On the rise: Jeddah Tower soars past Burj Khalifa's midpoint

Jeddah Tower has officially surpassed the midpoint of Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, marking a major milestone in the construction of what promises to be the world’s tallest building. Located in Saudi Arabia’s coastal city of Jeddah, the structure, formerly known as Kingdom Tower, is now over 430 metres tall, having climbed from 63 floors in early 2025 to 107 floors. Construction, which began in 2013, has faced several interruptions, but recent months have seen rapid progress as the tower ascends toward its intended height of more than one kilometre. The journey to this point has been marked by both ambition and adversity. Initially conceived as a symbol of Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation, the tower was designed by Adrian Smith, the architect behind the iconic Burj Khalifa. Now, with construction resuming in earnest after a prolonged halt during the pandemic, the project has regained momentum. Between January 2025 and April, the tower gained nearly 40 floors, reflecting the intensity of the work underway. With thousands of workers operating around the clock, the pace of construction has accelerated significantly since the project’s restart. The tower’s design includes a range of facilities aimed at making it a global landmark. According to the architecture firm AS+GG, the structure will feature 59 elevators and a sky terrace that claims the title of the world’s highest observatory. Once completed, the building will house a luxury hotel, residential units, office spaces, and other amenities. Its location within the broader Jeddah Economic City, a planned urban development spanning 5.3 million square metres, positions it as a central hub for commerce, leisure, and innovation. The tower’s owner, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, chairman of Kingdom Holding Company, has remained actively engaged in the project. Recently, he visited the construction site to celebrate the progress made, expressing confidence that the tower will eventually stand as the tallest in the world. His comments on social media underscored the significance of the achievement, highlighting the ongoing commitment to completing the structure ahead of its projected finish date in 2028. The construction of Jeddah Tower has not come without controversy. Earlier in the project’s lifecycle, issues such as labor shortages and the arrest of senior officials, including Prince Alwaleed himself, led to delays. These challenges were compounded by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, which brought construction to a near standstill from 2020 through 2025. Despite these obstacles, the project has managed to resume and continue its upward trajectory, demonstrating resilience and adaptability. Looking ahead, the region is poised for further developments in the realm of super-tall skyscrapers. While Jeddah Tower aims to exceed one kilometre in height, other projects in the Gulf are also vying for prominence. Dubai’s Burj Azizi, for example, is scheduled for completion in 2028 at a height of 725 metres. Meanwhile, the long-planned Dubai Creek Tower, originally intended to surpass 1,000 metres, has encountered delays due to supply chain and logistical challenges. These factors suggest that the competition for the title of the world’s tallest building remains dynamic, with multiple contenders in the pipeline. As Jeddah Tower continues its ascent, it stands not just as a feat of engineering but as a symbol of Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in the global architectural landscape. Its completion will represent a significant step forward for the country’s vision of becoming a leading hub for business, tourism, and cultural exchange. For now, the tower’s progress remains a testament to the enduring pursuit of human ingenuity and ambition.