Construction of Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah Tower is advancing at a remarkable pace. When completed, it will become the first building in history to rise more than one kilometer into the sky, fundamentally redefining the limits of vertical construction. At over 1,000 meters tall, the tower will surpass Dubai’s Burj Khalifa by roughly 172 to 180 meters, securing its position as the world’s tallest building.
Since construction resumed in January 2025, progress has accelerated rapidly. The structure has already reached nearly 80 floors, with crews adding a new floor every three to four days. Building to a height of one kilometer introduces challenges far beyond those of conventional skyscrapers, from managing extreme wind loads and material logistics to maintaining precision across unprecedented vertical distances. For a megatall tower of this scale, the pace of construction is exceptional.
Designed by Adrian Smith, who also co-designed the Burj Khalifa, Jeddah Tower integrates advanced structural and environmental systems engineered to perform at extreme heights and in harsh desert conditions. High-speed elevators capable of traveling at more than 10 meters per second will move occupants efficiently through a structure expected to exceed 160 floors.
At its base, the tower is supported by a massive hybrid piled-raft foundation. This system features a five-meter-thick concrete mat spanning more than 7,500 square meters, anchored by 270 deep bored piles extending up to 110 meters into limestone and coral rock. The foundation provides the stability required for a structure of unprecedented height and weight.
Jeddah Tower will be fully mixed-use, housing a Four Seasons Hotel, luxury residences, serviced apartments, and premium office space. A sky-high observation deck will offer panoramic views of Jeddah and the Red Sea, highlighting the engineering precision required to make such elevated spaces both safe and accessible.
The project’s timeline has not been straightforward. Originally known as the Kingdom Tower, construction was halted for several years before work resumed in 2025. With completion now targeted for 2028 and momentum firmly restored, Jeddah Tower is once again advancing toward its place in architectural history.