One of multiple newer high-rise towers in Downtown New Brunswick, New Jersey, U.S., a cultural and educational district undergoing gentrification.

High-rise office building of the European Central Bank headquarters, Frankfurt
A high-rise building is a tall building, as opposed to a low-rise building and is defined by its height differently in various jurisdictions. It is used as a residential, office building, or other functions including hotel, retail, or with multiple purposes combined. A residential high-rise building is also called tower block and may be referred to as an « MDU », standing for « Multi Dwelling Unit ». A very tall high-rise building is referred to as a skyscraper.

High-rise buildings became possible with the invention of the elevator (lift) and less expensive, more abundant building materials. The materials used for the structural system of high-rise buildings are reinforced concrete and steel. Most North American style skyscrapers have a steel frame, while residential blocks are usually constructed of concrete. There is no clear difference between a tower block and a skyscraper, although a building with fifty or more stories is generally considered a skyscraper