The global skyscraper landscape has entered a transformative era. As of mid-2026, the architectural world is no longer just dreaming of reaching the clouds; it is actively constructing the next generation of megatall structures that will redefine human engineering. The most significant catalyst for this renewed vigor is the official resumption of the Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia. After a prolonged hiatus that left a skeletal concrete core standing in the desert for years, the project’s restart in early 2025 has ignited a global competition to break the 1,000-meter barrier.

This new wave of vertical expansion is driven by more than just ego. It represents a convergence of advanced materials science, a shift in global economic power toward the Middle East, and a redefined approach to urban density. From the 725-meter residential luxury of Burj Azizi in Dubai to the symbolic 1,001-meter vision in Kuwait, the world's tallest planned buildings are pushing the boundaries of what is structurally possible.

The Return of the King in Jeddah

The centerpiece of the global skyscraper race remains the Jeddah Tower. Formerly known as Kingdom Tower, this structure is designed to be the first man-made building to reach a height of at least 1,008 meters (3,307 feet). Following a total construction freeze that lasted from 2018 through 2024, the site saw a massive re-mobilization of workforce and resources in January 2025.

By April 2026, the tower successfully surpassed the 100-floor milestone, a psychological and structural victory for the Saudi developers. The design, helmed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, utilizes a three-pronged, tapered footprint. This aerodynamic "Y" shape is not merely aesthetic; it is a critical engineering response to the immense wind loads experienced at extreme altitudes. By tapering as it rises, the tower minimizes the surface area exposed to high-velocity winds and disrupts vortex shedding—the swirling winds that can cause massive structures to sway dangerously.

The foundation of the Jeddah Tower is an engineering marvel in itself. It is supported by a network of 270 bored reinforced concrete piles, each plunging 110 meters deep into the earth. These are anchored into a five-meter-thick raft foundation designed to distribute the millions of tons of weight across the desert soil. With a target completion date of August 2028, the Jeddah Tower is poised to finally strip the "World's Tallest Building" title from Dubai's Burj Khalifa.

Dubai’s Defensive Architecture and Burj Azizi

Dubai is not surrendering its vertical dominance without a fight. While the Burj Khalifa remains the current record holder at 828 meters, the city has greenlit several projects to ensure it remains the global capital of supertalls. The most prominent among these is Burj Azizi, which resumed active construction in 2025.

Planned to reach a height of 725 meters (2,379 feet), Burj Azizi is set to become the second-tallest building in the world upon completion, expected by late 2028. Unlike many other megatalls that prioritize office space, Burj Azizi is primarily a luxury residential and hospitality project. Its design features a sculptural, tapering form that integrates a 7-star hotel and a vertical shopping mall.

The strategic location of Burj Azizi near the Dubai World Trade Center underscores a shift in Dubai’s urban planning: moving away from isolated "trophy" towers toward highly integrated, high-density residential hubs. Furthermore, the Uptown Dubai Tower 1 remains a significant player in the city’s skyline strategy. Planned at 711 meters, it aims to provide a massive influx of Grade-A office space, designed by the same architects responsible for the Burj Khalifa and the Jeddah Tower.

The Symbolic Reach of Burj Mubarak Al Kabir

In Kuwait, the proposed Burj Mubarak Al Kabir represents the pinnacle of "visionary" planning. With a planned height of 1,001 meters, the tower’s height is a deliberate cultural reference to the "One Thousand and One Nights" tales. It is intended to be the crown jewel of Madinat Al-Hareer, or Silk City, a massive development project in northern Kuwait aimed at diversifying the nation’s economy.

Unlike the Jeddah Tower, Burj Mubarak Al Kabir has yet to move into the heavy construction phase. It remains a "vision" project, but it serves as a critical indicator of regional competition. The technical specifications are ambitious: three interlocking towers that twist to provide structural rigidity and allow for internal open spaces at extreme heights. If realized, it would join the Jeddah Tower in the exclusive "Kilometer Club," effectively doubling the number of buildings that stand more than twice the height of the Empire State Building.

Global Challengers Beyond the Middle East

While the Middle East is the epicenter of the 1,000-meter race, other regions are planning significant vertical expansions that challenge regional records.

The Rise of Lakhta Center II in Russia

In St. Petersburg, the Lakhta Center II is planned to reach 703 meters. This would make it the second-tallest building in the world (depending on the completion timing of Dubai’s projects) and the tallest in Europe by a massive margin. The design features a spiraling glass facade that continues the aesthetic established by the original Lakhta Center, currently the tallest building in Europe.

The Oklahoma City Surprise: Legends Tower

Perhaps the most unexpected entry in the global supertall race is the Legends Tower in Oklahoma City. Originally proposed at a more modest height, the plans were revised to 581 meters (1,907 feet) to honor the year Oklahoma became a state (1907). While it does not reach the 700+ meter heights of Middle Eastern projects, it would become the tallest building in the United States, surpassing New York’s One World Trade Center. The project faces skepticism regarding the economic viability of such a tall building in a mid-sized American city, yet it recently received crucial zoning approvals.

Kuala Lumpur’s Pursuit of Height

Following the success of Merdeka 118 (678.9 meters), Malaysia is looking toward "Tower M." Proposed as part of the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) development, Tower M is envisioned as a 700-meter megatall. The project aims to regain the regional title for Malaysia, though the government has signaled a cautious approach to ensure the market can absorb such a massive influx of office space.

Engineering Challenges at the 1,000 Meter Threshold

Building to a height of one kilometer involves overcoming physical laws that do not apply to standard skyscrapers. The engineering hurdles are categorized into four primary areas: vertical transportation, concrete technology, wind management, and life safety.

Vertical Transportation and Elevator Technology

In a building like the Jeddah Tower, a traditional elevator system would be impossible. The weight of the steel cables required to lift a car 1,000 meters would be so great that the cables would snap under their own weight. To solve this, companies like Otis and Kone have developed "UltraRope"—carbon fiber cables that are significantly lighter and stronger than steel. Additionally, these megatalls utilize "double-deck" elevators and sophisticated sky-lobby systems, where passengers change elevators at various heights, similar to changing trains at a transit hub.

The Pumping of Concrete

How do you get liquid concrete to the 150th floor? The pressure required to pump concrete to heights exceeding 600 meters is immense. High-strength concrete mixes must be engineered to remain fluid enough to be pumped while hardening quickly enough to support the floors above. In the Jeddah Tower’s construction, specialized high-pressure pumps and chilled water systems are used to manage the temperature of the concrete, preventing it from cracking during the curing process in the intense Saudi heat.

Wind Loads and Damping Systems

At 1,000 meters, wind is the primary structural enemy. The Jeddah Tower’s "Y" shape helps, but most megatalls also require a Tuned Mass Damper (TMD). This is essentially a massive steel ball or concrete block, often weighing hundreds of tons, suspended near the top of the building. When the wind pushes the building in one direction, the TMD moves in the opposite direction, acting as a counterweight to neutralize the sway.

The Reality of Vanity Height

A controversial aspect of the world's tallest planned buildings is the concept of "Vanity Height." This is the distance between the highest occupied floor and the architectural top of the building (including spires). According to CTBUH data, many of the world's tallest buildings are "shorter" than they appear.

For example, the Burj Khalifa has a vanity height of 244 meters—nearly 30% of its total height is non-occupiable spire. The Jeddah Tower will also feature a significant spire, though its highest occupied floor is expected to be around 640 meters. This architectural strategy is often used to secure a world record without the extreme cost of building usable floors at such high altitudes, where the floor plate becomes too small to be economically viable.

Why Do Megatall Projects Stall and Restart?

The history of the tallest planned buildings is littered with stalled projects. The Jeddah Tower (stopped in 2018), Burj Azizi (formerly Entisar Tower, stopped in 2016), and Golden Finance 117 in China (stopped in 2015) all faced the same enemies: financing and geopolitical shifts.

  1. Economic Volatility: These projects take 10-15 years to complete. During that time, the global economy can shift multiple times. The 2018-2024 pause for Jeddah Tower was influenced by regional political shifts and the global pandemic.
  2. Market Saturation: In cities like Tianjin, China, the demand for office space could not keep up with the supply provided by projects like Golden Finance 117 (597 meters). This led to the project being labeled the "World's Tallest Abandoned Building" until its recent 2025 resumption.
  3. The "Skyscraper Index": Economists often point to the construction of the world's tallest buildings as a herald of an impending economic downturn. The massive capital investment required often peaks just as the credit cycle turns.

However, the 2025-2026 resumptions suggest a new era of sovereign-wealth-backed construction. In Saudi Arabia, the Jeddah Tower is a non-negotiable part of "Vision 2030," the kingdom's plan to transition away from oil. This political will provides a level of financial security that private developers often lack.

Conclusion and the Future of the Skyline

The race for the world’s tallest planned buildings has moved beyond the realm of science fiction. With the Jeddah Tower officially back in progress and Dubai initiating new megatall projects, the 1,000-meter threshold is likely to be crossed before 2030. These structures serve as more than just offices or apartments; they are vertical cities and symbols of national capability. As engineering continues to evolve, the conversation may soon shift from "how high can we build" to "how sustainable can these giants become."

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Future Tallest Buildings

When will the Jeddah Tower be finished?

Based on the current construction pace following the 2025 resumption, the Jeddah Tower is targeted for completion in August 2028. It surpassed 100 floors in early 2026.

Is the Jeddah Tower taller than the Burj Khalifa?

Yes, the Jeddah Tower is planned to be at least 1,008 meters tall, which is 180 meters taller than the Burj Khalifa (828 meters).

What is the tallest building currently under construction?

The Jeddah Tower is currently the tallest building under construction in the world. The Burj Azizi in Dubai is the second tallest actively under construction at 725 meters.

Why was construction on many tall buildings stopped?

Most projects, including the Jeddah Tower and Burj Azizi, were halted due to a combination of financing issues, the COVID-19 pandemic, and regional geopolitical changes. Most of these projects resumed in late 2024 or early 2025.

Are there any buildings planned to be 2 kilometers tall?

The "Rise Tower" in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has been proposed with a potential height of 2,000 meters. However, as of 2026, it remains in the early planning and feasibility stages and has not yet begun construction.

What is the tallest building in the US that is planned?

The Legends Tower in Oklahoma City is the tallest planned building in the United States, with a proposed height of 581 meters (1,907 feet). If completed, it will surpass One World Trade Center in New York.