Construction of the world’s tallest skyscraper, 1 km high, resumes: where is it and when will it be finished?

Construction on the Jeddah Tower, poised to become the world’s tallest skyscraper at a height of 1,000 meters (3,281 feet), has officially resumed after a significant hiatus of nearly seven years. Located in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, this ambitious project aims to surpass the height of the Burj Khalifa by 172 meters (564 feet) and is designed by the architectural firm Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill.

Initially launched in 2013, construction faced multiple setbacks, including a pause in 2018 due to labor issues and a corruption investigation that affected key stakeholders. The project was also impacted by the covid-19 pandemic, leading to delays that left approximately one-third of the tower completed by the time work halted.

As of now, the tower has reached 63 floors out of a planned 157, with foundational work already completed.

Upon its anticipated completion, Jeddah Tower will feature a mixed-use design, housing a Four Seasons hotel, residential units, office spaces, and the world’s highest observation deck. The tower’s innovative design includes a sleek glass façade inspired by desert palm trees and an advanced elevator system capable managing 59 elevators at once.

“Before (the tower) was here, this was not considered a place that people would live,” said chief development officer Hisham Jomah, who has passed away. “We are creating an independent city… so that you don’t have to leave here.”