Newly released video footage showcases the remarkable advancements in the construction of the soon-to-be tallest building globally.
The Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia surpassed the 100-story mark in April, elevating the colossal structure over 400 meters high as it approaches an unprecedented kilometer-tall stature.
Upon completion, this skyscraper will loom at least 180 meters above Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the current record-holder at 830 meters in height.
Recent aerial footage from May 2026 displays the massive concrete and steel core of the tower towering over the cityscape shortly after the achievement of reaching 100 floors in April.
This ambitious endeavor serves as the focal point of the $20 billion Jeddah Economic City development, aiming to revamp Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coastline into a prominent commercial and business epicenter.
Crafted by acclaimed architects Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill, the tower’s sleek design, inspired by the folded leaves of a desert plant, not only offers a visually striking appearance but also enhances its ability to endure high winds at extreme altitudes.
Upon its finalization, the skyscraper will accommodate a luxurious Four Seasons hotel, upscale residences, office areas, and a projected highest observation deck globally, offering breathtaking views from a remarkable 644 meters above ground level.
Additionally, the tower will feature the loftiest man-made viewing platform ever constructed, positioned on the 157th level, with visitors ascending swiftly via double-decker elevators exceeding speeds of 10 meters per second.
The engineers overseeing the project laud the structure as a groundbreaking innovation in skyscraper design and construction, utilizing an inventive concrete-based structural system tailored to local building methods and materials, rather than conventional steel frameworks.
The tower’s substantial weight will rest on an extensive foundation comprising a five-meter-thick concrete raft supported by 270 bored piles, each with a diameter of 1.8 meters and reaching depths of up to 105 meters into the ground.
With an estimated construction cost of approximately £885 million (USD$1.2 billion), the 530,000-square-meter tower is poised to become a globally recognizable landmark.
Should the construction progress as planned, the Jeddah Tower will not only secure the title of the tallest building worldwide but will also mark the first human-made structure to ascend a full kilometer above ground level, a remarkable engineering feat long deemed a significant challenge.
