Everything you need to know about the world's next tallest building

Following the news that the construction of the Jeddah Tower has restarted in Saudi Arabia, we outline the key facts about the megatall skyscraper that is set to be the tallest building in the world.

What is the Jeddah Tower?

The Jeddah Tower is a megatall skyscraper – a building that exceeds 600 metres in height – currently under construction in the port city of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. Once complete, it will be the world's tallest building.

It is also known as the Burj Jeddah and was previously called the Kingdom Tower.

How tall will Jeddah Tower be?

The final height has not been revealed, but the skyscraper is planned to be at least 1,001 metres tall, making it the world's first one-kilometre-tall building.

At 1,000 metres (3,281 feet), it will qualify as a megatall skyscraper. There are currently only three of these worldwide, including the 830-metre-tall Burj Khalifa in Dubai – the world's current tallest building.

Jeddah Tower will surpass the Burj Khalifa in height by at least 173 metres. While its total number of floors is yet to be confirmed, reports suggest there could be as many as 167 above ground, overtaking the 163 at the world's current tallest building in Dubai.

A website dedicated to the building states there will be 252 stories in total, though it is not confirmed how many of these will be above and how many will be below ground.

Who is designing Jeddah Tower?

Architect Adrian Smith is the mastermind behind the design. The architect, who heads up skyscraper specialist studio Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture in Chicago, was also the chief architect on the Burj Khalifa while working at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.

Smith's proposal is being developed with structural engineer Thornton Tomasetti, after the pair won a competition to design it together in 2009.

It was commissioned by investor Kingdom Holding Company and its partner business Jeddah Economic Company. It is reportedly expected to cost around $1.23 billion (£972 million).

What will Jeddah Tower look like?

The Jeddah Tower will have a tapered, three-sided silhouette built from reinforced concrete and steel and cloaked in glass.

Its narrowing form was designed to help reduce wind loads at its peak and also help maximise usable space on the upper levels by reducing the size of its concrete core.

According to Smith, the three-pronged shape is intended to evoke the fronds of a palm tree.

Another standout feature is expected to be a cantilevering steel balcony measuring 30 metres in diameter, which will project out from one of the penthouses at a height of around 600 metres.

Where is Jeddah Tower being built and why?

It is being designed as the heart of Jeddah Economic City, a 5.3-million-square-metre development along the coast of the Red Sea, 20 kilometres to the north of Jeddah.

Also known as the King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), the $20-billion development will be made up of a range of commercial and residential architecture, masterplanned by HOK Architects for Kingdom Holding Company. It is hoped to encourage investments and tourism in the country, forming part of the Saudi Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy.

What will Jeddah Tower contain?

The skyscraper will reportedly contain a mix of apartments and offices, an observation deck and a Four Seasons hotel.

Another key element of the finished building will be its elevator system. There are expected to be 56 lifts, moving as fast as 12 metres per second. Three lobbies will facilitate transfers between elevators serving different portions of the tower.

What is Jeddah Tower's current construction status?

As of October 2024, 63 floors of the Jeddah Tower had been constructed, reaching more than 250 metres in height.

Construction recently restarted at the site after it had been delayed and finally halted in 2018. At a resumption ceremony, concrete was poured on the 64th floor. A representative for Kingdom Holding Company said it planned to complete a floor every four days.

The building is supported by a network of 270 drilled concrete piles with a depth of up to 110 meters and a diameter of 1.8 metres. These connect to a five-metre-thick raft foundation.

Why is construction of Jeddah Tower taking so long?

The project has been plagued by delays for several reasons, including financial issues, the Covid-19 pandemic and technical challenges, such as those relating to a weak soil structure.

Among the biggest obstructions was when contractor Binladin Group was taken off the project. This was due to its owner Bakr bin Laden being arrested as part of the country's 2017 corruption purges, of which the economic repercussions also hindered progress. This firm has since been rehired to complete the construction work.

During these corruption purges, orchestrated by crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, the chairman of Kingdom Holding Company Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, who is heading up the project, was also detained. He was freed three months after his arrest.

When is Jeddah Tower due to complete?

In January, Kingdom Holding Company announced its latest timeline for the long-stalled project was targeting completion in 2028.

"Construction of the Jeddah Tower, a global symbol of ambition and progress, has officially restarted," it said at the time.

Construction of the record-breaking building began in 2013, two years after the designs were first revealed. It was originally expected to open in 2020.

The recent change in pace is thanks to new funding agreements, renewed contracts and technological advancements.

The post Everything you need to know about the world's next tallest building appeared first on Dezeen.