Voluntary building demolition refers to a decision by a landowner or governing authority to demolish a building for various reasons, such as severe structural damage or land redevelopment. Involuntary (or unplanned) demolitions, such as a building collapsing during an earthquake or a terrorist attack, are excluded from this list. Similarly, structures that are not buildings, including roller coasters, drop towers, chimneys, telecommunication or observation towers, and guyed masts, are not included.
The demolition of especially tall buildings presents unique challenges, particularly when their location is within densely populated areas of their respective cities. They are most often deconstructed floor-by-floor down to the basement, as opposed to controlled implosion of the structure, which would most likely damage surrounding structures.
The following list includes the tallest demolished buildings, with a height of at least .