Jeddah Tower set to surpass Burj Khalifa as world’s tallest skyscraper: Everything you need to know

Jeddah Tower is rising rapidly along Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast, set to become the tallest building in the world.

• Jeddah Tower will surpass Burj Khalifa as the world's tallest building.
• Tower will exceed 1,000 metres and feature luxury, business, and tourism spaces.
• Completion expected by 2028, marking Saudi Arabia's architectural ambition.

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Saudi Arabia is on the brink of rewriting architectural history with Jeddah Tower, a megastructure poised to overtake Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa as the world’s tallest building. Rising along the Red Sea coast, this ambitious project is more than just a skyscraper—it’s a symbol of Saudi Arabia’s vision for the future.

Jeddah Tower: A Vertical City on the Rise

Jeddah Tower is designed as a vertical city, integrating luxury living, corporate spaces, retail, hospitality, and observation decks within one massive structure. According to Newsweek, the tower recently surpassed 80 floors, marking a decisive milestone toward becoming the first man-made structure to exceed one kilometre in height.

Once completed, Jeddah Tower is expected to soar over 1,000 metres (3,280+ feet)—almost 200 metres taller than the Burj Khalifa—cementing Saudi Arabia’s place in the global race for architectural supremacy.

Engineering Marvels Behind Jeddah Tower

The tower’s design and engineering push the limits of modern construction. Designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, the same firm behind the Burj Khalifa, Jeddah Tower features:

• Aerodynamic tapered form to reduce wind pressure at extreme altitudes.
• Reinforced concrete and steel core for maximum structural stability.
• Advanced foundation systems capable of bearing enormous loads.
• Smart building technologies to monitor energy efficiency and safety.
• Energy-efficient facades and climate control systems for heat management and sustainability.

With 59 high-speed elevators—some of the fastest in the world—and 12 escalators, vertical transportation is engineered to handle its monumental height efficiently.

The under-construction Jeddah Tower

Planned Facilities and Amenities

Jeddah Tower is more than just a record-breaking building. Its mixed-use design will offer:

• Luxury hotels on lower and mid-levels.
• Elite apartments with panoramic Red Sea views.
• High-level corporate offices.
• Retail and hospitality districts.
• The world’s highest observation deck.

This combination of facilities positions the tower as a global tourism and business hub, in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 to diversify the economy beyond oil.

Timeline and Investment

Construction began in 2009 but stalled in 2018 due to local political shifts. Work resumed in 2024–2025, with completion expected by 2028.

The tower alone is estimated to cost over $1 billion, while the broader Jeddah Economic City project runs into tens of billions of dollars, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s ambition to:

• Attract international business and tourism.
• Generate long-term employment.
• Establish the kingdom as a leader in mega-infrastructure.

Burj Khalifa (Image: Canva)

Beating Burj Khalifa: More Than Just Height

Since 2010, the Burj Khalifa (828 metres) has stood as the world’s tallest building. Jeddah Tower’s completion will surpass it by nearly 200 metres, but the project is about more than breaking records. It represents:

• A new era of Middle Eastern architectural leadership.
• Saudi Arabia’s global economic confidence.
• A city-shaping development that extends beyond prestige.

Visible from miles away, Jeddah Tower will be a symbol of human ambition, blending engineering excellence with luxury living and sustainability.

What Makes Jeddah Tower Unique?

At over one kilometre tall, Jeddah Tower faces unprecedented engineering challenges. From wind forces and material stress to vertical transportation and climate control, every aspect of the design is carefully planned to ensure safety, efficiency, and comfort.

It is not just a building—it is a statement of intent, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s efforts to reshape its cities and project a bold, modern image to the world.