On the rise: Jeddah Tower soars past Burj Khalifa's midpoint

Jeddah Tower, slated to become the world's tallest skyscraper, has made significant progress, surpassing half the height of Dubai's Burj Khalifa, which stands at 828 metres. Originally named Kingdom Tower, the ambitious project is designed to reach over a kilometre in height, making it the first building globally to exceed this mark.

Adrian Smith, the architect behind the Burj Khalifa, is also responsible for Jeddah Tower. Once completed in 2028, the tower will house a luxury hotel, residences, office spaces, and more. AS+GG, the architectural firm leading the project, has incorporated a sky terrace and promises 59 lifts, positioning the building with the highest observatory in the world.

However, the journey has not been without challenges. Construction began in 2013, but setbacks such as labour shortages, senior official arrests, and the COVID-19 pandemic led to delays. Most recently, construction resumed in 2025, and the tower has rapidly gained height, moving from 63 floors in January to 100 floors in April alone.

By the time construction concludes, the building will have risen from its current 107 floors (approximately 430 metres) to a staggering 167 floors, potentially surpassing the 1,000-metre threshold.

The tower's chairman, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, expressed optimism on Twitter, stating that work continues and the completion of the world's tallest tower is in sight. Jeddah Tower will serve as the focal point of Jeddah Economic City, a new district in the Red Sea city planned to span 5.3 million square metres and include offices, residences, parks, and other amenities.

Looking forward, the Arabian Gulf region is poised for more mega-tall skyscrapers. Dubai's Burj Azizi, currently under construction, aims to reach 725 metres and is scheduled for completion in 2028. While UAE's proposed Dubai Creek Tower, also intended to surpass 1,000 metres, has faced delays due to supply chain and logistical challenges, the enthusiasm for constructing even taller buildings in the region persists.