Short Stuff: Jeddah Tower - Stuff You Should Know Recap

Podcast: Stuff You Should Know

Published: 2026-03-18

Duration: 11 min

What Happened

Jeddah Tower, upon completion, is set to become the tallest building in the world, surpassing the Burj Khalifa. Initiated by billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, the project began in 2008 as part of a larger vision to develop Jeddah Economic City in Saudi Arabia.

Designed by American architect Adrian Smith, the structure of the Jeddah Tower is unique with a continuously tapering triangular shape. This design was chosen for its aerodynamic efficiency, allowing the building to withstand high wind forces at extreme heights.

Construction of the tower faced significant delays, halting in 2018 due to political turmoil and later COVID-19. Prince Mohammed bin Salman's anti-corruption purge in 2017, which included the arrest of key financial backers, further complicated progress.

The Jeddah Tower will feature an open-air observation deck and luxurious accommodations, including a hotel and apartments. The structure includes innovative engineering solutions like deep concrete pilings equipped with sensors to monitor structural integrity.

After a long pause, construction resumed in September 2023, with 80 of the planned 167 floors completed by January. Despite the setbacks, the project is progressing at a rapid pace, aiming for completion in the coming years.

Jeddah's significance extends beyond the tower, with historical claims such as housing the tomb of Eve, lending cultural weight to its development. The city aims to enhance its global profile through such ambitious architectural endeavors.

Key Insights

• Jeddah Tower aims to reach over 3,280 feet, making it the first kilometer-high building, eclipsing the Burj Khalifa's 2,717 feet.
• Adrian Smith's design uses a triangular shape to enhance stability against wind forces, unlike the Burj Khalifa's tapering stages.
• The construction faced a halt due to a 2017 political crisis in Saudi Arabia, exacerbated by COVID-19, but resumed in 2023.
• The tower's foundation includes pilings with sensors to ensure safety, despite years of inactivity and potential environmental damage.