Although no longer the tallest building on earth, the CN Tower will remain in the Guinness Book of World Records as the tallest telecommunications tower.
The building of the Burj Dubai tower in the United Arab Emirates was a blow to the icon of Toronto's skyline. When it is completed, the Burj Dubai will come in at more than 800 metres in height - well above the 553 metres of the CN Tower.
The Canadian tower has not taken well to its dethroning, and still advertises itself as the "World's tallest building." Now, it can shift gears, and hold on to the title of tallest telecommunications tower. (The Burj Dubai has too much usable space to qualify in that category).
"I can confirm that the Toronto icon will retain its record, as a tower is defined ... as a building in which less than 50 per cent of the construction is usable floor space," said Craig Glenday, editor-in-chief of Guinness World Records.
The CN Tower was completed in 1975. It is a major tourist attraction, but also broadcasts TV, radio and cellphone signals.
But the tower better enjoy it's title while it lasts. China's Guangzhou TV Tower - set to come in at 57 metres taller than the CN Tower - is nearing completion,, according to the Chicago-based Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.
Guinness officials will celebrate the launch of the book's 2010 edition at an event at the CN Tower on Monday afternoon.