The structure will soar to a height nearly eleven times greater than the Statue of Liberty.

Jeddah , Saudi Arabia, Aerial view Jeddah Tower skyscraper under-construction , world's tallest building drone

80 floors have already been built (Image: Getty)

One building located in Saudi Arabia is on track to become the tallest building on the planet. It's set to reach a staggering 3,281 feet and surpass the current record-holder, Dubai's Burj Khalifa, by at least 568 feet. Once complete, it will be nearly eleven times the height of the Statue of Liberty and a defining feature of the city's skyline. The Jeddah Tower was designed by architect Adrian Smith, who also designed the Burj Khalifa. 

With a total construction area of 5.7 million square feet and an estimated cost of £890.5 million, though final costs may reportedly exceed this, the massive building is expected to house a luxury Four Seasons hotel, offices, apartments, and the world’s highest observatory. As Saudi Arabia's second-largest city and a major port on the Red Sea, Jeddah provides a dramatic setting for the world's tallest skyscraper.

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Jeddah , Saudi Arabia, Aerial view Jeddah Tower skyscraper under-construction , world's tallest building drone

The building is set to outpace the Burj Khalifa in Dubai (Image: Getty)

The tower will stand among other iconic local landmarks, including the Penang Floating Mosque and Al Balad, the historic coral-built district.

Construction of the massive skyscraper began in 2013 but was paused in 2018. The tower's original contractor, the Binladin Group, was removed from the project following the arrest of its president, Bakr bin Laden.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused further delays but resumed in 2023. Work resumed in January 2025, and as of December 2025, about 80 floors have been completed, with a new floor added every three to four days.

The developer, Jeddah Economic Company (JEC), expects completion by 2028. Its three-petal footprint and reinforced concrete core ensure structural stability, while high-speed elevators travelling at 10 meters per second allow rapid vertical movement.

Its aerodynamic shape is also engineered for stability against extreme winds. The tower's shape is inspired by young desert plants, specifically their folded fronds. The tower starts from a single base and gradually splits or tapers toward the top, similar to how plant fronds grow upward and separate.

Chicago-based Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture wrote about the design and concept behind the tower: "The sleek, streamlined form of the tower can be interpreted as a reference to the folded fronds of young desert plant growth.

"The way the fronds sprout upward from the ground as a single form, then start separating from each other at the top, is an analogy of new growth fused with technology. While the design is contextual to Saudi Arabia, it also represents an evolution and a refinement of an architectural continuum of skyscraper design

The building is part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 initiative, aimed at diversifying the economy and establishing landmark projects that elevate the kingdom's global profile. 

Upon completion, it will claim the title of the world's tallest building as a mixed use building with record-breaking views that redefine the possibilities of modern skyscraper design.