JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia – The race to the sky has officially entered its final, most critical phase. In a decisive move this weekend, developers of the Jeddah Tower issued a fresh round of construction tenders aimed at finalizing the interior fit-outs and advanced mechanical systems for what will soon be the world's tallest building. This latest development, confirmed on Saturday, marks a pivotal moment in the project's resurgence, solidifying the Kingdom's commitment to completing the 1,000-meter architectural marvel by 2028.
The Race Reignited: New Tenders Signal Final Push
Sources close to the Jeddah Economic Company (JEC) revealed that the new tender packages focus on the skyscraper’s complex elevator systems, façade completion, and luxury interior finishes. This announcement comes just over a year after the project’s official restart in January 2025, silencing lingering skeptics and accelerating the tower's vertical ascent. With the core structure reportedly surpassing the 80th floor as of this week, the project is moving at a blistering pace of one floor every four days.
The issuance of these specific tenders indicates that the heavy lifting of the structural phase is proceeding according to schedule, allowing planners to lock in the vendors who will turn the concrete shell into a habitable icon. "This is no longer a question of 'if', but 'when'," noted a source familiar with the bidding process. "The invitation for these finishing contracts is the strongest signal yet that Saudi Arabia is fully invested in reclaiming the title of the world's tallest structure from Dubai."
Overcoming Past Delays
The journey of the Jeddah skyscraper has been tumultuous, with a multi-year hiatus that began in 2018. However, since the Saudi Binladin Group (SBG) resumed its role as the main contractor, the site has transformed from a dormant skeleton into a hive of 24/7 activity. The renewed momentum is backed by robust funding and a clear mandate from the highest levels of government, ensuring that previous logistical hurdles are a thing of the past.
Rising Above the Clouds: An Architectural Marvel
Designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, the Jeddah Tower is engineered to rise at least 172 meters higher than the current record-holder, the Burj Khalifa. The stats are staggering: upon completion, it will feature the world's highest observation deck, a luxury Four Seasons hotel, and sophisticated Class A office spaces. The tower’s unique three-petal footprint is aerodynamically designed to reduce wind load, a critical factor for a structure piercing the kilometer mark.
For enthusiasts of architectural tourism, the tower promises to be the ultimate pilgrimage site. The unparalleled height will offer views extending over the Red Sea, effectively placing visitors above the cloud line on humid days. This engineering feat requires one of the most sophisticated elevator systems ever devised, utilizing carbon-fiber cables to reach the upper echelons at record speeds.
Vision 2030: A Beacon for Luxury Travel
The completion of the Jeddah Tower is a centerpiece of Saudi Vision 2030, the Kingdom's ambitious roadmap to diversify its economy and boost tourism. The tower is not standing in isolation; it is the anchor of the wider Jeddah Economic City, a $20 billion project designed to be a global hub for business and leisure. This development is crucial for positioning Jeddah as one of the premier luxury travel destinations in the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia tourism news has been dominated recently by giga-projects like NEOM and the Red Sea Project, but the Jeddah Tower represents a different kind of prestige—a tangible, vertical assertion of technological prowess. By attracting millions of visitors annually, the tower is expected to generate significant economic ripples, creating thousands of jobs in hospitality, retail, and facility management.
As the cranes continue to lift Jeddah’s skyline to unprecedented heights, the global architectural community is watching closely. With these new tenders now in play, the countdown to 2028 has officially begun, promising a new era where the sky is no longer the limit.
