Two projects are rivalling the Dubai icon
A proposed mega-project in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, plans to build the Rise Tower, a structure reaching two kilometres in height.
Once completed, it is expected to become the world’s tallest building, surpassing the Burj Khalifa.
While the iconic symbol of Dubai stands at an incredible 828 metres, the Saudi Arabian project is slated to be 2,000 metres. Saudi Arabia also plans to complete a 1 km-tall tower in Jeddah, which would also surpass the Burj Khalifa in the tall building rankings.
Additionally, a report from 2024 mentioned that Emaar is potentially working on a new “super tower” in Dubai to rival the Burj Khalifa.
Global architectural firm HKS recently unveiled design proposals for the massive Saudi Public Investment Fund-backed project in Riyadh.
Riyadh’s plans for a massive world-record-breaking tower have been in the pipeline since 2023, but it remains a long way from the big opening date, with it still in the design phase.
Once complete, the Rise Tower will have 678 floors housing luxury hotels, fine dining restaurants, observation decks and high-end offices.
It will be the centrepiece of a proposed 306 square kilometre ‘city of the future’ masterplan called the North Pole development.
What about the Jeddah Economic Company Tower?
The proposed Rise Tower in Riyadh is set to be double the size of another massive Saudi Arabian project – the Jeddah Economic Company Tower.
Jeddah’s long-running project, set to be a minimum of 1,000 metres, has been in the pipeline for more than a decade, but construction has been stop-start.
Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal announced the resumption of work with a post on social media last year, saying “we’re back” along with an artist’s rendering of the completed tower.
And on Monday January 20, the Kingdom Holding Company officially revealed that work was finally back up and running on the building.
As of December 2025, the Jeddah Economic Company Tower appears to have soared above the 80th floor.
Work on the glass façades has begun on the 1km tall tower, which will feature luxury residential units, commercial spaces, a Four Seasons hotel and an observation deck offering views of Jeddah and the Red Sea.
It is anticipated that Jeddah Tower will be over 1,000 metres – or more than one kilometre in height. The main structure of the tower is expected to exceed 1.5 kilometres.
Jeddah Economic Company will fund the remaining Dhs6 billion through internal funding and banking facilities.
A statement by the company said: “The tower will be part of the first phase of 1.3 million square meters of the total area of Jeddah Economic Company City, which is approximately 5.3 million square meters.
“The infrastructure development for the entire first phase, spanning 1.3 million square meters, has been executed, containing essential amenities such as electricity, water, sewage, flood drainage, and high-speed internet connectivity.”
Construction is expected to be completed by 2028, so the Burj Khalifa has a while to enjoy being the top dog.
The Saudi project has been designed by Adrian Smith, the same American architect behind Burj Khalifa.
