Jeddah Tower surpasses Burj Khalifa

The Jeddah Tower, previously known as the Kingdom Tower, has surpassed the Burj Khalifa's height of 828 meters, with the tower now standing at 108 floors [2]. This milestone marks a significant step towards the tower's planned height of over 1 kilometer, which will make it the world's tallest building, almost three times the height of the Empire State Building.

The construction progress

The Jeddah Tower's construction began in 2013 but was paused in 2018 due to financial and contractor issues [3]. However, construction resumed in January last year, and the tower is now rapidly progressing towards its planned height [2]. The tower's design is based on a simple yet efficient concrete-based system, which employs local construction practices and concrete strengths common in the region [2]. The structural system is designed to be built quickly and efficiently, with all walls interconnected and each structural element resisting both wind and gravity loads.

The competitive picture

The Jeddah Tower is set to redefine the global skyline, with its height surpassing that of the Burj Khalifa by 180 meters [3]. The tower will feature the world's highest observation point, a luxury hotel, office space, and palatial apartments [2]. The project is part of Saudi Arabia's efforts to transform into a major tourism destination, with several "gigaprojects" announced in recent years [2]. However, while other projects have seen their ambitions reduced or cancelled, the Jeddah Tower is now firmly on track to become the world's tallest building.

What to watch

• The tower's completion date, which is expected to be in the near future, although no specific date has been announced [2]
• The tower's final height, which is planned to be over 1 kilometer, making it the world's tallest building [2]
• The impact of the tower's completion on the local economy and tourism industry, which is expected to be significant [3]

The Jeddah Tower's completion will mark a significant milestone in the world of architecture and engineering, with the tower set to become a iconic landmark and a symbol of Saudi Arabia's ambitions [2]. As the tower nears completion, it will be interesting to see how it will affect the local economy and tourism industry, and whether it will live up to its expected potential.