The Brazilian city earning the title ‘Dubai of South America’

Balneario Camboriu (BC) is a relatively small coastal city in the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, but with an outsized ambition.

Recently, it has become Brazil’s sky-high playground with a flurry of skyscraper construction that has gained global attention.

According to the non-profit Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), Balneario Camboriu has become the tallest city in South America.

It is currently home to three of the continent’s five tallest buildings, and is dubbed the “Dubai of South America”.

It does not stop there. 

Recently, Italian design house Pininfarina has announced that Yachthouse has become the tallest building in Brazil.

The "Yachthouse" project contains two 81-storey residential skyscrapers that each reach 294 metres high (964 feet) – only 6 metres from the “supertall” skyscraper designation.

These twin towers owned by local developer Pasqualotto & GT, contain luxury residences and were designed to be an "architectural icon" in the city.

Balneário Camboriú is known for its ingenuity and vision that encourage developers to build higher and bolder.

Soon, city will also boast the tallest residential skyscraper in the world, cementing its status as a “vertical wonderland”.

Balneário Camboriú has become synonymous with a glitzy coastal paradise where the skyline is climbing as fast as the city’s reputation. 

Nestled along the Santa Catarina coast, this once-modest beach town has transformed into South America’s skyscraper capital.

Dubbed the “Dubai of Brazil”, Balneário Camboriú is a combo of glamour, luxury, and architectural ambition. 

The city’s skyline has been skyrocketing over the last decade, reshaping what was once a sleepy surf town into a playground for the elite. 

With towering glass-and-steel structures reflecting the Atlantic’s shimmering waves, it’s a place where high-rises meet high life.

Among the city’s architectural marvels stand the Yachthouse Towers — soaring at 281 meters (922 feet), they currently hold the title of South America’s tallest buildings. 

But Balneário Camboriú isn’t content with just breaking local records. 

The upcoming One Tower is set to surpass them, reaching an astounding 365 metres (1,197 feet), making it the tallest residential building on the planet. 

Talk about living the high life — literally.

Now, the city authorities have approved, the Triumph Tower, a 544 meter skyscraper.

Despite its rapid urban growth, Balneário Camboriú is still a beach town at heart.

To combat the growing shadows cast by its skyscrapers, the city recently expanded its shoreline — pumping sand from the ocean floor to widen the beach by 70 meters (230 feet). 

The result? More sunshine, more space, and an even grander view of the towering giants above.

As Balneário Camboriú prepares to welcome the world’s tallest residential skyscraper, the city continues its ascent — both physically and culturally. 

Whether you come for the beaches, the nightlife, or the chance to live among the clouds, one thing is certain:

It looks like that in Balneário Camboriú, the only way is up.

“Skylines shape societies,” says author Jason M. Barr author of Cities in the Sky (The Quest to Build the World’s Tallest Skyscrapers). 

“And skyscrapers underpin urban economic and cultural vibrancy, creating dense hubs for human activity.”