Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia has surpassed New York City’s Central Park Tower, reaching approximately 474 meters as construction advances toward its ambition of becoming the world’s tallest building.
The milestone was confirmed by John Peronto, managing principal at engineering firm Thornton Tomasetti and project manager for the tower, who said the structure was approaching 500 meters in height.
Located in Jeddah, the skyscraper is designed to rise more than 1,000 meters upon completion, surpassing Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, which currently stands at 828 meters.
The tower has now exceeded Central Park Tower in Manhattan, which reaches approximately 472 meters and holds the record as the world’s tallest all-residential building.
Designed by Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill of AS+GG Architecture, Jeddah Tower features a tapered, aerodynamic form intended to help manage wind forces at extreme heights.
Saudi Binladin Group is leading construction of the landmark development, which forms part of Saudi Arabia’s broader ambitions to expand its urban infrastructure and international investment appeal.
The development is planned to accommodate residential apartments, office spaces, commercial facilities and a luxury hotel, combining multiple uses within a single high-rise complex.
One of the tower’s planned attractions is an elevated observation terrace near the 160th floor, which is expected to offer visitors panoramic views of Jeddah and the surrounding Red Sea coastline.
Construction of the terrace’s steel structure is scheduled to begin in 2027, marking another major stage in the development of the tower’s upper sections.
Engineers continue to address the technical challenges of constructing a building exceeding one kilometer in height, including structural stability, wind resistance, vertical transportation and the coordination of complex building systems.
The project is targeting completion in August 2028, according to project representatives, although progress will depend on the continued execution of its demanding construction programme.
Once completed, Jeddah Tower is expected to overtake the Burj Khalifa and establish a new global height record, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position in the development of ambitious architectural and engineering projects.
Beyond its record-breaking height, the project also highlights wider discussions about the environmental impact of skyscraper construction, including the importance of sustainable materials, energy efficiency and adapting existing buildings to reduce carbon emissions. More
