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Seismic responses of high-rise buildings are dominated by the first few vibration modes; therefore, high-floor responses contain long predominant vibration periods. However, it may not be achievable to investigate the seismic performance of nonstructural facilities at high levels of high-rise buildings in the laboratory by using seismic shake tables because of the actuator stroke limitation. In this study, an advanced control strategy that incorporates a transfer system with modern control algorithms is proposed for shake tables to replicate high-floor responses of high-rise buildings subjected to earthquakes. First, design diagrams are proposed to determine the parameters of the transfer system. Then, a set of friction pendulums is adopted as the transfer system for the proof-of-concept stage. A mathematical model for the set of friction pendulums is developed for numerical studies prior to real experimental validation. Three linear controllers and three nonlinear controllers are designed and synthesized to verify the feasibility and applicability of the proposed strategy. Finally, the friction pendulum set is installed on a uniaxial shake table to replicate the roof responses of a 34-story building subjected to historical earthquakes. Experimental results demonstrate the proposed control strategy successfully replicates floor responses of the high-rise building that cannot be achieved formerly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]