The world’s tallest skyscraper rising in Jeddah to beat Burj Khalifa — here are its top features

Saudi Arabia’s long-awaited Jeddah Tower is once again climbing skyward. After years of uncertainty, construction has reached a major new milestone. The project is now firmly back on track to overtake Dubai’s Burj Khalifa and redefine the global skyline, as per a report by Newsweek.


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Why does the Jeddah Tower milestone matter?

The Saudi government’s decision to restart construction on Jeddah Tower signals a renewed commitment to major infrastructure projects aimed at diversifying the economy beyond oil. The tower is a centerpiece of a broader national development strategy that includes multiple high-profile megaprojects across the kingdom.

After being stalled for years, the visible progress has helped restore confidence in one of the world’s most ambitious architectural undertakings, as per a report by Newsweek.

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How high has construction reached so far?

Structural engineering firm Thornton Tomasetti confirmed this week that more than 80 floors were completed by December 2025. The building is ultimately expected to rise to around 130 floors, pushing its total height beyond 1,000 meters, or 3,280 feet.

Once finished, Jeddah Tower will surpass the Burj Khalifa in the United Arab Emirates, currently the world’s tallest building, which was also designed by Adrian Smith of Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture.

What makes Jeddah Tower unique?

The mixed-use tower is designed to span 57 million square feet and include a luxury hotel, office spaces, serviced apartments, high-end condominiums, and the world’s highest observation deck.

Because of its extreme height, the tower will rely on one of the most advanced elevator systems ever built. Plans call for 59 elevators, 54 single-deck and five double-deck, along with 12 escalators. The exterior wall system has been engineered to reduce thermal loads and lower energy consumption, as per a report by Newsweek.


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Why was the project delayed for years?

Construction on Jeddah Tower began in 2009 but was halted in 2018 following political purges in Saudi Arabia that affected contractors working on the project. The pause left the unfinished tower as a symbol of stalled ambition until the government announced its revival, as per a report by Newsweek.

Thornton Tomasetti said in a statement Tuesday, “Jeddah Tower, Saudi Arabia’s landmark megatall mixed-use tower, made significant construction progress in 2025, surpassing 80 floors in December. When completed, it will exceed 1,000 meters (3,280 feet), becoming the first human-made structure to reach a full kilometer."

Construction activity continues to accelerate, with completion still targeted for 2028. AS+GG partner Robert Forest previously told Newsweek, “Construction activities have ramped up, and the atmosphere on site is robust. The entire team is committed and focused on realizing this iconic structure for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."


Saudi Arabia is also pursuing other record-breaking towers, including a planned Trump Tower in Jeddah and the $5-billion Rise Tower in Riyadh.


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FAQs

How tall will Jeddah Tower be when finished?

It is designed to exceed 1,000 meters, making it the tallest building in the world.



When is Jeddah Tower expected to open?

The project is currently expected to be completed by 2028.