Rising high into Saudi sky: World's new tallest skyscraper progresses

JEC Tower November update

The JEC Tower in Saudi Arabia is moving ahead toward its goal of becoming the tallest skyscraper in the world. Recent construction activity on the project has accelerated after a long pause.

Current construction status

As of the latest update, the central core of the tower has now reached the 69th floor. The two flanking wings are progressing too, but remain roughly five floors lower than the core section.

Approximately half of the total concrete volume required for the structure has already been poured. This marks a significant milestone for a building that is planned to exceed 1 km in height.

Design and key features

Once completed, the JEC Tower is expected to contain at least 157 floors served by 59 elevators. The tower is designed to host offices, a luxury hotel, and high-end residential units.

The project also aims to include what is planned to be the highest observation point on the planet. This observation space is intended as a major tourist and branding highlight for Jeddah and Saudi Arabia.

Project leadership and ambitions

The development is led by Jeddah Economic Company, with Saudi Prince Al Waleed bin Talal Al Saud associated with the project’s leadership and vision. The tower is positioned as a symbol of Saudi Arabia’s large-scale economic and architectural ambitions on the Red Sea coast.

The final height has been confirmed as more than 1 km, although the exact figure may still change as the design evolves. Even at the minimum stated height, the skyscraper will be more than twice as tall as the Empire State Building and significantly higher than One World Trade Center.

Schedule and completion target

Construction resumed earlier this year after a multi‑year hiatus linked to earlier disruptions. Following the restart, the pace of work has increased markedly, with structural progress now being tracked floor by floor.

The expected completion date remains set for 2028, and has been refined to a target of August 2028. With the current rate of construction, more key milestones are anticipated over the next few years.

Context among global skyscrapers

When finished, JEC Tower is projected to surpass Dubai’s Burj Khalifa and become the world’s tallest skyscraper. Its height will exceed the Burj Khalifa by more than 150 m, according to current projections.

Beyond breaking height records, the tower is intended as the centerpiece of the broader Jeddah Economic City development on the Red Sea. This larger urban project will integrate commercial, residential, and leisure functions around the landmark building.

The tower’s team emphasizes that the project is not only about height records but also about redefining Jeddah’s role as a global business and tourism hub.

Author summary

A kilometer‑plus JEC Tower in Jeddah is rapidly rising again after years of pause, with its core at floor 69 and completion targeted for August 2028, aiming to outscale Burj Khalifa and anchor Jeddah’s new economic district.

New Atlas — 2025-11-29