Jeddah Tower Construction Resumes After 7 Years

Construction on the Jeddah Tower, set to become the world’s tallest building, has officially resumed. According to the Jeddah Economic Company (JEC), the project has restarted, with plans to complete the tower by 2028.

Once finished, it will stand at an impressive height of 1,000 meters, surpassing the current record-holder, Dubai’s 828-meter Burj Khalifa. Coincidentally, the same designer behind the Burj Khalifa designed the Jeddah Tower, Adrian Smith.

What to expect from the Jeddah Tower

The Jeddah Tower project began in 2013 but was halted in 2018. Recently, on October 2, 2024, the Saudi government signed a construction agreement with the Saudi Binladin Group. The construction agreement has a value of SAR 7.2 billion (USD 1.9 billion). To date, builders have completed 63 of the tower’s 157 floors. Initially, the plan was to finish the project by 2020.

Jeddah Tower is part of the broader Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to boost tourism and entertainment in Saudi Arabia. Specifically, it will feature shopping malls, luxury boutiques, tennis courts, a Four Seasons hotel, first-class office spaces, and luxury condominiums. Moreover, it will feature the world’s highest observatory, at 644 meters (more than 2,000 feet). Correspondingly, the project promises significant economic impact, creating jobs and attracting tourists to the region.

Kingdom Holding Company (KHC), a key shareholder in JEC, highlighted the importance of the project in its market announcement. In line with this, its CEO, Engineer Talal Ibrahim Almaiman, confirmed the issuance of the tender for completing the tower.

Looking to the future

The Jeddah Tower’s design resembles a sprouting plant, with a sleek glass structure and a triangle footprint. For this reason, innovative construction techniques and materials must ensure the tower’s stability and safety. In time, the project will be completed within 42 months, using a budget from internal funding and banking facilities.

Resuming the Jeddah Tower project marks a significant milestone for Saudi Arabia’s ambitious development plans. Significantly, the tower is part of a $20 billion economic development near the Red Sea, the Jeddah Economic City. Eventually, the structure will span a construction area of 530,000 square meters and will serve as the city’s centerpiece. The plan is to finish constructing the tower and officially open it in 2028.

The Jeddah Tower: Setting new world standards

This is one of several mega-projects underway, aiming to position Saudi Arabia as a global leader in tourism and entertainment. These include the futuristic city of NEOM and entertainment, sports, and arts capital Qiddiya City, to name a few.

The Jeddah Tower project has faced several challenges, including funding constraints and delays. However, the recent agreement with Saudi Binladin Group has paved the way for the project’s completion. The construction is expected to create thousands of jobs and boost the local economy.

The Jeddah Tower will become a landmark in the city of Jeddah, offering breathtaking views and unmatched luxury. The tower’s completion will mark a new era in skyscraper construction, setting a new standard for height and design. The project showcases Saudi Arabia’s commitment to innovation and development, highlighting the country’s potential as a global leader in architecture and engineering.

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