Burj Khalifa in Dubai has long held the prestigious title of the world’s tallest skyscraper. But it seems the mighty tower’s position is under threat. Now, a new contender, the Jeddah Tower, a futuristic skyscraper planned in Saudi Arabia, aims to take up the title. The project to build a massive tower in Saudi Arabia was spearheaded by investor Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal.
According to Guinness World Records (GWR), the building now under development in Saudi Arabia will be taller than the Burj Khalifa when the construction is over. Jeddah Tower, also known as Kingdom Tower is expected to be over 1,000 m (1 km; 3,281 ft) tall. The Jeddah Economic Company structure will include luxury homes, office space, serviced apartments, and luxury condominiums.
It’s also touted to be home to the “world’s highest observatory.” The existing one is the University of Tokyo Atacama Observatory, which is located at a height of 5,640 m (18,503 ft). According to GWR, the construction of Jeddah Tower is expected to cost $1.23 billion.
Meanwhile, the massive Jeddah tower with 63 stories started being built between 2015 and 2017, after piling work was completed in December 2013 and above-ground construction began in September 2014. The ambitious project, however, was halted when two main investors became embroiled in legal issues. According to Reuters, key investors, including Prince Alwaleed and Bakr Bin Laden, were arrested in November 2017 on charges of money laundering, bribery, and extorting authorities.
The Jeddah Tower project is now back on track and under construction after more than five years. The tower’s administration has invited numerous firms to make bids for the project, which is one-third complete. The Jeddah Economic Company commissioned an independent study of the building’s current state prior to seeking bids.
The Jeddah Tower’s construction resumed in 2023 after a five-year hiatus, although no specific completion date has been set. However, if its reported size and facilities are realised, it appears that the Burj Khalifa may lose several of its record titles.
The Burj Khalifa in Dubai became the world’s tallest structure fourteen years ago, reaching a height of 828 metres. Its construction began in 2004 and was officially inaugurated in 2010. The structure was intended to be the focal point of a big, diversified development in the heart of Dubai.
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