<P> Construction on the 101 - story tower started in 1999 and finished in 2004 . The tower has served as an icon of modern Taiwan ever since its opening . The building was architecturally created as a symbol of the evolution of technology and Asian tradition . Its postmodernist approach to style incorporates traditional design elements and gives them modern treatments . The tower is designed to withstand typhoons and earthquakes . A multi-level shopping mall adjoining the tower houses hundreds of stores, restaurants and clubs . Fireworks launched from Taipei 101 feature prominently in international New Year's Eve broadcasts and the structure appears frequently in travel literature and international media . </P> <P> Taipei 101 is owned by Taipei Financial Center Corporation . The name that was originally planned for the building, Taipei World Financial Center, until 2003, was derived from the name of the owner . </P> <P> Taipei 101 comprises 101 floors above ground, as well as 5 basement levels . It was not only the first building in the world to break the half - kilometer mark in height, but also the world's tallest building from March 2004 to 10 March 2010 . As of 28 July 2011, it is still the world's largest and highest - use green building . </P> <P> Upon its completion, Taipei 101 was the world's tallest inhabited building, at 509.2 m (1,671 ft) as measured to its height architectural top (spire), exceeding the Petronas Towers, which were previously the tallest inhabited skyscraper at 451.9 m (1,483 ft). The height to the top of the roof, at 449.2 m (1,474 ft), and highest occupied floor, at 439.2 m (1,441 ft), surpassed the previous records of 442 m (1,450 ft) and 412.4 m (1,353 ft), respectively; the Willis Tower had previously held that distinction . It also surpassed the 85 - story, 347.5 m (1,140 ft) Tuntex Sky Tower in Kaohsiung as the tallest building in Taiwan and the 51 - story, 244.15 m (801 ft) Shin Kong Life Tower as the tallest building in Taipei . Taipei 101 claimed the official records for the world's tallest sundial and the world's largest New Year's Eve countdown clock . </P>

How many floors does the taipei 101 have