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.
U.S. authorities say they have thwarted an ISIS‑inspired terrorist attack planned for New Year’s Eve in the town of Mint Hill, North Carolina, arr...
Yemen’s southern separatists have announced plans to hold a referendum on independence from the north within two years, a move likely to further esc...
Russian airstrikes have devasted apartment buildings in a residential area of Kharkiv, north-eastern Ukraine, injuring at least 25 people according to...
A 6.5-magnitude earthquake has struck the southern state of Guerrero in Mexico....
Suhail Shaheen, Afghanistan’s ambassador in Doha, has again urged the United Nations to transfer Afghanistan’s seat at the UN to the Taliban-led a...
U.S. authorities say they have thwarted an ISIS‑inspired terrorist attack planned for New Year’s Eve in the town of Mint Hill, North Carolina, arresting an 18‑year‑old suspect just hours before the alleged assault was due to take place.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said he would have a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday to discuss peace efforts between Ukraine and Russia as well as issues surrounding Gaza.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 2nd of January, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Democrat Zohran Mamdani officially took office as New York City’s mayor on Thursday, beginning his term with a public swearing-in ceremony on the steps of City Hall.
Dozens of people are feared dead and around 100 others injured after an explosion tore through a crowded bar during New Year’s Eve celebrations at the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, authorities said.
Russian athletes will not be allowed to represent their country at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics even if a peace deal is reached with Ukraine, International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry said in an interview with an Italian newspaper.
At least 47 people were killed and 112 injured after a fire broke out at a crowded bar in the Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana during New Year’s Eve celebrations, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told Italian media on Thursday.
India has approved a major arms deal with Israel valued at approximately $8.7 billion, highlighting the deepening defence partnership between the two countries.
A 6.5-magnitude earthquake has struck the southern state of Guerrero in Mexico.
The United Nations on Friday voiced serious concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Sudan, warning that rising violence is increasingly affecting civilians.
Ukrainian officials reported on Friday that thousands of children and their parents were evacuated from frontline areas in the Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions as Russian forces continued to advance.
Yemen’s southern separatists have announced plans to hold a referendum on independence from the north within two years, a move likely to further escalate tensions as Saudi-backed government forces seek to retake territory seized by the group last month.
A 6.5-magnitude earthquake has struck the southern state of Guerrero in Mexico.
Suhail Shaheen, Afghanistan’s ambassador in Doha, has again urged the United Nations to transfer Afghanistan’s seat at the UN to the Taliban-led administration, arguing the current arrangement no longer reflects realities in the country.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment