EXPLAINER - Inside 'Jeddah Tower', aiming to become the world’s tallest building

On the shores of the Red Sea, a bold architectural vision is taking shape. The Jeddah Tower, once called the Kingdom Tower, is set to become the world’s tallest building, with developers saying it's a structure that doesn’t just redefine skylines, but reimagines what cities of the future could be.

Rising in the northern part of Jeddah, a city historically known as the gateway to Makkah and Madinah, the Jeddah Tower represents more than engineering ambition.

The official website says it’s the physical embodiment of Saudi Arabia’s transformation, a sign of modernity, innovation, and global presence.

Jeddah itself has experienced rapid urban growth over the past decades, yet this expansion reveals deep-rooted challenges: fragmented development, overstretched infrastructure, and a housing crisis worsened by the devastating 2010 floods.

To address these issues, the Saudi government introduced a long-term revitalisation plan focused on improving housing, accessibility, and urban planning with the Jeddah Tower, as a symbol of renewal and confidence.

Reaching beyond limits

When completed, the Jeddah Tower will rise over one kilometre, surpassing Dubai’s Burj Khalifa by more than 170 metres. Its total construction area, approximately 530,000 square metres, will host an extraordinary mix of residential, commercial, and hospitality spaces, including:

Luxury apartments and penthouses

Premium offices and corporate suites

A five-star hotel and serviced residences

A panoramic observation deck with views of the Red Sea

In total, it will offer 57 million square feet of usable space, essentially creating a vertical city that blends work, life, and leisure in one breathtaking structure.

Design and engineering marvel

The tower’s visionary design comes from world-renowned architect Adrian Smith, the same creative mind behind the Burj Khalifa.

His concept, unveiled in 2010, faced early challenges due to the geological composition of the Jeddah coast. After extensive soil studies, construction began in 2013, with a 7,500-square-metre foundation, one of the deepest and most complex in the world.

The high-altitude environment posed unique engineering challenges. To withstand intense desert winds, saline humidity, and temperature fluctuations, engineers developed special high-strength concrete and corrosion-resistant materials.

The sleek, tapered structure not only maximises stability but also ensures aerodynamic efficiency, reducing wind pressure as the tower ascends.

The development of the Jeddah Tower is part of a three-phase plan:

 Construction of the tower itself

 Infrastructure development for the surrounding area

 Expansion and urban integration, details of which are yet to be revealed

At the centre of these plans lies Jeddah Economic City, a vast $20 billion project envisioned as a new global business and lifestyle hub.

Designed to attract investors, innovators, and residents, the city aims to create a sustainable urban ecosystem, reducing car dependency and expanding access to social amenities and green spaces.

The Jeddah Economic City project was launched by the Kingdom Holding Company, owned by Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal.

His goal was to position Jeddah as a world-class metropolis, a regional rival to Dubai, Doha, and Riyadh.

The project aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, an ambitious plan to diversify the economy beyond oil and foster a knowledge-driven, globally connected society.

Challenges and resilience

Like many megaprojects of its scale, the Jeddah Tower has faced interruptions — from economic fluctuations to contractor disputes and the pandemic-related slowdown.

Construction paused in 2018 but has since resumed under renewed leadership and investment.

Despite these hurdles, the project remains a statement of persistence. 

Beyond its staggering height, the Jeddah Tower represents a shift in how cities think vertically. It symbolises ambition anchored in sustainability, an effort to prove that even in arid, challenging environments, innovation can thrive.

When completed, the tower will not only claim a world record but stand as a monument to modern engineering and a milestone in Saudi Arabia’s evolution.

Construction is expected to conclude by 2028, when the Jeddah Tower officially takes its place as the tallest building on Earth.

From its summit, visitors will see not only the Red Sea and Jeddah’s growing skyline, but also the reflection of a nation reaching new heights.

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