Targeted for completion in August 2028, Jeddah Tower continues to cement its position as one of the most prominent urban development projects in Saudi Arabia, with an ambition to exceed 1,000 meters in height, becoming the first building in the world to cross the kilometer barrier, and topping the list of the world's tallest skyscrapers upon completion.
Jeddah Tower: A Race to the Top
Jeddah Tower , formerly known as Kingdom Tower and Mile Tower, is a skyscraper under construction in northern Jeddah, part of the Jeddah Economic Project overlooking the Red Sea. The project aims to deliver an exceptional architectural and urban model that combines record height with mixed-use developments, including residential, commercial, hospitality, and entertainment facilities.
The project was announced on September 17, 2007 by Kingdom Holding Company, and architect Adrian Smith is designing the tower, which is planned to exceed the 1,000-meter mark in height, surpassing the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, which is 828 meters high, according to the data in the attached infographic.
The project has witnessed successive developments in construction work, as John Peronto, the project manager for the Jeddah Tower, indicated in statements to Newsweek in June 2026 that the work is proceeding according to the set schedule, with the aim of completing it in August 2028.
Targeting a height of 500 meters
Peronto explained, according to the reported statements, that the tower had reached nearly the 104th floor, at a height of just over 400 meters, noting that the pace of construction was accelerating as it progressed to higher levels. He added that the construction rate was approximately 4 meters per week, which supported expectations of reaching a height of 500 meters within about 25 weeks of the time of the statements, clarifying that these figures were estimates for a specific timeframe.
He also predicted reaching the upper observation level, known as the "heavenly terrace," near the 160th floor, within about 60 weeks of the statements.
According to project data, the tower's height exceeded 470 meters by October 2026, surpassing the 118th floor, if the updated figures circulating are accurate. This represents significant progress compared to the stage described by the project manager in June of the same year, although the detailed figures require confirmation from a recent official update.
Construction resumes with a contract worth 7.2 billion riyals.
The resumption of construction marks a significant milestone for the project, following Kingdom Holding Company's announcement in January 2025 of the official resumption of construction and concrete pouring. This followed an agreement signed in October 2024 by Jeddah Economic Company, an affiliate, with the Saudi Binladin Group to complete the tower's construction. The total contract value was approximately SAR 7.2 billion, with nearly SAR 1.1 billion already paid towards the total value for completed construction work.
The Jeddah Economic Entity is developing the project, in cooperation with the Saudi Binladin Group in carrying out the construction work, while Kingdom Holding Company is linked to the project as the entity that announced it and is following up on its investment development.
Wind resistance engineering design
The significance of Jeddah Tower lies not only in its targeted height but also in its architectural design and function within the city's urban fabric. The building was designed with a triangular shape and sloping, terraced facades to help mitigate the impact of strong winds on the structure, while also providing a distinctive visual composition that responds to the site's natural features.
The plan includes approximately 167 inhabited floors within a total of approximately 252 levels, with spaces allocated for various uses including residential apartments, offices, a hotel and shopping facilities, in addition to a raised platform or viewing area that gives visitors wide views of Jeddah and the Red Sea.
This diversity aims to transform the tower into an integrated destination, not just a tall architectural landmark, by combining residence, work, hospitality, shopping and entertainment in one building.
A project that transcends the boundaries of the tower
The tower is part of a broader urban development plan aimed at developing an integrated area north of Jeddah, on a large area that includes residential, commercial, educational, tourist and entertainment areas.
The announced plans for the project include residential areas with a total area of approximately 2.5 million square meters, shopping areas of about 470,000 square meters, educational spaces estimated at about 150,000 square meters, as well as commercial office areas of about 800,000 square meters, in addition to hotels and recreational and tourist facilities.
The vision also includes the development of a waterfront, public areas, and spaces for shopping and commercial activities, which enhances the project's connection to the coastal location and gives it a role that goes beyond the boundaries of the building itself.
The project, upon completion, is expected to contribute to supporting urban, investment and tourism activity in Jeddah, provided that the extent of its actual impact remains linked to the stages of implementation and operation and the level of demand for its various components.
Target date for completion of construction work
The announced plans set August 2028 as the target date for the completion of Jeddah Tower, a project that has faced periods of halt and resumption before construction resumed at a new pace. If completed to its planned height, the tower will surpass the Burj Khalifa by approximately 170 meters and will mark a significant milestone in the history of skyscraper construction, entering the category of buildings that exceed one kilometer in height.
However, achieving this goal remains contingent on the continuation of work according to the executive program, and the completion of the engineering and operational systems necessary for a building of this height, up to the stage of completion and opening.
The 10 tallest towers in the world
In the following list, we reveal the top 10 skyscrapers around the world, according to their listed heights, with the following projects topping the list:
Jeddah Tower – Saudi Arabia: More than 1000 meters, according to the project's target height.
Burj Khalifa – Dubai, UAE: 828 meters.
Merdeka Tower 118 – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: 678.9 meters.
Shanghai Tower – China: 632 meters.
Makkah Royal Clock Tower – Saudi Arabia: 601 meters.
Ping An Financial Center – Shenzhen, China: 599.1 meters.
Lotte World Tower – Seoul, South Korea: 554.5 meters.
One World Trade Center Tower – New York, USA: 541.3 meters.
Guangzhou CTF Financial Center – China: 530 meters.
Tianjin CTF Trade Center – China: 530 meters.
Read also:
Jeddah Tower continues its rapid ascent towards the sky in the 1000-meter project
Jeddah Economic Company allocates 620 million riyals for the implementation of infrastructure networks for the Jeddah Tower project.
Jeddah Economic City and the world's tallest tower are shaping Jeddah's urban, architectural, and investment future.
