Work has restarted on Saudi Arabia's mega Jeddah Tower, putting Dubai's Burj Khalifa on course to lose its title as the world's tallest building for the first time since 2010. The Burj Khalifa stands 828 metres tall, but the Jeddah Tower — also known as the Jeddah Economic Company Tower — is expected to exceed 1,000 metres, making it the first structure in history to cross a full kilometre in height.
Jeddah Tower Construction Resumes After Years-Long Halt
The project was first initiated over a decade ago and has been redesigned several times since. Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal recently confirmed its continuation via social media. As of October 2024, the tower had reached 63 storeys, with a further 157 floors still to rise before its completion target of 2028.
The total cost of the development is substantial. The broader Jeddah Economic City project is expected to require enormous investment, with reports placing the figure in the tens of billions of dollars — a significant portion of which had already been committed at the time construction resumed.
Adrian Smith: The Architect Behind Both Towers
In a notable connection, the Jeddah Tower was designed by Adrian Smith of Chicago — the same architect responsible for the Burj Khalifa. The tower forms the centrepiece of a 5.3-million-square-metre mixed-use development project on the northern outskirts of Jeddah.
What the Record Change Means for Dubai
The Burj Khalifa has held the title of world's tallest building since its completion in 2010. Once the Jeddah Tower is topped out, Dubai will cede that crown to its Saudi neighbour — though the Burj Khalifa will remain one of the most iconic and visited skyscrapers on earth. By the time construction wraps in 2028, the Jeddah Tower is expected to redefine global standards for supertall architecture and engineering innovation.
