meed-logo

line1 line2 line3
SIGN IN / REGISTER

Jeddah Tower cements region’s status as global high rise capital

2 October 2024

 

> This package also includes: Contractor appointed to complete world's tallest tower

The appointment of Saudi Binladin Group (SBG) on 2 October to complete the 1,000-metre-plus-tall Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia will cement the region's status as the global high-rise capital. Dubai's Burj Khalifa has been the world's tallest tower since 2009, and the completion of Jeddah Tower will mean the region's run as home to the world's tallest building will continue for many more years. Here is a list of the region's tallest buildings:

1. Burj Khalifa, UAE

The construction of the world’s tallest skyscraper, Burj Khalifa, began in 2006 and reached its pinnacle in 2009.

The 829.8-metre-tall tower was developed by Dubai’s Emaar Properties and designed by US-based Skidmore Owings & Merrill.

Construction was led by a consortium of South Korea’s Samsung C&T, the local/Belgian Bel Hasa Six Construct and the local Arabtec Construction. The $875m main construction contract was awarded in December 2004.

The 163-storey tower took 22 million man-hours to build. Overall, the project cost about $1.5bn to complete. 

2. Mecca Royal Clock Tower, Saudi Arabia

The 601-metre-tall Mecca Royal Clock Tower is the landmark feature of the Abraj al-Bayt complex.

The development comprises seven towers overlooking the holy site of Kaaba, with a total built-up area of more than 1.4 million square metres and 15,000 apartments.

Saudi Binladin Group was the main contractor for the project.

The $800m contract for the clock tower was awarded in 2003 and the complex completed in 2012.

3. Marina 101, UAE

Marina 101 is the second-tallest building in Dubai.

Construction began in 2007 when Turkish contractor TAV was awarded the estimated AED800m ($218m) main contract.

The project involved building a 101-floor tower with a height of 425 metres and a total built-up area of 144,000 sq m.

The project has witnessed several setbacks over the years and remains unoccupied. The construction works were partially completed in 2017.

4. Princess Tower, UAE

Princess Tower is the second-tallest residential building in the world.

The 107-storey tower stands 413 metres tall and is located in Dubai Marina.

The project was announced in 2005 and the foundation works were completed in 2007.

The main contractor for the project was the Lebanese Arabian Construction Company.

The Princess Tower was the world’s tallest residential building from 2012 to 2015, when it was overtaken by 432 Park Avenue in New York City.

5. Al-Hamra Tower, Kuwait

The 80-floor Al-Hamra Tower is the tallest building in Kuwait and the 36th tallest in the world, at 412 metres. It was built by the local Ahmadiah Contracting & Trading Company. Construction works started in 2005 and were completed in 2011. The project was designed by US-based architectural firms Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Callison and the local Al-Jazirah Engineers & Consultants. 

6. 23 Marina, UAE

The 392-metre-tall 23 Marina is the fourth-tallest building in the UAE and the 40th tallest in the world. Dubai Civil Engineering constructed the 88-floor tower. The construction works started in 2005 and the project was completed in 2012. US-based KEO International and Indian Architect Hafeez Contractor designed the tower. 

Jeddah Tower restart is watershed moment

7. PIF Tower, Saudi Arabia

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) Tower is located within Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District. US-based HOK Architects, Canadian WSP, Hyder Consulting and the local Omrania Associates designed the 385-metre-tall, 80-storey tower. The construction works began in 2009 and were finally completed in 2022. Saudi Binladin Group was the main project contractor.

8. Iconic Tower, Egypt

The 385-metre-tall Iconic Tower is the centrepiece among the 20 buildings of the Central Business District in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital. The construction of this 80-storey tower started in 2019 when China State Construction Engineering Corporation was appointed as the main contractor. The construction works on Africa’s tallest skyscraper were completed in 2022. Lebanese engineering company Dar al-Handasah was the project consultant. 

9. Burj Mohammed bin Rashid, UAE

Completed in 2014, Abu Dhabi’s tallest building measures 381 metres and consists of 88 floors. The tower, part of the Abu Dhabi World Trade Centre, was announced in 2004. The construction works started in 2007 under the government’s redevelopment plan. The consultants involved in the development included Arup, Mott MacDonald, Foster & Partners, AtkinsRealis and Callison. Lebanese contractor Arabian Construction Company undertook the construction works.

10. Elite Residence, UAE

Dubai Marina’s Elite Residence, a 91-storey residential building, is the sixth-tallest building in the UAE. The 380-metre-tall tower was announced in 2006 and designed by Lebanese Khatib & Alami. The construction works began in 2007 when Arabian Construction Company was awarded the main construction contract. The tower has been operational since 2012.

SOON TO JOIN

GCC countries’ quest to build tall towers is not over yet. Several upcoming developments are likely to overthrow some of the tall towers on our list. These schemes include:

  • The North Pole, 2kms (Saudi Arabia)
  • Burj Azizi, 725 metres (UAE)
  • Pentominium Tower, 516 metres (UAE)
  • Burj Binghatti, 500+ metres (UAE)

Tallest towers in the world

Jeddah Tower image (top): Jeddah Economic Company

https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/12641934/main.gif
Yasir Iqbal

Register for MEED's guest program now to access this article.

Click here to register
Exclusive from Meed
Related Articles
  • Local firm executing Yasref tail gas treatment project

    14 April 2026

     

    Yanbu Aramco Sinopec Refining Company (Yasref) is overseeing progress on a key project to build a tail gas treatment unit (TGTU) at its crude refinery complex, located in Yanbu on the west coast of Saudi Arabia.

    Yasref is a joint venture in which Saudi Aramco owns the majority 62.5% stake and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) owns the other 37.5%. The Yasref refinery was commissioned in 2015 and has a crude oil refining capacity of 400,000 barrels a day (b/d).

    The aim of the project, which Yasref calls the tail gas synergy project, is to significantly reduce emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) from its production complex. The 'synergy' comes from integrating primary treatment (such as the Claus process, which typically recovers about 95-97% of sulphur) with advanced secondary treatment in a TGTU, to achieve overall sulphur recovery of nearly 99.9%.

    Yasref awarded the main contract for the tail gas synergy project to Jeddah-based contractor Carlo Gavazzi Arabia earlier this year, according to information obtained by MEED Projects, with the contract estimated at $80m.

    The local branch of London-headquartered Berkeley Engineering Consultants is acting as the project’s main consultant, according to MEED Projects.

    The scope of work on Yasref’s tail gas synergy project includes the following:

    • Construction of downstream TGTU with catalytic hydrogenation reactor and amine absorber train
    • Modification of existing sulphur recovery units
    • Construction of acid gas removal units employing amine solvent systems
    • Construction of desulphurisation units including carbonyl sulphide hydrolysis
    • Construction of associated utilities and auxiliary infrastructure: thermal exchangers, power and steam supplies, flare knockout drums
    • Installation of safety and security systems hydrogen sulphide detection, overpressure relief, firewater deluge, access control, safety instrumented systems
    • Integration of emission monitoring and process control instrumentation.

    In April last year, Aramco, Sinopec and Yasref signed a venture framework agreement for a potential petrochemicals expansion of the Yasref refinery complex into a major integrated petrochemicals facility. The project would include a large-scale mixed-feed steam cracker with a capacity of 1.8 million tonnes a year (t/y) and a 1.5 million-t/y aromatics complex, along with associated downstream derivatives.

    MEED understands that the Yasref petrochemicals expansion project, which is also referred to as Yasref+, is part of Aramco’s $100bn liquids-to-chemicals programme.

    The central ambition of the strategic programme is to derive greater economic value from every barrel of crude produced in Saudi Arabia by converting 4 million b/d of Aramco’s oil production into high-value petrochemicals and chemicals feedstocks by 2030.

    ALSO READ: Saudi downstream projects market enters lean period
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16383830/main3043.jpg
    Indrajit Sen
  • Kuwait sets April deadline for $718m drainage tender

    14 April 2026

    Kuwait’s Ministry of Public Works has set a 21 April deadline for a major tender estimated to be worth about KD222m ($718m).

    The tender scope covers the construction of rainwater drainage networks across the residential areas of Sabah Al-Ahmad, South Sabah Al-Ahmad, Al-Khairan and Al-Wafra.

    The Ministry of Public Works floated the tender on 22 March.

    According to regional projects tracker MEED Projects, the works include the construction of a major concrete sewer, three collection basins and extensive stormwater drainage basins.

    Rainwater collection tanks will be connected through an independent network, with outlets to the sea via the Nuwaiseeb exit to manage overflow.

    The infrastructure will also filter pollutants such as oils, minerals and sediments to protect water quality and support environmental sustainability.

    The project aims to reduce surface runoff, prevent street and urban flooding, and improve groundwater recharge.

    UK analytics firm GlobalData expects Kuwait’s construction industry to grow by 5.1% in 2026-29, supported by government investment in the oil and gas sector aimed at raising production, as well as investment in the infrastructure sector.

    In the short term, growth will be boosted by planned expenditure under the 2025-26 budget, which was approved in March 2025.

    The construction industry in Kuwait is expected to record an annual average growth rate of 4.9% in 2026-29, supported by investments in renewable energy, transport, and oil and gas projects.

    READ THE APRIL 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    Economic shock threatens long-term outlook; Riyadh adjusts to fiscal and geopolitical risk; GCC contractor ranking reflects gigaprojects slowdown.

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the April 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:

    > GCC CONTRACTOR RANKING: Construction guard undergoes a shift
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16383203/main.jpg
    Yasir Iqbal
  • Local firm makes hydrocarbon discovery in Oman’s Block 7

    14 April 2026

    Omani oil and gas exploration and production company Masar Petroleum has announced a discovery in the Hasirah Ridge in the sultanate’s Block 7.

    Masar Petroleum was the inaugural operator to appraise and produce hydrocarbons from the Hasirah reservoir in Block 7 in 2017.

    Building on that experience, Masar Petroleum has now successfully drilled a new exploration well south of its existing discoveries, validating the concept of the Hasirah Ridge — a geological trend 5 kilometres wide and 30km long mapped across Block 7 using 2D seismic data.

    This discovery represents the first step towards unlocking the Ridge’s prospective resource base of 100 million to 380 million barrels, Masar Petroleum said in a statement.

    Following this discovery, a planned 3D seismic survey and exploration and appraisal programme is expected to advance the development of the new resources by the end of 2028.

    First production from this field is expected to come on stream during the last quarter of this year.

    Masar Petroleum plans to rapidly advance appraisal and development opportunities across Block 7.

    “Masar is a proud Omani E&P company that has delivered significant value through a continuous and focused effort on unlocking our potential,” Abdulsattar AlMurshidi, CEO of Masar Petroleum, said.

    ALSO READ: Oman offers five hydrocarbon exploration blocks in new bidding round
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16383075/main2121.jpg
    Indrajit Sen
  • Bidders get more time for Saudi water transmission projects

    14 April 2026

     

    Saudi Arabia’s Water Transmission Company (WTCO) has extended the bid submission deadlines for engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts for two major independent water transmission system projects.

    The Jubail-Buraidah and Ras Mohaisen-Baha-Mecca transmission projects were first tendered last September under the public-private partnership model.

    The deadlines for qualified contractors to submit technical and financial bids had initially been extended to March. 

    The new bid submission deadline for the Jubail-Buraidah project is 30 April.

    Scheduled to begin construction in 2027, the scheme comprises an approximately 348-kilometre-long greenfield water transmission system with a capacity of 840,650 cubic metres a day (cm/d), delivering water from the Ashmasiah reservoirs to cities and towns in Al-Qassim province.

    The project is large by WTCO standards. The company’s second phase of the Khobar-Hofuf system, completed in 2024, was 140km in length, with a capacity exceeding 530,000 cm/d. 

    Ras Mohaisen-Baha-Mecca

    For the Ras Mohaisen-Baha-Mecca water transmission system project, the new bid submission deadline is 7 May.

    The project involves constructing an approximately 325km-long greenfield independent water transmission system with a capacity of 542,000 cm/d, delivering water from Ras Mohaisen to the Adham and Aradhiyah regions.

    Prequalification for both projects closed on 15 January.

    It is understood that local firms Alkhorayef Water & Power Technologies and Mutlaq Al-Ghowairi Contracting Company (MGC) are among those qualified to bid for the Ras Mohaisen contract.

    MGC secured the EPC contract for an even larger independent water transmission pipeline project in June last year.

    The project, also linking Jubail and Buraidah, spans 587km and carries 650,000 cm/d.

    According to regional project tracker MEED Projects, construction works recently commenced on the project, which is estimated to cost about SR8.5bn ($2.2bn).

    WTCO is also planning to tender a contract for phase two of the Ras Mohaisen water transmission system project. This includes laying water transmission pipelines 408km in length with a capacity of 400,000 cm/d. This project is estimated to cost around $600m.

    It is understood that the main contract tender will be issued in 2027.

    READ THE APRIL 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    Economic shock threatens long-term outlook; Riyadh adjusts to fiscal and geopolitical risk; GCC contractor ranking reflects gigaprojects slowdown.

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the April 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:

    > GCC CONTRACTOR RANKING: Construction guard undergoes a shift
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16383056/main.jpg
    Mark Dowdall
  • Saudi firm wins $64.2m steel pipe orders from Aramco

    14 April 2026

    Saudi Arabia-based Arabian Pipes Company has announced it has won orders from Saudi Aramco to supply steel pipes, totalling SR241m ($64.2m).

    Under the terms of the contracts, Arabian Pipes Company will supply steel pipes over contract durations of nine months and 11 months, commencing from the date of signing.

    “These contract awards reinforce Arabian Pipes Company’s strong position as a key supplier to the kingdom’s energy sector and highlight its continued commitment to supporting major oil and gas infrastructure projects in Saudi Arabia,” the company said in a filing with the Saudi Exchange (Tadawul), where its shares trade.

    The company added that the orders will contribute positively to its financial performance over the contract period.

    Arabian Pipes Company last secured a contract from Aramco in August 2024, when it won an eleven-month steel pipe supply order worth approximately $28.53m.

    Prior to that, in July 2024, the company won a contract worth SR293m ($78.1m) to supply steel pipes for the second expansion phase of Aramco’s Jafurah unconventional gas development. That contract had a duration of 10 months.

    The order was placed as a subcontract by Denys Arabia, the main contractor performing engineering, procurement and construction works on one of the Jafurah second expansion phase project packages.

    MEED’s April 2026 report on Saudi Arabia includes:

    > COMMENT: Risk accelerates Saudi spending shift
    > GVT &: ECONOMY: Riyadh navigates a changed landscape
    > BANKING: Testing times for Saudi banks
    > UPSTREAM: Offshore oil and gas projects to dominate Aramco capex in 2026
    > DOWNSTREAM: Saudi downstream projects market enters lean period
    > POWER: Wind power gathers pace in Saudi Arabia
    > WATER: Sharakat plan signals next phase of Saudi water expansion
    > CONSTRUCTION: Saudi construction enters a period of strategic readjustment
    > TRANSPORT: Rail expansion powers Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure push

    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16382513/main2830.jpg
    Indrajit Sen