Jeddah Tower: A New Global Landmark
- Height: 1,000m
- Technology Potential: Up to 9km
- Challenges: Unoccupied upper spaces
Since the advent of modern skyscrapers in the early 20th century, the height of the world’s tallest buildings has soared. From the 167-meter Philadelphia City Hall in the early 1900s to Dubai’s 828-meter Burj Khalifa in 2010, record-breaking structures have pushed architectural limits. Now, the Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia is set to extend that record by 172 meters, reaching an astonishing 1,000 meters.
Construction of the Jeddah Tower resumed in October after a hiatus since 2018. Experts agree that the technology to achieve such heights—and even greater ones—exists today, but practical and economic factors often set the ceiling.
The Gulf: Leading the Race to the Sky
The Gulf region remains the epicenter of the race for super-tall buildings. While countries like China have stepped back from building megastructures due to regulatory limits, and Africa and Southeast Asia are still catching up, the Gulf continues to break boundaries.
For example, while Malaysia recently completed the 679-meter Merdeka 118, it’s in places like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar where projects reaching 2,000 meters are being seriously considered. The ambition in the region, coupled with vast financial resources, allows developers to dream bigger than ever before.
How High Can We Build?
According to Bill Baker, a structural engineer who worked on the Burj Khalifa, research shows that ultra-high-performance concrete and advanced engineering could theoretically support towers up to nine kilometers tall—about the height of Mount Everest. However, physical challenges such as elevator systems, structural stability, and sway at extreme heights still present significant hurdles.
For instance, Finnish engineering firm Kone is pioneering lightweight carbon-fiber cables to enable elevators that can rise up to 660 meters without requiring bulky, weighty cables. Linear induction technology—essentially magnetic levitation—also holds promise, though its scalability for skyscrapers is still untested.
The Human Factor: Life in the Sky
Even if technology enables super-tall towers, the human experience at extreme heights raises questions. At 3,000 meters, conditions mimic high-altitude environments like those found in alpine regions, leading to potential altitude sickness, lower oxygen levels, and different sensory experiences—including altered taste in food.
Currently, upper-level units in super-tall towers are often purchased as status symbols rather than lived in full-time. The isolation and logistical challenges of life in the clouds make these units more about prestige than practicality.
Economic and Urban Impact
Beyond their height, super-towers are valuable as catalysts for economic growth and urban revitalization. Developments like Dubai’s Burj Khalifa have spurred real estate booms in surrounding areas, transforming neighborhoods into bustling hubs. Similarly, the Jeddah Tower is the centerpiece of the $20-billion Jeddah Economic City, a 57-million-square-foot project designed to reshape the region.
The Future of Super-Tall Towers
As cities continue to vie for architectural supremacy, the tallest structures may become less about habitation and more about utility and experience. Designs could include features like observation pods, vertical farms, or even tourist attractions rather than traditional residential or office spaces.
For now, the sky may be the limit, but humanity’s reach continues to stretch ever higher—reshaping skylines, cities, and our aspirations in the process.
