The tallest skyscraper of all time will touch the sky and will be the greatest challenge of modern architecture

Since its completion in 2009, the Burj Khalifa has held the title of the tallest skyscraper in the world. Standing at 829.8 meters (2,722 feet) tall, this architectural marvel has been impressing tourists from all over the world for more than 15 years. However, this title is now being challenged by Saudi Arabia’s new mega-project.

Saudi Arabia has announced the resumption of construction on the Jeddah Tower, which is set to become the tallest skyscraper in the world. Formerly known as the Kingdom Tower until 2015, this building will reach a height of 1,000 meters (3,281 feet) and is part of a major plan to transform Jeddah into a global economic hub.

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The tower will cover an area of 243,866 square meters (2.6 million square feet) and rise one kilometer into the sky. Divided into 167 floors, the mega-structure will house a Four Seasons Hotel, luxury apartments by the same company, offices, high-end residences, and the world’s highest observation deck, located 664 meters (2,178 feet) above ground.

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The skyscraper will also feature 58 elevators, traveling at 10 meters per second (33 feet per second), and 12 escalators strategically placed throughout the tower. This will allow visitors to reach the top from the ground floor in approximately one minute and forty seconds.

Jeddah Tower has been designed by Adrian Smith, a globally recognized American architect celebrated for his work on the Burj Khalifa in Dubai and the Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago, among others.

A Complex Project

The Jeddah Tower project first began taking shape in 2008, with initial plans calling for a 1,600-meter (5,249-foot) skyscraper. However, later studies revealed that the ground could not support a building of that magnitude, leading to its reduction to 1,000 meters (3,281 feet).

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Construction officially began in 2013, with an estimated completion date of 2020. However, financial issues, the arrest of several executives on corruption charges, and the COVID-19 pandemic forced the project to be put on hold. The construction resumed in October 2024, with an expected completion date of 2028.