Saudi Arabia’s upcoming skyscraper, Jeddah Tower, is on track to surpass Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa, claiming the title of the world’s tallest building. With a projected height of over 1 kilometer, Jeddah Tower will not only redefine city skylines but will also feature the world’s highest observatory, among other notable distinctions.
This monumental project, also known as the Kingdom Tower, aims to offer a blend of corporate offices, luxury residences, and high-end hotels, serving as the centerpiece of the broader Jeddah Economic City development. The district, located on the Red Sea coast, is expected to become a major hub of commerce and tourism in the region.
One of the unique design elements of Jeddah Tower is its “three-petal footprint,” designed to minimize wind load and provide aerodynamic stability. Another impressive feature is the high-speed lift system, capable of traveling at 10 meters per second, which will help residents and visitors navigate the tower’s vast height.
Construction on the skyscraper began in 2013 but faced significant delays due to various factors, including the 2017–2019 Saudi Arabian purge and the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2018, the project came to a halt when Bakr bin Laden, president of the contractor company BinLaden Group, was arrested during the purge. However, construction resumed in September 2023, bringing new life to the ambitious project.
The estimated cost of Jeddah Tower is $1.2 billion, and it will anchor a $20-billion mixed-use development, incorporating residential, commercial, and entertainment components. The construction timeline has faced significant hurdles, but with work back on track, the tower is expected to be completed in the coming years, potentially by the mid-2020s.
With its completion, Jeddah Tower will not only be the tallest building in the world but also symbolize Saudi Arabia’s commitment to ambitious and groundbreaking projects as part of its Vision 2030 initiative. The tower’s unique features and record-breaking height are anticipated to draw global attention and place Jeddah at the forefront of modern architecture and engineering
