After years of delays and construction halts, Saudi Arabia's ambitious JEC Tower project is finally gaining significant momentum, with architects ASGG confirming an August 2028 completion date for what will become the world's tallest building. The supertall skyscraper, which has been in development for over a decade, has now reached the 69th floor of its central core and is set to exceed 1 kilometer in height, making it substantially taller than Dubai's current record-holder, the Burj Khalifa.
The tower, located in the Saudi port city of Jeddah under the direction of Saudi Prince Al Waleed bin Talal Al Saud, has undergone several name changes throughout its development. Originally called Kingdom Tower, it was later renamed Jeddah Tower before receiving its current designation as JEC Tower, named after the Jeddah Economic Company. The structure's planned height will make it nearly twice as tall as New York's One World Trade Center and more than three times the height of London's Shard.
When completed, the JEC Tower will feature 59 elevators serving at least 157 floors, housing the world's highest observation point, luxury hotel accommodations, office space, and residential units designed for affluent residents. The building's central core is currently leading construction progress, with the flanking wings approximately five floors behind. Construction crews are maintaining steady progress, and the tower is already transforming Jeddah's skyline even in its unfinished state.
Construction progress has shown significant acceleration in recent months after work resumed in January following years of inactivity. Approximately 50 percent of the concrete has been poured, representing substantial progress for a project of this unprecedented scale. ASGG released progress photographs in November demonstrating the construction advancement, and the specific completion timeline of August 2028 suggests the project is now operating on realistic schedules rather than optimistic projections.
The project's troubled history makes the current momentum particularly noteworthy, as many questioned whether the tower would ever be completed. Reaching the 69th floor represents a significant milestone, and the bold prediction of an August 2028 completion date is ambitious considering the remaining four-year timeline and the unprecedented scale of construction. Engineering challenges become increasingly complex at extreme heights, particularly regarding wind loads and structural integrity concerns.
With half the concrete already poured and visible construction progress continuing, the project is beginning to appear achievable. The next year will be crucial in determining whether the construction pace can be maintained and if the August 2028 target date is realistic or overly optimistic. ASGG has promised major updates as construction continues to climb higher, and the tower is already dominating Jeddah's skyline in its incomplete form. Whether the project finishes on schedule or requires additional time, Jeddah is positioned to receive its kilometer-tall landmark, with the primary question being the exact timing of completion.
