Back in 2008, Saudi Arabia's billionaire investor, Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, declared his intent to construct the world's tallest skyscraper, reaching a staggering height of over 3,280 feet (about 999.74 m). This ambitious project, the Jeddah Tower, was destined to be the centerpiece of Jeddah Economic City, aspiring to be Saudi Arabia's answer to Dubai, boasting a height twice that of the One World Trade Center in the U.S.
However, construction on this record-breaking tower hit a roadblock in 2018 due to Saudi political turmoil and the COVID-19 pandemic. As of fall 2023, only one-third of the tower has been completed, but construction is set to resume. The Jeddah Economic Company's website proudly announces, "It's Happening," but the question remains: when will it be completed?
Jeddah Economic City - The Next Dubai?
Dubai's Burj Khalifa, standing at 2,717 feet (about 828.14 m), currently holds the title of the world's tallest building. Designed by American architect Adrian Smith, the Burj Khalifa epitomized Dubai's grand vision, becoming the centerpiece of an impressive urban development. This achievement in urban planning and architecture has garnered praise from Antony Wood, president of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.
When Prince Alwaleed set his sights on constructing the world's first kilometer-high tower, Dubai's Burj Khalifa was still under construction. The aim from the start was to replicate Dubai's success in Saudi Arabia, making Jeddah Economic City a futuristic metropolis along the Red Sea, featuring the towering Jeddah Tower.
Architect Adrian Smith, who designed both the Burj Khalifa and the Jeddah Tower, implemented similar design elements, notably their "megatall" status (exceeding 1,968.5 feet) and a Y-shaped plan with three exterior walls, proven to be more aerodynamic and wind-resistant at extreme heights. While the Burj Khalifa tapers gradually, the Jeddah Tower boasts a continuous tapering design, piercing the clouds like a colossal needle.
What Does the Tower Include?
The most talked-about feature of the Jeddah Tower is its open-air observation deck, positioned at a staggering 2,187 feet (about 666.6 m), making it the world's highest. Initially intended as a helipad, safety concerns due to unpredictable desert winds led to its redesign. If built to its original specifications, the tower will require a colossal 80,000 tons of steel and will be serviced by 59 elevators (including five double-decker cars) and 12 escalators. The tower's lower third will house office space, followed by a luxury hotel, with the highest floors designated for apartments, including a massive penthouse.
A Rocky Start for the Kingdom Tower Construction of the Jeddah Tower, initially named the Kingdom Tower, commenced on April 1, 2013, with over a year spent laying its massive foundation, featuring concrete pilings exceeding 10 feet in diameter and the length of a football field. Above-ground construction started in September 2014.
However, in 2017, a political crisis shook Saudi Arabia when Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman initiated a widespread anti-corruption crackdown. Several prominent figures, including the primary financial backer of the Jeddah Tower, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, were detained. Although they were later released after paying hefty fines, this turmoil disrupted construction. In 2018, work on the Jeddah Tower resumed, targeting a 2020 completion date. Labor issues with a contractor in late 2018 and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic halted construction again. As of 2021, the tower's base stands at a third of its planned height, but there's hope for progress soon.
The Future of the Jeddah Tower
Despite its status, experts like Antony Wood remain optimistic about the Jeddah Tower. Wood, who visited the construction site in 2018, praised the project's scale and ambition. He believes that the project will eventually be completed, as it would be an embarrassment not to finish it. However, it's uncertain whether it will adhere to its original design or become the world's tallest building.
To Wood, the intermittent construction process is unique, representing a project that stopped rather than simply falling behind schedule. Recent news of construction resuming validates this optimism, although a new completion timeline remains undecided.
The Race for the World's Highest Observatory
Interestingly, competition for the world's highest observatory isn't limited to the Jeddah Tower, with Emaar's Dubai project also vying for the title, albeit facing its own delays due to the pandemic.
