Burj Khalifa, the Empire State Building: what are the common links between these emblematic structures? Well, they have long held the esteemed title of the tallest skyscraper in the world. However, soon a new structure will likely claim that title: the Jeddah Tower, a neo-futuristic marvel planned for Saudi Arabia.
If reports are to be believed, this extraordinary structure is designed by Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill of Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture. According to reports, the tower will reach a height of 3,281 feet when completed in the next four to five years and will dwarf the Statue of Liberty by almost eleven times. Smith and Gill describe the design as “rooted in the symbolism of Saudi Arabia”, symbolizing the future growth of the kingdom with its slender, subtly asymmetrical form reminiscent of palm fronds reaching towards the sky.
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Located in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the tower will adorn the city's skyline, a testament to progress. Nestled on the edge of the Red Sea, Jeddah is the country's second most populous city, adorned with architectural marvels such as the Penang Floating Mosque and the historic Al Balad district.
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Aesthetically, Jeddah Tower embodies a neo-futuristic philosophy, characterized by avant-garde design and cutting-edge technology. Renderings reveal a sleek, tapered tower inspired by the elegant curves of palm fronds native to Saudi Arabia.
According to reports, construction of the Jeddah Tower began in 2013, but experienced interruptions, notably in 2018 due to developments within the Binladin Group, the project's contractor. The COVID-19 pandemic has further delayed progress. However, in September 2023, reports surfaced that construction had resumed.
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The Jeddah Economic Company (JEC), which is overseeing the project, confirms that construction is underway and is expected to be completed within the next four to five years. Despite the setbacks, JEC is actively soliciting entrepreneurs and hopes to finalize the selections in the coming months.
At the time of his hiatus, about a third of the Jeddah Tower was completed. When completed, it will rise to a towering height of 3,281 feet, towering over the Burj Khalifa by approximately 564 feet.
Functionally, Jeddah Tower will serve as a mixed-use complex, integrating residential, commercial and office spaces. Additionally, plans include an observation deck, which will become the highest in the world, a Four Seasons hotel and a vast outdoor balcony originally designed as a helipad.
