English 
Spanish 
3 min read
9 comments
After years of comings and goings, the building that promises to be the tallest in the world, with an impressive 990 meters in height, is finally expected to be completed. With an astronomical investment of US$ 1,2 billion, the Jeddah Tower is rising again after much uncertainty and is entering the final phase to consolidate Saudi Arabia as a reference in architectural megaprojects. Will it happen this time?
The world’s first tower to surpass the one-kilometer-high mark finally has a completion date. With an investment of US$1,2 billion and a history full of challenges, the Jeddah Tower is now fully underway. Scheduled for completion by the end of the decade, this architectural marvel promises to transform the skyline of Saudi Arabia and solidify its position on the world stage.
Vision 2030 and the resumption of construction
The Jeddah Tower is one of the pillars of the ambitious plan Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 is a bold strategy to modernize the country's economy, culture and infrastructure. Designed to be a symbol of progress and development, the tower promises to attract investors, tourists and cement the city of Jeddah as a global hub of innovation and luxury.
The resumption of construction is a key step for Saudi Arabia to reinforce its image as a leader in megaprojects. After such a long period of inactivity, the construction site is finally back in action, with 63 of the planned 157 floors already built. The goal now is to waste no more time and complete the structure in the coming years, ensuring that the tower is ready for the celebration of Vision 2030.
- Buzludzha Monument: The Mysterious Abandoned Building That Holds the Secrets of the Cold War in Bulgaria
- The world's longest pier is an impressive 6,5km long and takes up to an hour to cross
- 110 km railway in SC: R$2 billion construction could modernize transportation and connect strategic ports
- Man builds bridge in isolated village with his own money, but the local government didn't like it, tore down the bridge and sentenced him to two years in prison
Obstacles in the way of Jeddah Tower
Building a skyscraper of this magnitude is no small feat, and the Jeddah Tower has faced a series of problems from the start. In 2017, scandals involving key figures in the project led to the halt of construction. With arrests and investigations underway, uncertainty took hold of the enterprise.
If that wasn't enough, the Covid-19 pandemic came along to put another brake on construction, which had been completely halted for seven years. This period of inactivity only caused costs to soar and deadlines to become even more uncertain. Only last year, an official ceremony marked the definitive resumption of the project, rekindling hopes that, this time, the tower will finally be completed.
A monument of engineering and architecture
Designed by renowned architect Adrian Smith, the same architect behind the Burj Khalifa, the Jeddah Tower is a next-level design. Its structure was inspired by a “three-petal” plan, which not only ensures stability but also reduces wind resistance — a critical factor when it comes to ultra-tall buildings.
The tower’s aerodynamic, conical shape is not only beautiful, but essential for withstanding extreme winds and ensuring structural safety. According to architects Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill, the inspiration for the design came from nature, evoking a bundle of leaves sprouting from the ground. In other words, a true colossus that symbolizes growth and innovation that Saudi Arabia wants to show the world.
At 990 meters tall, the Jeddah Tower will be 150 meters taller than the Burj Khalifa, currently the tallest skyscraper in the world. To give you an idea, its grandeur is three times taller than The Shard, one of London's most iconic buildings. It's a height that no one can fault!
It will happen as in ancient times when they began to build the Tower of BABEL. It ended up like this. The Biblical story is clear, just read it: so many people are going hungry and these gentlemen are spending billions on something just to exalt their pride. The end is indeed near.
Explain to me
How to make a 1km tall tower with 150 floors.
Would they be floors with ceiling heights of approximately 6,6 meters each? Strange, right?
Something doesn't add up
Why is this in a place that is just desert!