Construction work on what is poised to become the world’s tallest building, the Jeddah Tower, has resumed in Saudi Arabia after a seven-year halt. The project was initially paused during a wide-ranging anti-corruption campaign across the kingdom, which led to the detention of several key figures, including the main contractor and financial backers.
At a recent event on the construction site, the Jeddah Economic Company (JEC), the consortium behind the project, announced that the tower is now on track for completion by 2028. The Jeddah Tower, standing at a staggering 1,000 meters (3,280 feet), was already approximately one-third complete when construction was halted in 2017.
While construction had briefly continued, it ultimately came to a standstill, with delays exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. JEC informed CNN that plans are back in motion, signaling a renewed commitment to seeing the project through.
Formerly known as the Kingdom Tower, the iconic skyscraper began construction in 2013, with an initial completion date set for 2020. Once completed, the Jeddah Tower will surpass Dubai’s Burj Khalifa by more than 500 feet, earning the title of the tallest building in the world.
The tower will host a blend of office, retail, and residential spaces. The original plans, revealed in 2011, included luxurious amenities such as a hotel, shopping mall, and the highest observation deck globally.
Designed by U.S. architect Adrian Smith, the tower features a distinctive “three-petal” base and a tapered, aerodynamic silhouette. This design not only contributes to the building’s aesthetic appeal but also addresses the significant technical challenges associated with constructing such an immense structure. According to Smith’s Chicago-based firm, Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill, the tower’s design is inspired by the imagery of a bundle of leaves ascending from the ground.
As construction ramps up, the Jeddah Tower stands as a testament to Saudi Arabia’s ambitious vision for urban development and architectural innovation.
