Newly released footage showcases the remarkable advancements made on the soon-to-be tallest skyscraper globally. Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia surpassed the 100-story mark in April, soaring over 400 meters high as it approaches its record-breaking goal of becoming the world’s first kilometer-tall building.
Upon completion, this skyscraper will surpass Dubai’s Burj Khalifa by at least 180 meters. The latest drone footage from May 2026 highlights the massive concrete and steel core of the tower, standing prominently above the cityscape shortly after reaching the 100-floor milestone.
Part of the $20 billion Jeddah Economic City development, this ambitious project aims to revitalize Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coastline into a significant commercial and business center. Designed by renowned architects Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill, the tower’s unique three-sided structure draws inspiration from desert plant leaves, providing both aesthetic appeal and wind-resistance at extreme heights.
Once finished, the skyscraper will accommodate a luxury Four Seasons hotel, upscale apartments, office spaces, and the anticipated highest observation deck globally, offering panoramic views from 644 meters above ground level. Additionally, it will feature the tallest human-made viewing platform on the 157th floor, accessible via high-speed double-decker lifts.
The engineers leading this project consider the structure a groundbreaking achievement in skyscraper architecture and construction. Unlike traditional steel frameworks, Jeddah Tower utilizes an innovative concrete-based structural system tailored to local construction methods and materials.
Supported by a massive foundation comprising a five-meter-thick concrete raft resting on 270 bored piles, each extending up to 105 meters underground, the tower is estimated to cost around £885 million (USD$1.2 billion) to construct. If construction progresses as planned, Jeddah Tower will not only claim the title of the world’s tallest building but also become the first human-made structure to reach a full kilometer in height, a remarkable engineering feat.