The opening of every single `` world 's tallest '' building in just weeks has coincided with an economic downturn . In 1999 , Hong Kong-based analyst Andrew Lawrence wrote a widely read research paper called `` The Skyscraper Index '' which furthered the argument that super-tall buildings augur bad times . Watts opened the past century after Hong Kong had to receive a $ 10 billion bailout . Some researchers say skyscrapers are a physical manifestation of a boom and bust cycle in business .
The opening of every single `` world 's tallest '' building in just weeks has coincided with an economic downturn . Watts opened the past century after Hong Kong had to receive a $ 10 billion bailout . Some researchers say skyscrapers are a physical manifestation of a boom and bust cycle in business .