The title of the world’s tallest skyscraper is set to change hands as Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah Tower nears completion. Currently, Dubai’s Burj Khalifa holds the record, but Jeddah Tower will soon take its place. Construction on this monumental project began in 2013 but faced delays in 2018 due to unforeseen circumstances. 

Further setbacks occurred during the pandemic, halting progress until late 2023 when development resumed. With three-fourths of the construction already completed, the tower is close to its final stages.

Designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, Jeddah Tower will soar to an impressive height of 3,281 feet (0.62 miles), equivalent to stacking 11 Statues of Liberty on top of each other. This colossal structure will stand in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia’s second-most populous city, located along the Red Sea.

Saudi Arabia has been making significant advancements in architecture and development. The ambitious NEOM mega-project, including The Line, aims to create a futuristic city stretching 105 miles across the desert by 2030. Additionally, the Saudi Crown Prince plans to build another skyscraper even taller than Jeddah Tower, potentially twice the height of Burj Khalifa, though this project is still in its early stages.

As Jeddah Tower reaches completion, it will soon redefine the skyline and take the title of the world’s tallest skyscraper.

Image credit: Adrian Smith & Gordon Gill