Kingdom Tower

Kingdom Tower
Omarnizar05 · CC0 · source
Name	Kingdom Tower
Location	Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Status	Proposed/On hold
Start date	2013
Architect	Adrian Smith
Height	~1000 m (planned)
Floors	167 (planned)
Developer	Jeddah Economic Company

Kingdom Tower Kingdom Tower is a planned skyscraper in Jeddah intended to become one of the world's tallest man-made structures. Announced as part of the Jeddah Economic Company's Red Sea Coast development, the project has links to major entities such as Saudi Binladin Group, Kingdom Holding Company, and international design firms like Adrian Smith's practice. The proposal attracted global attention from organizations including the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat and construction consortia from South Korea, Turkey, and China.

History

The project's origins trace to a 2009 master plan by the Jeddah Economic Company and a later 2011 announcement supported by Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal. Early milestones involved feasibility studies with consultants from AECOM, Arup Group, and firms collaborating on precedent-setting projects like Burj Khalifa and Shanghai Tower. Public milestones included a 2013 groundbreaking attended by representatives of Saudi Arabia's Vision initiatives and international investors such as representatives from Emaar Properties and contractors like Arabtec. Global media coverage linked the venture to high-profile developments in Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi.

Design and Architecture

Design leadership was provided by architect Adrian Smith, known for work on Burj Khalifa and Trump International Hotel and Tower (Chicago). The aesthetic drew comparisons to regional landmarks such as Masjid al-Haram and the vertical urbanism of Manhattan. Structural engineering input came from firms with portfolios including Shanghai Tower and Petronas Towers, while facade consultants referenced systems used on One World Trade Center and The Shard. Programmatic elements proposed mixed uses similar to developments by Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Ritz-Carlton, and hospitality models from Hilton Worldwide and Accor.

Construction and Development

Initial contracts were announced involving major construction firms including Saudi Binladin Group and international partners from South Korea and China State Construction Engineering Corporation. Financing discussions involved entities like Kingdom Holding Company, sovereign investment vehicles such as the Public Investment Fund (Saudi Arabia), and private equity groups with experience in projects financed by BlackRock and GIC (investment company). Logistic planning referenced infrastructure projects in Jeddah Islamic Port and transit strategies drawing on models from Dubai Metro and Doha Metro. Construction phases were scheduled to follow precedent set by fast-track programs employed on Burj Khalifa.

Technical Specifications

Planned technical specifications included a height target near 1,000 metres, with approximately 167 habitable floors and a total built-up area comparable to Burj Khalifa and Shanghai Tower. Elevator systems were to employ high-speed technologies akin to installations by Otis Worldwide and KONE Corporation, and structural systems referenced work by Thornton Tomasetti and WSP Global. Foundation design paralleled solutions used at coastal projects such as Palm Jumeirah with geotechnical studies similar to those conducted for Bosporus Bridge foundations. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems were planned with consultants experienced on projects for Siemens and Schneider Electric.

Economic and Cultural Impact

Proponents argued the development would stimulate investment like projects by Emaar Properties in Downtown Dubai and influence tourism streams comparable to destinations marketed by Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage. The tower's mixed-use program aimed to attract luxury brands such as Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, retail operators similar to Harrods and Galeries Lafayette, and corporate tenants akin to those in King Abdullah Financial District. Expected impacts included job creation mirroring large-scale construction programs overseen by International Labour Organization studies and urban regeneration effects seen in Canary Wharf and La Défense.

Controversies and Challenges

The project faced scrutiny over financing issues involving Kingdom Holding Company's broader portfolio and risks noted by credit assessments from agencies like Moody's Investors Service and Standard & Poor's. Safety and labor concerns echoed criticisms levelled at major contractors such as Saudi Binladin Group during other projects, and environmental impact discussions referenced assessments similar to those for Jeddah Corniche developments. Geopolitical factors included regional shifts tied to policies of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and diplomatic-economic ties with partners in South Korea and China. Delays and pauses reflected the fate of other ambitious projects during economic cycles, comparable to stalled developments in Doha and Istanbul.

Category:Proposed skyscrapers