RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s ambitious JEC Tower has achieved a major construction milestone, rising beyond 100 storeys and moving closer to its goal of becoming the tallest building ever constructed. The skyscraper has now reached 102 floors, marking significant progress toward its planned height of more than one kilometre.
Construction has gathered pace in recent months. In November last year, the structure stood at 69 storeys, meaning more than 30 additional levels have been completed in a relatively short period. Reaching the 100-storey threshold places the tower among a select group of supertall buildings worldwide.
The project was designed by architectural firm Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture and is expected to feature at least 157 floors when completed. Upon reaching its final height, the tower will comfortably exceed the 828-metre-tall Burj Khalifa, currently the world’s tallest building, and will stand nearly twice as tall as One World Trade Center.
Building at such extraordinary heights presents unique engineering challenges. Project engineers from Thornton Tomasetti have pointed to the importance of using construction methods and materials suited to local conditions. Concrete plays a central role in the tower’s design, reflecting its widespread use and proven performance in the region.
Rather than relying on a conventional system of columns and transfer structures, the tower employs an interconnected network of load-bearing walls. This approach allows the building to efficiently manage both gravitational and wind forces while supporting a streamlined construction process.
The foundations are equally impressive. The structure will sit on a five-metre-thick raft foundation reinforced by 270 deep bored piles. Each pile measures 1.8 metres in diameter and extends as far as 105 metres into the ground, providing the stability required for a building of unprecedented scale.
Previously known as the Kingdom Tower and later Jeddah Tower, the skyscraper forms the focal point of a large mixed-use development in Jeddah. Plans include a luxury hotel, premium residences, office space, and what is expected to become the highest observation deck in the world.
The tower is a key component of Saudi Arabia’s wider programme of large-scale developments aimed at reducing dependence on oil revenues and attracting international visitors and investment. While headline projects such as The Line and Mukaab have undergone revisions and delays, JEC Tower’s recent progress suggests renewed confidence and momentum behind one of the Kingdom’s most ambitious construction projects.
