It’s the season of super-tall buildings. From Brazil’s Senna Tower to the Burj Azizi skyscraper, and the Emaar Super Tower in Dubai, the sky seems to be the limit for imposing structures. Joining the ranks of the world’s tallest buildings is the long-stalled Jeddah Tower project. Unlike the aforementioned towers, which are shorter than the Burj Khalifa, the Jeddah Tower by Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal will rival the world’s tallest building. Touted to stand over 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) tall, the Jeddah Tower will make history when completed, leaving the mighty 828-meter (2,717 feet) Burj Khalifa in second place.
عدنا 🇸🇦
We're back 🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/M6WHOFzS51— الوليد بن طلال (@Alwaleed_Talal) October 2, 2024
The Burj Khalifa was completed in 2009 and officially opened in 2010; it has held the title of the world’s tallest tower for 14 years and will approach two decades around 2028, by which time the Jeddah Tower may finally stand in all its glory. Although still four years away, the moment’s arrival is eagerly anticipated. For now, this is the most high-profile venture involving billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal and his Kingdom Holding Co, per Financial Times. The royal recently expressed his excitement on X, posting a video rendering of the project alongside the caption, “We’re back.”
Designed by Adrian Smith of AS+GG, who also worked on the Burj Khalifa, the Jeddah Tower had already reached approximately 60 floors before construction came to a halt in 2017. Originally announced in 2008 with a budget of about $1.3 billion, it’s likely that costs have soared over the years, much like the tower’s projected height.
Beyond finances, this project is a monument of design and architecture. While the structure has a relatively simple tapering triangular form from a distance, it is actually inspired by the folded leaves of a desert plant, a design that helps the 1,000-meter edifice withstand the wind loads experienced at such heights.
To ensure a solid foundation, the Jeddah Tower boasts a concrete foundation system supported by 270 bored piles that reach depths of up to 350 feet. The tower’s exterior glory is matched by its extravagant interior, spanning a massive 5.7 million square feet, equivalent to three Eiffel Towers stacked atop one another. It will feature 252 floors, nearly 60 high-speed elevators, and the world’s highest observatory, offering an unmatched vista for those who dare to enjoy it. This colossal skyscraper will also house a hotel, office space, and luxury apartments. Only time will tell if this modern marvel will surpass the iconic Burj Khalifa and mark a new era of super-tall skyscrapers.
Who is the King of Kingdom Holding Co.?
Worth $17.3 billion, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud is the founder of Kingdom Holding, an uncrowned king who is actually worth eight times more than King Charles himself. He lives a lavish life that would put most monarchs to shame. His conglomerate’s investments in hotels, real estate, and equities have granted the grandson of the first king of Saudi Arabia a life of unparalleled opulence.
The billionaire businessman resides in a palatial 420-room complex that houses his private offices and palaces for him and his two children. The self-proclaimed “Warren Buffett of Arabia” owns at least three palaces, the 282-foot luxury yacht Kingdom 5KR (formerly known as Trump Princess and Nabila), and a Boeing 747 that rivals five-star resorts and is aptly called a flying palace.
