Aya Yesentayeva
Luxury Hotelier | Travel Enthusiast
Presently, two titans of engineering rise above all others, quite literally, which has started the neck-to-neck competition leading to the debate of Jeddah Tower vs Burj Khalifa.
The Burj Khalifa, currently the world’s tallest building at 2,722 feet, is about to be dethroned by the ambitious Jeddah Tower, which will pierce the Saudi Arabian sky at an astounding 3,281 feet—a height that would stack 11 Statues of Liberty end to end.
These mega-structures, both designed by architectural virtuoso Adrian Smith, represent more than just a race to the clouds; they embody the economic aspirations and technological prowess of two Middle Eastern powerhouses.
As the Jeddah Tower emerges from its construction challenges to challenge the Burj Khalifa’s dominance, a new chapter in architectural history is being written.
The Battle of the Mega-Towers: Jeddah Tower and Burj Khalifa
The landscape of architectural magnificence is about to witness a dramatic shift as the Jeddah Tower prepares to surpass the iconic Burj Khalifa as the world’s tallest building.
While the Burj Khalifa has dominated Dubai’s skyline at an impressive 2,722 feet, the Jeddah Tower is set to shatter records by reaching an unprecedented height of 3,281 feet—nearly 11 times taller than the Statue of Liberty.
These architectural marvels represent more than just engineering achievements; they symbolise the ambitious vision and economic prosperity of their respective regions.
The Burj Khalifa has established itself as Dubai’s crown jewel, whilst the Jeddah Tower emerges as Saudi Arabia’s bold statement of growth and innovation. Both structures feature mixed-use spaces, including residential units, commercial areas, and luxury amenities, setting new standards for vertical cities of the future.
Design Innovation and Engineering Mastery
The architectural genius behind both towers, Adrian Smith, has revolutionised supertall building design through innovative structural systems.
Both structures employ a “buttressed core” system, featuring three wings that flank a central core of high-performance concrete. This design ensures exceptional stability and efficient load distribution from top to bottom.
Where the towers diverge is in their aesthetic approach. The Jeddah Tower showcases a slender, subtly asymmetrical massing that evokes a bundle of leaves, with its three-petal footprint and tapering wings specifically designed to reduce wind loads through vortex shedding. In contrast, the Burj Khalifa maintains a more symmetrical profile.
Rather than relying on traditional steel frameworks, both structures utilise heavy concrete walls as their primary support system. This departure from 20th-century construction methods allows for greater height potential whilst maintaining structural integrity.
The Jeddah Tower takes this concept further with a smooth, sloped façade and sophisticated notches that create shadow pockets and outdoor terraces, enhancing both its aesthetic appeal and functional design.
Height and Number of Floors: A Tale of Two Giants
The Burj Khalifa currently reigns supreme at 828 metres, featuring 163 occupied floors that house a vertical city of residences, offices, and attractions. However, its crown is set to be claimed by an even more ambitious project.
The Jeddah Tower will soar beyond the kilometre mark, reaching over 1,000 metres into the Saudi Arabian sky—surpassing its predecessor by more than 172 metres.
This dramatic height difference represents more than just numbers; it showcases the evolution of engineering capabilities and architectural ambition.
While the Burj Khalifa revolutionised what was possible in supertall construction, the Jeddah Tower pushes these boundaries further with its planned 170-plus stories.
The exact floor count, though not yet finalised, is expected to exceed 200 levels, marking a significant leap forward in vertical development.
As these architectural giants transform their respective skylines, they stand as testament to humanity’s relentless pursuit of reaching ever higher into the heavens.
Location and Urban Context
The Burj Khalifa stands proudly in Dubai, UAE, a city renowned as a global financial and tourist hub.
Its strategic placement has transformed Dubai’s urban landscape, cementing the emirate’s position as an architectural pioneer and economic powerhouse. However, occupancy concerns have raised questions about its long-term economic impact on the region.
In contrast, the Jeddah Tower rises from Saudi Arabia’s second-most populous city, Jeddah, along the vibrant Red Sea coast. The tower forms the centrepiece of Kingdom City, an ambitious $20 billion multi-use urban development project.
This strategic location capitalises on local construction expertise and materials, particularly concrete techniques common in Middle Eastern architecture.
The project aims to stimulate significant economic growth in the Hejaz region, creating employment opportunities and boosting tourism while honouring Saudi Arabia’s rich architectural heritage.
Both towers serve as catalysts for urban development in their respective locations, though they approach this role through distinctly different cultural and economic contexts.
Construction and Completion Status
The Jeddah Tower’s journey skyward has been marked by both ambition and challenges.
Construction began in 2013 but faced a significant pause in 2018 due to an anti-corruption campaign and subsequent delays from the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of 2023, work has resumed with renewed vigour following a SAR 7.2 billion agreement between Jeddah Economic Company and Saudi Binladin Group. Currently, 63 of the planned 157 floors stand complete, representing approximately one-third of the final structure.
The Burj Khalifa’s completion in 2010 set the benchmark for supertall construction, demonstrating the feasibility of such ambitious projects.
Its successful execution paved the way for even loftier goals, as evidenced by the Jeddah Tower’s planned height of 1,000 meters.
With an anticipated completion date of 2028, the project is advancing steadily, incorporating sophisticated engineering solutions including an advanced elevator system and what will become the world’s highest observation deck.
As construction progresses, both towers stand as testaments to human ingenuity in overcoming the challenges of vertical construction, though at different stages in their respective journeys.
Tourist Attractions and World-Class Amenities
The Jeddah Tower will feature the world’s highest observation deck at 664 metres, offering visitors a breathtaking 360-degree view of the Red Sea and surrounding landscape from a 500-square-metre outdoor platform.
This remarkable vantage point will surpass the Burj Khalifa’s observation deck, which currently sits at 555 metres.
Both towers house prestigious hospitality offerings, with the Jeddah Tower set to welcome a five-star Four Seasons Hotel comprising 200 rooms and seven duplex apartments.
The tower’s mixed-use design includes 325 luxury apartments across four residential tiers, premium office space spanning seven floors, and an array of high-end retail outlets.
The Burj Khalifa maintains its reputation for luxury with similar amenities, though the Jeddah Tower elevates the experience with its innovative double-decker elevator system, whisking visitors directly to the observation deck.
The tower’s integration within the Jeddah Tower Waterfront District creates a pedestrian-friendly environment complete with parks, shopping areas, and sophisticated transport infrastructure, promising an unparalleled visitor experience that redefines vertical living.
Cost and Economic Impact
The Jeddah Tower represents a significant financial investment, with construction costs estimated at $1.9 billion as part of the larger $20 billion Jeddah Economic City development.
This ambitious project is poised to transform Jeddah’s economic landscape, creating thousands of jobs and spurring substantial urban growth in the surrounding area.
Similar to how the Burj Khalifa catalysed Dubai’s development and drove up property values in Downtown Dubai, the Jeddah Tower is expected to dramatically increase real estate prices in its vicinity.
The project’s mixed-use design, featuring luxury residences, premium office space, and high-end retail, positions it as a powerful economic engine for Saudi Arabia’s second-largest city.
The tower’s impact extends beyond immediate construction jobs, promising long-term employment opportunities in hospitality, retail, and property management.
As a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the project demonstrates the kingdom’s commitment to diversifying its economy and establishing Jeddah as a global business and tourism destination, much as the Burj Khalifa helped transform Dubai into an international hub.
Elevator Systems and Accessibility
The Jeddah Tower’s vertical transportation system showcases remarkable innovation with 59 elevators, including five double-deck units strategically positioned throughout the structure.
The tower employs KONE’s groundbreaking “UltraRope” technology featuring a carbon-fiber core, enabling elevators to travel up to 1,000 meters—twice the distance of conventional systems.
Three sky lobbies facilitate efficient transfers between zones, while advanced digital destination dispatching optimises traffic flow.
The tower’s sophisticated network includes dedicated fire/service/medical emergency elevators divided into low-rise, high-rise, and super-penthouse groups, ensuring maximum safety and efficiency.
Both towers maintain maximum downward speeds of 10 m/s for passenger comfort, though the Jeddah Tower incorporates additional “lifeboat” evacuation capabilities and enhanced seismic protection.
Its three-petal footprint design influences the elevator system’s layout, creating a more efficient vertical transportation network compared to the Burj Khalifa’s configuration. The complex arrangement of local and express elevators serving specific zones prevents system overburden while ensuring seamless accessibility throughout the structure.
The Future of Vertical Architecture
As these architectural behemoths reach ever higher into the sky, they redefine not just physical boundaries but our very conception of what’s possible in modern construction.
The rivalry between the Jeddah Tower and Burj Khalifa transcends mere height statistics, representing a broader competition between nations vying for architectural and economic supremacy in the Middle East.
While the Burj Khalifa has already proven itself as a transformative force in Dubai’s landscape, the Jeddah Tower promises to push boundaries even further, setting new standards for sustainable vertical cities and innovative engineering solutions.
As we witness this spectacular battle of the mega-towers, one thing becomes clear: the limits of human ambition and architectural achievement continue to soar to new heights.
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