Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building for more than a decade, may soon lose its record as new skyscraper projects in Saudi Arabia move forward. Standing at 828 metres, the landmark tower has dominated global height rankings since its completion in 2010. But two ambitious developments in Saudi Arabia — one already under construction and another in the planning stages — aim to surpass it.
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The most advanced of the projects is Jeddah Economic Company Tower, also known as JEC Tower, which is planned to exceed 1,000 metres in height. If completed as intended, the structure would become the first building to cross the one-kilometre mark and take the title from Dubai’s flagship skyscraper.
A second proposal, known as Rise Tower, has been outlined as part of a broader development in Riyadh. The project envisions a structure reaching two kilometres in height, though it remains at the design stage.
Jeddah tower construction resumes
Construction of the Jeddah Economic Company Tower has faced several interruptions since the project was first announced more than a decade ago.
Work resumed in 2025 after Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal announced the restart on social media. Shortly afterwards, Kingdom Holding Company confirmed that construction activity had officially resumed.
By March 2026, the tower had reportedly risen above its 91st floor, reaching approximately 370 metres. Construction is progressing on a five-day cycle for each floor, supported by an estimated workforce of around 5,200 people.
The skyscraper is designed to include luxury residential apartments, office space and commercial areas. Plans also feature a Four Seasons hotel and an observation deck offering views across the city of Jeddah and the Red Sea.
Glass façade installation has already begun as the building continues to rise.
Developers say the tower will form part of the first phase of Jeddah Economic Company City, a wider urban development project covering around 5.3 million square metres. The initial phase spans about 1.3 million square metres and includes core infrastructure such as electricity, water supply, sewage systems, flood drainage and high-speed internet.
The remaining construction costs — estimated at about 6 billion dirhams — are expected to be funded through internal financing and bank facilities.
Completion of the tower is currently projected for 2028.
Riyadh’s proposed “Rise Tower”
Alongside the Jeddah project, Saudi Arabia is also considering a far larger structure in Riyadh known as Rise Tower.
Global architectural firm HKS revealed concept designs for the building in 2025. Backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, the proposal envisions a skyscraper reaching around two kilometres in height.
If realised, the structure would significantly surpass any existing building worldwide.
The planned tower would contain about 678 floors, with space allocated for luxury hotels, offices, restaurants and observation decks.
Rise Tower is intended to anchor a large master-planned development known as the North Pole project — a proposed “city of the future” covering roughly 306 square kilometres.
However, the project remains at the design stage and a construction timeline has not yet been confirmed.
Regional rivalry in supertall towers
Dubai may also be preparing a response to the challenge.
Reports in 2024 suggested that Emaar, the developer behind the Burj Khalifa, could be working on plans for another “super tower” in the city aimed at rivaling the existing record holder.
For now, the Burj Khalifa retains its position as the tallest structure ever built. But with construction advancing in Jeddah and ambitious plans emerging in Riyadh, the skyline record could soon shift to Saudi Arabia.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 24 April 2026
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