Jeddah Tower: Saudi Arabia’s Architectural Marvel Makes its Way to the Sky
An engineering miracle is taking shape in Jeddah as Saudi Arabia’s charming Red Sea city is set to host the world’s tallest skyscraper. The Jeddah Tower has achieved a new milestone, completing 40% of its planned 1-kilometer height.
Serving as the centerpiece of Jeddah Economic City, the record-breaking high-rise is expected to drive a major economic boost, solidifying the Kingdom’s position as a global hub for business and luxury tourism.
Jeddah Tower: Reaching New Heights
Driving the News: Jeddah Tower has reached a new high of 430 meters, accounting for around 40% of its total height. Following a visit to the construction site, Saudi billionaire Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal touted progress in construction, saying that work is accelerating to finish the world’s tallest skyscraper.
الأرقام تروي القصة بوضوح.
الدور ١٠٧، والرحلة مسـتمرة.The numbers clearly tell the story,
Level 107, & the journey continues. pic.twitter.com/4KLhfaKKpy— الوليد بن طلال (@Alwaleed_Talal) July 26, 2026
The Big Picture: Scheduled for launch in 2028, Jeddah Tower will become the world’s tallest building, overtaking Dubai’s Burj Khalifa and setting a new global record for vertical construction by breaking the 1000-meter threshold.
What He Said: “The numbers clearly tell the story. Level 107 and the journey continues.” – Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, project founder and Chairman of Kingdom Holding Company (KHC).
A Landmark Rising High
The Context: Along the captivating Red Sea coast, a massive architectural structure is piercing through the clouds, drawing inspiration from Saudi Arabia’s breathtaking nature. The building’s design evokes a bundle of desert plant leaves sprouting from the ground. It features a slender, slightly asymmetrical shape that starts as one piece at the bottom and separates near the top, symbolizing new life and future growth for the surrounding area.
The Blueprint: The building is engineered for both beauty and safety. Its three-petal base layout is ideal for residential apartments, while its tapering wings create an aerodynamic shape that reduces wind pressure and helps the structure stay stable.
The tower relies on smart, modern technology to save energy and stay comfortable. It features special exterior walls that block heat to lower energy use, along with built-in notches on all three sides that create natural shade from the sun and offer outdoor terraces with views of Jeddah and the Red Sea.
The Developers: Jeddah Economic City (JEC) is the Jeddah Tower’s primary developer, working alongside key partners including Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, Thornton Tomasetti, Langan Engineering & Environmental Services, RWDI, Dar, and Saudi Binladin Group (SBG).
Infrastructure & Technology
- High-Speed Transit Elevators: A system of 57 elevators, including KONE double-deck cabs utilizing UltraRope carbon-fiber technology – capable of moving over 10 meters per second.
- Refuge & Safety Floors: Strategically stacked, fire-rated refuge and mechanical floors equipped with enhanced safety measures and independent life-support systems.
Luxury & Business Integrated
State of Play: Once completed, the Jeddah Tower will integrate residential, commercial, and recreational spaces. The mixed-use tower features at least 167 to 170 stories above ground, spanning 530,000 square meters.
Key Amenities and Spaces:
Hospitality
- Four Seasons Hotel: A Luxury offering high-end accommodations across 182 rooms and suites located on the lower-mid levels of the tower.
- Podium Wellness & Recreation: Exclusive spa facilities, swimming pools, and state-of-the-art fitness centers situated around the lower podium floors.
Residential
- Four Seasons Private Residences: High-end serviced apartments and short-rental units occupying dedicated tiers above the hotel zone.
- Luxury Condominiums: Over 300 upscale residential apartments spanning multiple upper tiers, optimized by the three-petal footprint for natural light and views.
- Residents’ Sky Lobbies: Multi-story community interaction spaces and transition hubs shared across distinct residential groups.
Commercial
- Class-A Office Space: Dedicated corporate levels positioned in the lower third of the tower to serve commercial tenants.
- Podium Retail and Dining: Ground-level entry spaces, grand ballrooms, fine dining establishments, and high-end retail venues.
Observation & Leisure
- World’s Highest Observatory: High-altitude observation decks positioned between levels 157 and 159 (approx. 630 meters high).
- Public Sky Terrace: A nearly 30-meter-wide circular outdoor viewing platform repurposed from initial helipad plans to offer open-air panoramic sights.
- Shaded Outdoor Terraces: Recessed architectural pockets built into the three exterior sides providing sheltered outdoor viewing spaces overlooking Jeddah and the Red Sea.
An Economic Driver
Between the Lines: Jeddah Tower is set to be the beating heart of the Jeddah Economic City (JEC) – a 5.3 million square meter state-of-the-art urban mixed-use development in North Obhur, Jeddah, positioning the city as a strategic hub for international business and Red Sea tourism. The JEC’s design features residential neighborhoods, commercial centers, leisure facilities, and a seafront promenade.
What to Watch: The landmark skyscraper will act as an economic catalyst for western Saudi Arabia, generating investor confidence, creating thousands of jobs, and attracting tourism and commercial activity. This advances the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, focusing on economic diversification and elevating quality of life.
