The construction milestone was confirmed by Saudi investor Prince Alwaleed bin Talal following a site inspection on July 29, 2026, offering one of the clearest public signals that work on the long-delayed project is gathering momentum.
“Praise be to God, work is continuing, and we will complete the world’s tallest tower,” Prince Alwaleed said after meeting project teams at the construction site in Jeddah.
The tower, which began construction in 2013, was suspended in 2018 due to financial and contractor-related challenges. Work resumed in 2025, with crews continuing to add floors to the landmark mixed-use development located within Jeddah Economic City.
A New Global Icon
Once completed, Jeddah Tower will exceed 1,000 metres in height, making it the first building in the world to cross the one-kilometre mark. The structure will house residential properties, a luxury hotel, office space, and one of the world’s highest observation decks.
The tower will serve as the centrepiece of Jeddah Economic City, a 57-million-square-foot development designed to support Saudi Arabia’s ambitions in business and luxury tourism. The project is being developed by Jeddah Economic Company, which is backed by Prince Alwaleed’s Kingdom Holding Company.
Design and Construction Teams
Jeddah Economic Company is working with Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill Architecture, the firm behind Burj Khalifa’s design, alongside Thornton Tomasetti for structural engineering, Langan International, RWDI, Dar, and contractor Saudi Binladin Group.
Current estimates point to completion around 2028, although the final timeline remains dependent on the pace of construction and project execution.
Regional Context
The progress on Jeddah Tower comes as the Gulf region continues to see significant activity in supertall construction. Dubai remains home to multiple skyscrapers under development, while Abu Dhabi has launched major waterfront projects as part of broader economic diversification strategies.
Jeddah Tower’s advancement reflects Saudi Arabia’s push to establish itself as a key destination for international business and tourism, aligning with the kingdom’s Vision 2030 economic transformation agenda.
With the structure now standing at 430 metres and construction teams accelerating work, the race to claim the title of the world’s tallest building has entered a new phase—one that will see the Gulf skyline reshaped once again.
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