For more than a decade, Burj Khalifa has been crowned as the tallest building in the world
The long-held title of Burj Khalifa being the tallest building in the world could soon be gone, with not one but two mega towers planned in Saudi Arabia.
A two-kilometre skyscraper planned for Riyadh
The Rise Tower, a proposed mega-building in Riyadh that could be two kilometres high. If it gets the green light, the tower will be more than double the height of Burj Khalifa, which currently stands at 828 metres, and take the title of the tallest building.
The project is backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, with early designs revealed by global architecture firm HKS. While it’s still in the concept stage, and potentially years away from becoming reality, the ambition is huge.
Plans suggest the Rise Tower could feature close to 700 floors, packed with ultra-luxury hotels, restaurants, observation decks and office space.
Also read: Top restaurants with Burj Khalifa views in Dubai
Jeddah Tower is back on site
The Jeddah Tower is officially under construction and when complete, it’s expected to rise beyond 1,000 metres, which is roughly around 172 metres taller.
By the end of 2025, the tower had climbed past the 80th floor, with work now underway on its glass exterior. The finished building will include luxury homes, commercial space, a five-star Four Seasons hotel and a public viewing deck with Red Sea views.
So… what does this mean for Dubai?
For now, Burj Khalifa remains the tallest completed building in the world, and it’s not losing that crown just yet. Jeddah Tower is expected to be finished around 2028, while Riyadh’s Rise Tower is still in talks and don’t have an exact date just yet.
And here’s a fun fact: Jeddah Tower is being designed by Adrian Smith – raised in America and is the same architect behind Burj Khalifa.
Image: What’s On Archive
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