Work is progressing, after a few years of stalling, on one of the most ambitious construction
projects ever undertaken: the Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia, which aims to become the tallest
building in the world, surpassing one kilometer.
Recent satellite images from Maxar Technologies reveal that construction is advancing on the
site along the Red Sea coast, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the port of Jeddah. The images
show the assembly of the tower’s distinctive tripod-style base.
Once completed, the Jeddah Tower is projected to reach a height of around 3,300 feet, surpassing
the current tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, which stands at 2,717 feet.
The tower will feature the world’s highest observation deck, accessible via a network of 59
elevators. Given the tower’s immense height, no single elevator will span from the highest
occupied floor to the ground; the weight and safety concerns of the cables would be prohibitive.
Designed by architect Adrian Smith, known for his work on the Burj Khalifa and Trump Tower
in Chicago, the construction of the Jeddah Tower began in 2013, despite being initially scheduled
to start in 2009. The project faced a hiatus in 2018 due to various challenges but resumed in
2023. Although a completion date has yet to be confirmed, approximately one-third of the tower
has been finished.
