Photos of world’s tallest building construction which is set to rise over a kilometer

Construction is progressing on the Jeddah Tower (Saudi Arabia), which, once completed, is set to become the tallest building in the world. The tower will surpass Dubai’s Burj Khalifa since it is planned to rise over a kilometer (about 3,280 feet). The structure will feature residential, commercial, and office spaces, as well as a luxury hotel and the world’s highest observation deck. It will also serve as the centerpiece of the $20 billion Jeddah Economic City project, a large-scale redevelopment formerly known as Kingdom City.

The ambitious design is being led by Chicago-based architects Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill of AS+GG Architecture. Partner Robert Forest shared with Newsweek that the team is targeting an August 2028 completion date. While the firm has not yet disclosed the tower’s exact final height or floor count, it confirmed that the structure will include more than 130 stories. Forest noted that construction is now in full swing and that the atmosphere on-site is “robust,” with the team deeply committed to bringing this iconic vision to life for Saudi Arabia.

Work on the Jeddah Tower originally began in 2013 but came to a halt in 2018 following a series of high-profile arrests during Saudi Arabia’s 2017–2019 anti-corruption purge. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic added further setbacks, pushing the project’s timeline back. However, according to Dezeen, construction officially resumed in September 2023. Once finished, the skyscraper will stand roughly 564 feet taller than the Burj Khalifa, claiming the title of the world’s tallest building.

Architecturally, the Jeddah Tower embraces a striking neo-futuristic style characterized by its sleek, spire-like form. The design draws inspiration from the natural shape of palm fronds; a symbol deeply rooted in Saudi culture. It should be noted that the tower’s geometry was developed to optimize wind resistance representing growth and technological innovation. In all, this fusion of symbolism and engineering aims to embody both the natural beauty and forward-looking ambitions of the Kingdom.