fter years of delays, construction on the Jeddah Tower, set to become the world's tallest building, has resumed in Saudi Arabia. Formerly known as Kingdom Tower, the skyscraper will, once completed, stand at 3,280 feet — becoming the first structure in history to reach over 1 kilometre in height. It is part of an ambitious US$20 billion economic development near the Red Sea, one of several megaprojects currently underway in the Kingdom. Jeddah Tower, a US$1.2 billion venture designed by Chicago-based Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, will encompass a mix of luxury hotels, offices, short-term rentals and condominiums. Jeddah Tower derives its name from its location in Jeddah, a major port city along the Red Sea and Saudi Arabia's second-most populous city.
The development of the tower is being managed by Emaar Properties PJSC. Thornton Tomasetti has been selected as the structural engineering firm, and Environmental Systems Design, Inc. (ESD) is a part of the AS + GG design team that serves as the building services engineering consultants.
Initiated in 2013, the construction was stopped in 2018 when its primary contractor, the Binladin Group, was removed following the arrest of its president Bakr bin Laden, stepbrother of Osama bin Laden as part of anti-corruption purge initiated by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The project was further delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. When construction was halted six years ago, approximately one-third of the construction had been completed, according to Architectural Digest.
The generators have been chosen to provide power for a site operating at 70-90% capacity. Capacitor-style generators are being used for power tools and air compressors. For minimal backup power requirements, generators with a power output of 1,000 to 5,500 watts have been specified. For heavy-duty backup power, generators with 12,000 to 20,000 watts are planned. Some items of equipment require more electricity to start up than they do to operate. Generators have been specified which can accommodate power surges which may occur when starting several machines or tools at once. Three-phase option generators on the construction site deliver a more stable and reliable power supply.
Diesel generators onsite have been chosen for their efficiency: while diesel fuel is more expensive than natural gas, it's also more energy-dense. Builders generally get more out of a unit of diesel than from the same volume of gas, it has been reported. Diesel is also a reliable energy source, making it an excellent choice for job sites that require a constant, long-term power supply. Diesel engines feature a rugged design which can withstand the rigours of heavy use and still provide a long lifespan, especially in the harsh environment of the UAE. Diesel is less flammable than many other fuel types. The absence of spark plugs in diesel engines lowers the likelihood of flash fires.
It is planned to be the first 1 km (3,281 ft) tall building and would be the world's tallest building or structure upon completion, standing 180 m (591 ft) taller than the Burj Khalifa.
The creator and leader of the project is Saudi Arabian prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, a grandson of Ibn Saud, and nephew of the Kings of Saudi Arabia after Ibn Saud. Al-Waleed is the chairman of Kingdom Holding Company (KHC), which is a partner in the Jeddah Economic Company (JEC), which was formed in 2009 for the development of Jeddah Tower and City.
Jeddah Tower's 50-hectare (120-acre) plot, along with surrounding buildings, will be the first of a three-phase Jeddah Economic City development. The three-phase project was proposed for a large area of undeveloped waterfront land with an area of 5.2 km2 (2 sq mi). The area is located roughly 20 km (12 mi) north of the port city of Jeddah. Jeddah Economic City was designed by HOK Architects, and will cost at least SR75 billion (US$20 billion) - the schedule suggests full completion by 2034.
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