New footage showcases the remarkable advancements on track to create the tallest building globally. The Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia surpassed 100 stories in April, exceeding 400 meters in height as it progresses towards becoming the first kilometer-tall building worldwide. Once finished, this skyscraper will stand at least 180 meters taller than Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the current tallest building at 830 meters.
Recently captured drone footage from May 2026 highlights the massive scale of the project, with the concrete and steel core towering over the cityscape shortly after reaching the 100-floor milestone in April. This ambitious venture is a key component of the $20 billion Jeddah Economic City development, aiming to revamp Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast into a prominent commercial and business center.
Designed by acclaimed architects Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill, the sleek tower draws inspiration from desert plant leaves, featuring a distinctive three-sided design that not only impresses visually but also aids in withstanding extreme winds at great heights. Upon completion, the skyscraper will accommodate a luxury Four Seasons hotel, upscale apartments, office spaces, and an anticipated highest observation deck globally, offering breathtaking views from 644 meters above ground level.
Additionally, the tower will include the tallest man-made viewing platform on the 157th floor, accessed by double-decker lifts traveling at speeds exceeding 10 meters per second. Engineers have lauded the project as a breakthrough in skyscraper design and construction, utilizing an innovative concrete-based structural system tailored to local construction techniques and materials.
Supported by a massive foundation comprising a five-meter-thick concrete raft resting on 270 bored piles, each up to 105 meters deep and 1.8 meters in diameter, the tower’s immense weight is meticulously accounted for. With an estimated construction cost of around £885 million (USD$1.2 billion), this 530,000-square-meter tower is poised to become an iconic global landmark.
If construction progresses as planned, the Jeddah Tower will not only secure the tallest building title but also become the first human-made structure to reach a full kilometer above ground level, marking a significant engineering feat.