Burj Khalifa’s record under threat as new mega towers rise in Saudi Arabia
Riyadh (Khabrain Report) Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa may soon lose its title as the world’s tallest building as Saudi Arabia advances ambitious mega construction projects.
The 828-meter Burj Khalifa could be surpassed by two major developments currently under planning and construction in Saudi Arabia. In Riyadh, the proposed Rise Tower mega project is expected to reach a staggering height of 2,000 meters, although it is still in the early design phase.
Meanwhile, construction work on the Jeddah Economic Tower is progressing rapidly, with its height recently reaching 370 meters. Also known as the JEC Tower, the structure is planned to exceed 1,000 meters, which would make it taller than Burj Khalifa upon completion.
Work has already begun on the tower’s glass façade, and the project will include luxury residential units, commercial spaces, a Four Seasons hotel, and an observation deck offering panoramic views of Jeddah and the Red Sea.
The tower will be part of the first phase of the Jeddah Economic City project, spanning 1.3 million square meters, while the total development covers approximately 5.3 million square meters.
Interestingly, the design of the Saudi megaproject has also been prepared by American architect Adrian Smith, who was the designer of the Burj Khalifa as well.
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Once completed, the Rise Tower is expected to include 678 floors featuring luxury hotels, high-end restaurants, observation decks, and premium office spaces. It will serve as the centerpiece of a futuristic city master plan covering around 306 square kilometers.
A 2024 report also suggested that Dubai-based Emaar may be working on another super-tall skyscraper exceeding 1,000 meters, potentially reigniting competition in the global race for the tallest building.
