Construction Resumes on Jeddah Tower
After years of delays, construction of the Jeddah Tower, set to be the world's tallest skyscraper, has resumed in early May in Saudi Arabia.
Formerly known as the Kingdom Tower, the skyscraper upon completion will measure 1,000 meters tall, making it the first structure in history to reach a kilometer in height. It is part of a nearly $20 billion economic development project near the Red Sea and is among several mega-projects underway in the country, reported Newsweek.
Tower Design and Features
Designed by Chicago-based Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, the $1.2 billion Jeddah Tower will include a luxury hotel, offices, serviced apartments, and condos. On May 9, the architectural firm confirmed to Newsweek that construction has resumed. The tower derives its current name from its location in Jeddah, a major port city along the Red Sea and Saudi Arabia's second-largest city.
Begun in 2013, construction was halted in 2018 when lead contractor Binladin Group was removed following the arrest of its chairman Bakr bin Laden—Osama bin Laden's half-brother—in Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's anti-corruption campaign. The project was further delayed by COVID-19.
When construction was paused six years ago, roughly one-third of the structure had been completed, according to Architectural Digest. The tower's incomplete frame has stood in Jeddah ever since. Once finished, Jeddah Tower will surpass the Burj Khalifa in Dubai by 152 meters, which currently holds the record as the world's tallest building. It will also be more than double the height of the Empire State Building in New York City and seven times the height of the Statue of Liberty.
The tower will feature the world's highest observation deck, an advanced elevator system with 59 lifts carrying visitors at speeds of 10 meters per second. The tower's unique three-wing shape maximizes habitable space and window views, while its tapered design from base to top significantly reduces wind resistance at high altitudes.
Construction Timeline and Project Goals
The architectural firm projects the tower's completion in the next four to five years, with a new contractor to be announced in the coming weeks. The project aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to diversify the country's economy beyond oil and boost sectors such as health care, education, and tourism.
Summary
Saudi Arabia has resumed construction of Jeddah Tower, the future tallest building in the world. Standing at 1,000 meters tall, the $1.2 billion skyscraper will boast a unique three-wing design, world-class amenities, and the highest observation deck. Its completion within the next five years will mark a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia's ambitious economic diversification strategy.