JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — Developers in Saudi Arabia have resumed construction on the Jeddah Tower, a megatall skyscraper designed to reach over 3,300 feet and claim the title of the world's tallest building.
Work on the $1.2 billion project, formerly known as Kingdom Tower, originally began in 2013 but was halted in 2018 at around the 63rd floor due to contractor shifts and regional financial restructuring. Developers with the Jeddah Economic Company (JEC) recently issued new contracts to restart structural work on the site, located roughly 12 miles north of historic downtown Jeddah along the Red Sea coast.
Once completed, the centerpiece structure will stand at least 1,000 meters tall—exceeding 3,300 feet—making it at least 590 feet taller than the current record-holder, Dubai's 2,717-foot Burj Khalifa. Designed by Chicago-based architecture firm Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill, the tapered, three-petaled structure is engineered to withstand high-altitude wind loads while serving as the focal point for the broader $20 billion Jeddah Economic City master plan.
The completed 167-floor tower will feature a Four Seasons hotel, luxury condominiums, commercial office space, double-decker elevators, and the world's highest outdoor observation deck on the 157th floor. Local officials anticipate the project will drive significant economic development, tourism, and engineering innovation across the western region of Saudi Arabia.
Project engineers estimate construction will take roughly four to five years to complete, setting an anticipated opening timeline for 2028. No injuries or structural issues were reported during the extended construction pause, and existing foundation piles and lower floors passed comprehensive safety inspections prior to restarting work.
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