Newly released footage showcases the remarkable advancement of the soon-to-be tallest building globally. Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah Tower reached over 100 stories in April, surpassing 400 meters in height as it approaches its groundbreaking goal of becoming the first kilometer-tall structure in the world.
Upon completion, the skyscraper will exceed Dubai’s Burj Khalifa by at least 180 meters, which currently holds the record as the tallest building globally at 830 meters. Recent drone footage from May 2026 illustrates the grand scale of the project, with the massive concrete and steel core emerging above the cityscape shortly after reaching the 100-floor milestone.
The 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 district. Designed by renowned architects Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill, the tower’s sleek glass façade draws inspiration from desert plant leaves, featuring a unique three-sided design that not only captivates visually but also enhances wind resistance at extreme heights.
Once finalized, the skyscraper will accommodate a luxurious Four Seasons hotel, upscale apartments, office spaces, and what is anticipated to be the world’s highest observation deck, offering breathtaking views from a staggering 644 meters above ground level. Additionally, the tower will house the tallest human-made viewing platform on its 157th floor, accessible via double-decker lifts capable of reaching speeds exceeding 10 meters per second.
Engineers leading the project laud the structure as a groundbreaking innovation in skyscraper design and construction. Unlike conventional steel frameworks with numerous support columns, Jeddah Tower utilizes a pioneering concrete-based structural system tailored to local construction methods and materials.
Supported by an extensive foundation comprising a five-meter-thick concrete raft resting on 270 deep bored piles, each measuring 1.8 meters in diameter, the tower’s immense weight is securely sustained. 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 recognized landmark.
If construction proceeds as planned, Jeddah Tower will not only claim the title of the world’s tallest building but will also achieve the unprecedented milestone of rising a full kilometer above ground level, a remarkable engineering feat long deemed one of the most challenging.
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