The Jeddah Tower is Future Tallest Skyscrapers with 1KM long, Costs $2 Billion and Comparison With Burj Khalifa.
In the ever-evolving world of architecture, few structures capture the imagination like ultra-tall skyscrapers. The Burj Khalifa in Dubai currently holds the title of the tallest building in the world. However, a new contender, the Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia, is poised to eclipse it. This blog dives deep into everything you need to know about the Jeddah Tower project-from cost and height to construction status and comparisons with Burj Khalifa.
Burj Khalifa, The Current Giant
- Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Height: 828 meters (2,717 feet)
- Floors: 163+2 additional mechanical floors.
- Completion Year: 2010
- Total Cost: Approximately $1.5 billion USD.
- Developer: Emaar Properties
- Purpose: Mixed-use (Residential, commercial, hotel and observation decks)
The Burj Khalifa has been a symbol of Dubai’s ambition and architectural prowess since it opened. Designed by Adrian Smith at the firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), the tower is not just tall-it’s a marvel of design, engineering, and urban luxury.
Jeddah Tower: The Future Tallest
- Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Planned Height: 1,000+ meters (1 km or 3,281 feet)
- Floors: 167 habitable floors + additional mechanical levels
- Estimates Cost: $1.2-$2 billion USD (part of a larger $26 billion Jeddah Economic City project)
- Developer: Jeddah Economic Company (JEC)
- Architect: Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture
- Construction Start: 2013 year
- Current Status: Resumed in 2023, expected to complete by 2028
Once completed, Jeddah Tower will surpass the Burj Khalifa by at least 172 meters, securing its place as the tallest building in the world. Jeddah Tower’s key architectural feature will be its circular observation desk on the 157th floor, which will be the highest in the world.
Height Comparison: Over the Top
Burj Khalifa:
- The tower integrates residential apartments, corporate suits, the luxurious Armani Hotel, restaurants, and observation decks. Its Y-shaped floor plan reduces wind load and provides panoramic city views.
Jeddah Tower:
- The Jeddah Tower will include a Four Seasons hotel, luxury apartments, office space, and the world’s yallest observation deck. The design mimics a desert plant shooting upward, a nod to Saudi Arabia’s culture and climate.
Construction Timeline and Delays:
Initially slated for completion in 202, the Jeddah Tower faced delay due to financial issues, labour shortages, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Work was halted in 2018 but resumed in 2023 after new contractors were brought in. The current target for completion is 2028.
Project Cost: The $26 Billion Vision
While the towers itself is expected to cost around $1.2 to $2 billion, it is just a centrepiece of the massive $26 billion Jeddah Economic City-a 5.2-million-square-meter megaproject aimed at transforming Jeddah in to a global business hub. This includes residential units, hotels, commercial areas, and transport infrastructure.
Sustainability and Engineering Challenges
Constructing a 1-kilometer-high tower presents unique engineering challenges:
- Wind Resistance: The tapered, triangular shape reduces wind forces.
- Foundation Depth: Over 270 reinforced concrete piles extend more than 100 meters underground.
- Concrete Pouring: Special hight-strength concrete is used to withstand both heat and pressure.
Eco-conscious features such as high-efficiency insulation and water recycling systems are also integrated into the design. If successful, Jeddah Tower will not just be an architectural record-breaker-it will symbolize Saudi Arabia’s push for economic diversification under Vision 2030. Meanwhile, the Burj Khalifa remains an enduring icon of modernity and tourism in the UAE.
Final Thoughts:
While the Burj Khalifa currently reigns supreme, the Jeddah Tower promises to reset the global skyline. However, it’s not just about height-what matters most is how these building transform their cities economically, socially, and culturally.
Quick Recap:
- Jeddah Tower will be the world’s first 1-kilometer skyscraper, expected to be completed by 2028.
- It will surpass the Burj Khalifa by over 172 meters.
- Part of the $26 billion Jeddah Economic City.
- Features the world’s highest observation deck and ultra-modern luxury spaces.
Stay tuned as Jeddah Tower climbs skyward-reshaping the horizon and the future of urban development.