Skyscrapers are typically constructed to endure 50-100-150 years. Some modern buildings have been able still to function after even longer periods - the Burj Khalifa in Dubai remains one of the world's highest buildings and it has done so for almost entirely due to its design which makes it extremely resistant to weathering damage.
That said, most skyscrapers are not built with re-use in mind. Once their use as offices is over, they are rarely if ever repaired or upgraded. As a result, many of them begin to show signs of deterioration after just 10-20 years and must be either replaced or modified into some other use. In addition, the materials used in their construction are highly toxic when discarded so they can't simply be left in the environment without causing harm to wildlife or people who might come into contact with them.
The best option is probably to convert them into something else. There have been cases where this has been done successfully (such as the Chicago Board of Trade which now houses a museum instead) but it usually involves demolishing the building first.
Aside from natural disasters such as massive earthquakes or terrorist attacks, the basic answer to your issue is that with proper care, a skyscraper may live hundreds, if not thousands, of years. That's because they are made out of concrete, which is a material that has been used since the 1920s and isn't going anywhere any time soon.
The world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, was built in 2009 and stands 2128 feet tall. It is made out of reinforced concrete that was poured into large molds and left undisturbed for up to five years before being finished off with paint and lights. The fact that it is still standing after only about a year of use shows how strong this material is.
Most buildings today are made out of steel or glass, which are much more fragile materials to work with. If you wanted to build a house out of these types of materials, then you would need to assemble them together with some type of adhesive, such as wood glue or polyurethane foam. Then, once all the parts are joined together, you would need to cover the whole thing with a layer of paint or varnish to protect it from the elements.
Concrete buildings are also very energy-efficient.
A standard skyscraper has a lifespan of 500 years, whereas "special construction" has a lifespan of 1,000 years. Maintenance costs account for about 10% of the building's cost; other factors include fuel consumption and environmental concerns.
The world's tallest building, The Burj Khalifa in Dubai, is also believed to be the most energy-efficient, using less than 13% of its total capacity of oil products. It is also designed to be environmentally friendly, using much of its water from the Arabian Desert rather than importing it from far away. Its LED lights are said to use 90% less energy than normal lamps.
It was built in the shape of a cross for the Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha. The four arms of the cross correspond to the directions of Mecca for Muslims around the world.
It has been suggested that the tower be made entirely out of cardboard or some similar material because it uses very little steel. However, this claim cannot be verified since the building is still standing after more than 100 years.
According to a recent Getty Center colloquium, the average life lifetime of a normally built structure (masonry and wood) is around 120 years. However, it is half that for modernist structures (reinforced concrete and glass curtain wall): 60 years. The reason for this disparity is material degradation and deterioration caused by environmental factors such as wind, rain, and snow. Environmental factors can cause an otherwise sound building to fail prematurely if adequate maintenance isn't performed.
The good news is that a building's lifespan can be extended by updating old systems and technologies with new ones. For example, fireproofing the exterior of a building is recommended because it reduces its risk of damage or destruction. Interior renovations can increase property values and help attract more customers, thus increasing revenue.
Building longevity is also affected by location. For example, if a building is located in a highly polluted area, it may need additional ventilation or air conditioning to remain comfortable. Location is also important because it determines how much sunlight or heat enters the building and how much moisture is present in the surrounding soil. If a building is located in a dry climate, then it should be designed to absorb any moisture that does enter its system.
Cost is another factor that affects how long a building will last. Old buildings require more maintenance than new ones because they have many more problems to fix.
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