Manhattanization is the transformation of the appearance and character of a city by constructing tall and densely situated buildings. It was a pejorative word used by critics of the highrise buildings going up in San Francisco during the 1960s and 1970s, who were concerned the skyscrapers would block views of the surrounding hills. The term "Manhattanization" has been applied to Miami recently, in an economic light.

Worldwide, Miami currently ranks second (and first in the United States) in the most buildings under construction that will be over 150 meters (492 feet), with 24. The Miami area (including the cities of Miami, Miami Beach, North Bay Village, Coral Gables, Aventura and Sunny Isles Beach) is currently undergoing a major building boom with over 80 highrise towers under construction, including the Biscayne Wall skyscrapers, like Ten Museum Park, Marina Blue, Marquis, 900 Biscayne Bay, Everglades on the Bay and Freedom Square. Miami's skyline also currently ranks third in the U.S. behind New York City and Chicago (18th in the world) according to the 2006 Almanac of Architecture and Design.