Jeddah Tower: The Tallest Building in the World

Jeddah Tower, previously known as Kingdom Tower, is a skyscraper construction project in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Upon completion, it is planned to be the world’s tallest building or structure, standing at a height of 1 km (3,281 ft). The tower is expected to surpass the current tallest building, Burj Khalifa, which stands 828 meters (2,716 feet) in Dubai.

Construction work on the Jeddah Tower has been ongoing since 2013, with a series of setbacks, including labor issues and corruption scandals, delaying the project. However, as of 2024, construction has restarted, and the tower is expected to be completed shortly. The tower will be the centerpiece of Jeddah Economic City, a commercial and residential plan of 57 million square feet (5.3 million square meters), featuring homes, hotels, and offices.

The Jeddah Tower project has been designed by Adrian Smith + Gill Gordon Architecture, and it is expected to be a major tourist attraction in Saudi Arabia. The tower’s design features a sleek and modern look, with a tapering shape intended to evoke the image of a desert plant shooting up to the sky. The tower will also feature a viewing platform at its summit, offering visitors a breathtaking view of the city of Jeddah and the surrounding landscape.

Design and Architecture

Architectural Style

Jeddah Tower, previously known as Kingdom Tower, is a skyscraper construction project in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, a Chicago-based architecture firm, designed the building. The tower’s design embraces its architectural pedigree, taking full advantage of its lineage’s proven design and technological strategies, refining and advancing them to achieve new heights. The design is inspired by the folded fronds of young desert plant growth, a common sight in Saudi Arabia. The tower’s sloped façade is designed to minimize wind loads on the building and minimize the material needed to construct it.

Comparisons to Burj Khalifa

Jeddah Tower is planned to be the first 1 km (3,281 ft) tall building in the world, and it would be the world’s tallest building or structure upon completion. The tower will be almost 200 meters taller than the current world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. However, the tower’s height is not the only feature that sets it apart from the Burj Khalifa. The Jeddah Tower’s design is more aerodynamic than the Burj Khalifa’s, which helps to reduce the building’s wind loads and sway.

Aerodynamic Features

The Jeddah Tower’s aerodynamic features include its sloped façade, which reduces the building’s wind loads and sway. The building’s shape is also designed to reduce the vortex-shedding effect, which causes the wind to swirl around the building and create turbulence. The tower’s shape also helps to reduce the amount of material needed to construct it, which makes it more cost-effective and environmentally friendly. The tower’s shape is also designed to optimize natural light and reduce the energy needed to light the building.

Development

Jeddah Economic Company

Jeddah Tower, previously known as Kingdom Tower, is a skyscraper construction project in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The project is being developed by the Jeddah Economic Company, a joint venture between Saudi Arabian billionaire Prince Al-Waleed Bin Talal’s Kingdom Holding Company and the Saudi Binladin Group.

Funding and Ownership

The project has been financed by a combination of equity and debt. Most of the funding has come from the Kingdom Holding Company and the Binladin Group. Prince Al-Waleed Bin Talal, the chairman of the Kingdom Holding Company, has been a major investor in the project.

Construction Milestones

Construction of the tower began in 2013 and was initially scheduled to be completed in 2020. However, the completion date has been pushed back to 2025 due to delays. The tower’s construction was temporarily halted in 2017 due to financial issues faced by the Saudi Binladin Group, but it resumed in 2019 after restructuring the company.

The tower’s construction has faced several challenges, including delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite these challenges, the tower has reached several construction milestones. As of 2024, the tower has surpassed 600 meters in height and is expected to reach its full height of 1 kilometer upon completion.

Overall, the Jeddah Tower project represents a significant investment in developing Saudi Arabia’s economy and infrastructure. Its completion will make it the tallest building in the world and a major landmark in the region.

Height and Records

Tallest Building in the World

The Jeddah Tower, previously known as Kingdom Tower, is a skyscraper construction project in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. When completed, it is planned to be the first 1 km (3,280 ft) tall building, making it the world’s tallest building or structure. The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) has confirmed that the Jeddah Tower will surpass the current record holder, the Burj Khalifa, by 236 feet (72 meters).

Comparison to Other Skyscrapers

The Jeddah Tower’s height is truly remarkable. For comparison, the Empire State Building in New York City, once the most elevated building in the world, stands at 1,454 feet (443.2 meters). The Burj Khalifa, at present the tallest building in the world, stands at 2,717 feet (828 meters) tall. The Jeddah Tower’s height of 3,280 feet (1,000 meters) is more than 500 feet (152.4 meters) taller than the Burj Khalifa.

The Jeddah Tower’s construction began in 2013 and was initially scheduled to be completed in 2020. However, the project was delayed due to various challenges faced during construction. The construction resumed in 2021 and is expected to be completed shortly.

In conclusion, the Jeddah Tower is set to be the world’s tallest building, surpassing the Burj Khalifa by a significant margin. Its height of 3,280 feet (1,000 meters) is a testament to the wonderful engineering and construction capabilities of modern times.

Function and Usage

Jeddah Tower is a mixed-use skyscraper under construction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Upon completion, it will be the world’s tallest building, standing at a height of 1 kilometer (3,281 ft). The tower will have a total of 167 floors, including 59 elevators and 12 escalators.

Mixed-Use Development

The tower is designed as a mixed-use development with commercial, residential, and hotel spaces. The first five floors of the tower will be used as retail spaces, while the floors above and under the 90th floor will be used for offices. The residential floors start from the 94th floor and go up to the 114th floor, occupying only 20 floors.

Observation Deck

One of the most exciting features of the Jeddah Tower is its observation deck, which will be located on the 157th floor. Visitors can enjoy a breathtaking city view from the world’s highest observation deck. The observation deck will be accessible via a high-speed elevator traveling 10 meters per second.

Hotel and Residences

The Jeddah Tower will feature a Four Seasons Hotel, occupying the floors from 26th to 52nd. The hotel will have 200 rooms, including 121 guest rooms, 40 suites, and 39 serviced apartments. The hotel will also have a sky lobby, restaurants, a ballroom, and a spa.

The Jeddah Tower will have 318 residential units, including one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. The residences will be located from the 55th to the 93rd floor and have access to all the tower’s amenities, including the observation deck and the hotel.

In conclusion, the Jeddah Tower is a remarkable feat of engineering and architecture, designed as a mixed-use development with commercial, residential, and hotel spaces. Upon completion, it will be the world’s tallest building and offer visitors and residents a unique and luxurious experience.

Infrastructure

Elevators and Vertical Transportation

Jeddah Tower is expected to feature the world’s fastest elevators, capable of traveling at over 10 meters per second. The tower will have 59 elevators, including 54 single-deck and five double-deck elevators. The double-deck elevators will have a capacity of up to 54 people per cabin and will travel up to 660 meters in a single run, making them the world’s highest and longest double-deck elevators.

The elevators in Jeddah Tower will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including destination control systems that will reduce waiting times and improve passenger flow. The elevators will also feature advanced safety systems like earthquake and fire protection.

Structural Materials

Jeddah Tower will be constructed using a combination of steel and reinforced concrete. The tower’s foundation will be reinforced concrete, while the superstructure will be steel. The tower will also feature a reinforced concrete core, providing additional structural stability.

The steel used in Jeddah Tower will be of the highest quality, with a tensile strength of up to 690 megapascals. The steel will be sourced from reputable manufacturers and subject to rigorous quality control measures to ensure its strength and durability.

Overall, the combination of steel and reinforced concrete will provide Jeddah Tower with the necessary strength and stability to withstand extreme weather conditions and seismic activity.

Impact and Significance

Jeddah Economic City

Jeddah Tower is a significant part of the Jeddah Economic City project, a massive urban development project initiated by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. The project aims to diversify the Saudi economy and create new economic opportunities by investing in various sectors, including tourism, real estate, and infrastructure. The Jeddah Tower is expected to be a major attraction for tourists and guests, contributing to the expansion of the tourism sector in the region.

Urban Development in The Middle East

The Jeddah Tower is also part of a larger trend of urban development in the Middle East. The region has seen a surge in the construction of skyscrapers and other large-scale infrastructure projects in recent years. The Jeddah Tower is a prime example of this trend and is expected to be a major landmark in the region, attracting visitors and investors worldwide.

Cultural and Economic Symbolism

The Jeddah Tower is not just a symbol of urban development and economic growth, but it also has significant cultural and economic symbolism. Emaar, a Dubai-based real estate company, is building the tower. It is seen as a symbol of the growing economic ties between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Additionally, the tower’s design is inspired by traditional Islamic architecture, which reflects the cultural heritage of the region.

In conclusion, the Jeddah Tower is a significant project with far-reaching implications for the Middle East. It is not just a symbol of urban development and economic growth but also has significant cultural and economic symbolism. The tower is expected to contribute to the expansion of the tourism sector in the region and attract visitors and investors from around the world. The tower is also part of a larger trend of urban development in the Middle East and is expected to be a major landmark in the region.

Challenges and Controversies

Construction Delays

Jeddah Tower’s construction has been plagued by numerous delays, which have pushed back the completion date several times. The tower was initially scheduled to be completed in 2020, but construction was paused in 2018 due to financial issues and the Saudi Arabian purge. After a long hiatus, the project resumed in 2019 but was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, which caused further delays.

One of the main reasons for the delays was the departure of the original contractor, the Saudi Binladin Group, involved in a crane collapse incident at the Grand Mosque in Mecca in 2015. The group was subsequently banned from participating in new projects, and Mounib Hammoud, the CEO of Jeddah Economic Company, took over the Jeddah Tower project.

Financial Issues

Since its inception, financial issues have plagued

Jeddah Tower’s construction. The tower’s developer, Jeddah Economic Company, has struggled to secure funding for the project, which has resulted in numerous delays. In 2018, the project was put on hold due to a lack of funding, and it was not until 2019 that construction resumed.

The tower’s ambitious height has also contributed to its financial difficulties. The cost of constructing a tower of this size is astronomical, and Jeddah Economic Company has had to rely on investors and loans to finance the project. Despite these hardships, the company remains committed to completing the tower, which is expected to be the tallest building in the world.

In conclusion, Jeddah Tower’s construction has been plagued by numerous challenges and controversies, including construction delays, financial issues, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these setbacks, the tower’s developer remains committed to completing the project, which is expected to be a landmark architectural achievement.

Media and Public Perception

Coverage by Architecture and Design Outlets

Jeddah Tower has received extensive coverage in the architecture and design media, with many outlets reporting on its progress and design. Dezeen, a popular architecture and design website, has published numerous articles on the tower, highlighting its unique design and engineering challenges. The website has also reported on the controversy surrounding the project, including concerns about its environmental impact and the safety of its construction workers.

Meed, a Middle East business intelligence platform, has also covered the tower extensively, reporting on its economic impact and the challenges its developers face. The Middle East Economic Digest has published several articles on the tower, including an in-depth analysis of its design and construction.

Public Interest and Expectations

Jeddah Tower has generated significant public interest, with many eagerly anticipating its completion. Upon completion, the tower’s status as a supertall skyscraper and the world’s tallest skyscraper has captured the public’s imagination, with many people expressing awe and admiration for its design and engineering feats.

However, the tower has also faced criticism from some quarters, with concerns raised about its environmental impact and the safety of its construction workers. Despite these concerns, the tower remains a highly anticipated and closely watched project, with many people eagerly awaiting its completion.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the projected final height of the tower currently under construction in Jeddah?

The Jeddah Tower, previously known as the Kingdom Tower, is a skyscraper construction project in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The tower is planned to be the first 1 km (3,281 ft) tall building and would be the world’s tallest building or structure upon completion, standing 180 m taller than the current record holder, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

When is the expected completion date for the tower in Jeddah?

As of 2022, the Jeddah Tower structure is only one-third complete, and no Jeddah Tower finalization date still needs to be in sight. This is due to an Arabian purge in 2017 that led to the arrest and detainment of two key building shareholders.

How many floors will the Jeddah-based tower have upon completion?

The Jeddah Tower is expected to have 167 floors upon completion, with a total floor area of 243,866 square meters.

What are the reasons for the construction delays of the tower in Jeddah?

The construction of the Jeddah Tower has been delayed for various reasons, including the financial crisis of 2008, the death of the original architect, Adrian Smith, in 2019, and the arrest of key shareholders in 2017.

Will the tower in Jeddah surpass the height of the Burj Khalifa?

Yes, the Jeddah Tower is planned to be 180 meters taller than the Burj Khalifa and will become the world’s tallest building upon completion.

What are the estimated costs for completing the tower project in Jeddah?

The estimated cost for completing the Jeddah Tower project is approximately $1.5 billion.

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