Latest news with #AdrianSmith+GordonGillArchitecture
Newsweek
a day ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Construction Soars Up on World's Tallest Building: 'Unprecedented Heights'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The world's tallest building—the Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia—is expected to be completed by August 2028, with construction having been "ramped up," the architectural firm behind it told Newsweek. Designed by American architect Adrian Smith, who cofounded the Chicago-based firm Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture (AS+GG), the Jeddah Tower will reach "unprecedented heights," its developers describe. Soaring at over 3,280 feet high, upon completion it will surpass the current world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, which was also designed by Smith. Located in the northern part of Obhur, a bay located just north of the city of Jeddah, the new skyscraper will be at least 568 feet taller than the Burj Khalifa and form the centerpiece of the $20 billion Jeddah Economic City development, formerly known as the Kingdom City. A view of the Jeddah Tower under construction in July 2025 (left); a rendering of the exterior of the tower (right). A view of the Jeddah Tower under construction in July 2025 (left); a rendering of the exterior of the tower (right). Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture AS+GG, Sharing an image of the tower under construction captured by architect Robert Forest, a partner at AS+GG, during a site visit in July, a spokesperson for the firm told Newsweek, "The construction schedule reflects August of 2028 completion," adding that "the tower has been constructed to Core Level 69, which will be reached this week." "The wings follow about five to 10 floors behind," the firm said, adding that "50 percent of the concrete has been placed." The mixed-use building will feature a luxury hotel, office space, apartments and condominiums, as well as a sky terrace at its 157th level, which will be the world's highest observatory. Forest told Newsweek: "Construction activities have ramped up, and the atmosphere on site is robust. The entire team is committed and focused on realizing this iconic structure for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia." A rendering of showing the tip of the Jeddah Tower. A rendering of showing the tip of the Jeddah Tower. Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture AS+GG, The design of the tower was inspired by a "vision to establish a striking form while keeping the structure simple," architect Gordon Gill, a partner at AS+GG, told Newsweek. "As it developed, the overall ethos of 'new growth' for KSA [Kingdom of Saudi Arabia] was defined by the symbolic palm fronds. Today, the building is very consistent with the palm-frond concept." Its exterior design "evokes a bundle of leaves shooting up from the ground—a burst of new life," while the tower's sleek, streamlined form references "the folded fronds of young desert plant growth," the firm describes on its website. The building's "high-performance exterior wall system" aims to minimize energy consumption by reducing thermal loads. The tower's three sides will have a series of notches that create pockets of shadow to shield parts of the building from the sun and provide outdoor terraces with views of Jeddah and the Red Sea, the firm adds. Renderings of the base of the Jeddah Tower (left) and its observation desk (right). Renderings of the base of the Jeddah Tower (left) and its observation desk (right). Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture AS+GG, The tower will also feature "one of the world's most-sophisticated elevator systems," consisting of 59 elevators, including 54 single-deck and five double-deck elevators, along with 12 escalators. "Elevators serving the observatory will travel at a rate of 10 meters [33 feet] per second in both directions," the firm says. Construction of this new supertall skyscraper, which refers to buildings that are 300 meters (around 984 feet) or higher, first began around 2013 before it was plagued by delays and halted for years due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Construction officially began again in January this year. Gill said: "No changes have occurred since the restart. The masterplan is proceeding, and the development of a new bridge over the creek will link the project directly to the Jeddah city core." While the firm told Newsweek that the estimated current total cost of the Jeddah Tower is "confidential," the tower is expected to cost $1.2 billion to construct, according to the firm's website. A view of the base of the Jeddah Tower, located in the northern part of Obhur, a bay located just north of the city of Jeddah. A view of the base of the Jeddah Tower, located in the northern part of Obhur, a bay located just north of the city of Jeddah. Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture AS+GG, Do you have an architecture, design or travel-related story to share? Let us know via life@ and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Forget Burj Khalifa! This country is building the world's tallest tower and it's not US or UAE
Jeddah Tower construction progresses, set to become the world's tallest skyscraper/ Image Composite: Wikipedia, 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.
CairoScene
17-02-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
Jeddah Tower: Work Resumes on the World's Tallest Skyscraper
Set for completion in 2028, Jeddah Tower will surpass Dubai's Burj Khalifa, the current tallest building, by 173 metres. Feb 17, 2025 Construction on the Jeddah Tower - set to become the world's tallest skyscraper - is back in motion. Designed by Chicago-based studio Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, the skyscraper was originally slated for completion in 2020, but construction stalled due to prolonged delays. Now, with work officially resuming, developer Kingdom Holding Company has announced a new completion target for 2028. Planned to ascend to at least 1,001 metres, Jeddah Tower will surpass Dubai's Burj Khalifa by at least 173 metres, claiming the title of the world's tallest building. Formerly known as Kingdom Tower, this mixed-use skyscraper will house a Four Seasons hotel, office spaces, serviced apartments, luxury condominiums, and the world's highest observatory, redefining Jeddah's skyline with its pointed allure. Draped in glass, the structure glides from a triangular footprint with a sleek, sloping façade, gradually tapering to a sharp peak. Subtle recesses carved through its surface lend it an asymmetrical allure that shifts with the light, creating a dynamic illusion, as if the tower itself is unfurling beneath the sun. Photography Credit: Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture
