For more than a decade, Burj Khalifa has dominated the global skyline conversation. Rising 828 metres above Downtown Dubai, the iconic skyscraper has proudly held the title of the world’s tallest completed building since its inauguration in 2010. For residents of Dubai and architecture enthusiasts worldwide, the tower represents ambition, innovation and record-breaking engineering.
But the long-standing reign of Burj Khalifa as the tallest building in the world may soon face serious competition. Not one, but two ambitious mega projects in Saudi Arabia are aiming to surpass it — and by significant margins.
A Two-Kilometre Giant Planned for Riyadh
One of the most talked-about proposals is the Rise Tower, a visionary skyscraper planned for Riyadh. Early concepts suggest the tower could soar to an astonishing two kilometres in height. If approved and completed as envisioned, it would stand more than twice the height of Burj Khalifa.
The Rise Tower is reportedly backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, with initial designs revealed by global architecture firm HKS. While the project remains in the concept stage, the scale of ambition is undeniable.
Plans indicate the tower could include nearly 700 floors, housing ultra-luxury hotels, fine dining restaurants, premium office spaces and expansive observation decks offering panoramic views across Riyadh. At two kilometres tall, the building would not simply edge past current records — it would redefine what is structurally possible in modern skyscraper design.
Of course, such a project would require years of planning, engineering innovation and financial commitment. There is currently no confirmed completion date, and construction has not yet begun. But even as a proposal, the Rise Tower signals Saudi Arabia’s intent to reshape the global skyline conversation.
Jeddah Tower Is Rising Again
While Riyadh’s mega tower remains conceptual, Jeddah Tower is very real — and back under active construction.
Originally announced years ago and previously stalled, work on the tower resumed, bringing fresh momentum to the long-anticipated project. Once completed, Jeddah Tower is expected to exceed 1,000 metres in height, making it the first building in history to cross the one-kilometre milestone. That would place it approximately 172 metres taller than Burj Khalifa.
By the end of 2025, construction had progressed beyond the 80th floor. Work on the exterior glass façade is currently underway, marking visible progress on the skyline of Jeddah.
The completed tower is expected to feature luxury residences, commercial spaces, a five-star Four Seasons Hotel Jeddah, and a public observation deck offering sweeping views of the Red Sea. The estimated completion timeline points toward 2028, although major skyscraper projects of this scale often face adjustments along the way.
What makes this rivalry even more interesting is the architect behind the design. Jeddah Tower is being designed by Adrian Smith — the same visionary architect who led the design of Burj Khalifa during his time at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. In a way, it feels like a symbolic passing of the torch from one record-breaker to the next.
What This Means for Dubai
For now, Dubai still holds the crown. Burj Khalifa remains the tallest completed building in the world, welcoming millions of visitors each year to its observation decks, luxury residences and the prestigious Armani Hotel Dubai housed within the tower.
Even when Jeddah Tower surpasses it in height, Burj Khalifa will retain its legacy status as the building that transformed global expectations of vertical living and engineering. It redefined urban ambition when it opened and sparked a new era of mega-tall construction worldwide.
Dubai’s skyline is also about more than a single record. The city has built a global brand around architectural boldness, lifestyle appeal and tourism. Whether or not it holds the height record in the coming years, its impact on modern architecture is secure.
Still, records matter. The title of “world’s tallest building” carries undeniable prestige, attracting international attention, tourism and investment. If Jeddah Tower completes as planned around 2028, Dubai’s 18-year reign at the top will officially come to an end. Should Riyadh’s Rise Tower move from concept to construction, the competition would escalate to an entirely new level.
A New Era of Super-Tall Ambition
The race to the sky has always been about more than height. It reflects national vision, economic strategy and engineering capability. Saudi Arabia’s mega tower ambitions align with broader development plans aimed at diversifying its economy and positioning its cities as global hubs.
At the same time, projects of this magnitude test the limits of materials science, wind engineering, elevator technology and sustainable design. A two-kilometre tower would introduce unprecedented challenges in structural stability, vertical transportation and energy efficiency.
For architecture lovers, the coming decade promises to be fascinating. For Dubai residents, there may be a hint of nostalgia as the skyline crown edges closer to change.
But if history has shown anything, it is that skylines evolve. Records are broken. And cities continue to reinvent themselves.
Burj Khalifa may not stay the world’s tallest building forever — but its place in architectural history is already secured.
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