Forget Burj Khalifa! This country is building the world's tallest tower and it's not US or UAE
TL;DR
Saudi Arabia has resumed construction on
Jeddah Tower
, set to surpass Dubai's Burj Khalifa in height
Once completed, it will become the tallest building in the world, over 1,000 meters
The tower is a key part of
Saudi Vision 2030
, linked to a $20 billion urban development in Jeddah
A record-breaking skyscraper is coming and it's not in Dubai, the US, or China. Saudi Arabia has restarted construction on Jeddah Tower, a mega skyscraper that will soon claim the title of the world's tallest building.
Rising more than 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) above the ground, the project aims to surpass Dubai's Burj Khalifa, which currently stands at 828 meters. Once finished, the Jeddah Tower will not only break height records, it will also reshape the skyline of Jeddah, a port city on the Red Sea, and cement Saudi Arabia's position in the global race for architectural innovation and urban development.
Work had stopped for years.
But now, construction is back in full swing. With new floors being added every few days, the tower is once again moving toward its ambitious finish line, part of a broader push under Saudi Vision 2030 to transform the Kingdom's economy and global image.
The comeback of Jeddah Tower
The Jeddah Tower was first announced in 2011, and construction began in 2013. But by 2018, work came to a halt due to political and financial issues. For years, the project remained in limbo.
In late 2023, the developer invited new bids, signaling a restart. Construction officially resumed in January 2025. Work is now underway on the 64th floor, with crews reportedly completing a new floor every four days. The tower's core is being built using advanced vertical concrete-pumping technology, which has already reached a height of 2,624 feet, an engineering milestone.
Part of a city-scale development
Jeddah Tower isn't being built in isolation.
It's the centerpiece of the Jeddah Economic City project, a $20 billion masterplan covering homes, schools, hospitals, commercial offices, and public infrastructure. The wider development is expected to support a population of more than 100,000 people, making it a full-scale urban hub.
The tower will include 157 floors, 59 elevators, a luxury hotel, residences, office spaces, and what's projected to be the world's highest observation deck.
For Saudi Arabia, this isn't just about holding a world record. It's about building a modern, sustainable urban model that reflects the country's ambitions beyond oil.
The architect behind Burj Khalifa is aiming even higher
The man behind the Jeddah Tower design is Adrian Smith, the same architect who led the design of the Burj Khalifa. This time, he's working with his firm Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture to go further, not just in height, but in design efficiency and sustainability.
His team is using innovative structural systems to ensure the building can withstand the extreme conditions of height, heat, and coastal weather. In many ways, this project is Smith's second attempt at pushing the boundaries of what a skyscraper can be.
A bold statement for Saudi Vision 2030
The Jeddah Tower is one of the most visible symbols of Saudi Vision 2030, the Kingdom's plan to shift its economy away from oil and become a center for business, culture, and tourism.
Projects like NEOM and the Red Sea development are part of this larger strategy. But Jeddah Tower, by sheer scale and global attention, is arguably its most iconic.
If completed by the target date of 2028, it will be a clear signal that Saudi Arabia is serious about leading the next era of urban innovation and high-rise engineering.
FAQs
Q: How tall will Jeddah Tower be compared to Burj Khalifa?
Jeddah Tower is planned to reach over 3,280 feet (1,000+ meters). That's roughly 560 feet taller than the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.
Q: Why was the project delayed for so long?
Construction paused in 2018 due to labor and political issues but work officially resumed in January 2025 after a proposal phase began in late 2023
Q: When is the expected completion date?
The tower is currently projected to be completed by 2028, but that may shift depending on construction pace.
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