The comparison
Two of Asia's most celebrated supertalls from the 1990s and 2000s. Petronas Towers held the world's tallest title from 1998 to 2004 via twin steel spires that extend 73m above the highest occupied floor. Taipei 101 took the title in 2004 with its pagoda-inspired taper and a 60m spire that extends above floor 91. Both towers use spires as architectural signatures - and both show a significant Vanity Ratio as a result.
Architectural top vs Honest Height
Petronas Tower 1 - 17.0% vanity
Taipei 101 - 13.8% vanity
Occupied height. Vanity (non-occupiable structure).Vanity Ratio explained →
The honest take
The 1990s and 2000s were peak spire-war years. Petronas Towers' spires are structurally integral to the building's identity - they are the towers. Taipei 101's spire is more decorative. Both architects designed skyline monuments first and office buildings second. The honest height comparison shows Taipei 101 is the taller building where people work (438m vs 375m) even though Petronas Towers won the 1998 title race. By Vanity Ratio, Petronas is slightly more honest - 17% vs 13.8% for Taipei 101. A close match. Both are legitimately impressive.
See also: methodology · vanity height · Honest 100