Saudi’s insane plan for world’s tallest skyscraper ‘The Rise Tower’ – a $5b project twice the height of Burj Khalifa
SAUDI Arabia is planning an insanely tall skyscraper – and it is set to double the height of the world’s current tallest building.
Rise Tower, which will stand a whopping 2,000 metres (1.2 miles) tall and cost an eye-watering $5billion, is the crown jewel of Saudi Arabia‘s futuristic North Pole megaproject.
The breathtaking feat will double the height of Dubai‘s Burj Khalifa, which is 828 metres (0.5 miles) tall, and surpass the upcoming 1,000 metre (0.6 miles) high Jeddah Tower.
The 678-storey tower is part of the ambitious North Pole development in Riyadh and is designed by Foster + Partners.
The Public Investment Fund has now formally called on international contracting firms to submit bids for project management.
The ridiculously big building is yet another ambition of eco-mad Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.
The bidding comes as Saudi Arabia is looking to complete another bold step in its Vision 2030 program.
The groundbreaking tower will host luxury hotels, entertainment venues, fine dining and much more.
It also aims to become a global tourism and business destination while setting new benchmarks in sustainable urban planning.
The North Pole project is poised to become Riyadh’s next major economic hub and will span a massive 300 square kilometres.
It has been dubbed as the “city of the future“.
It has been envisioned as a fully integrated city, blending residential, commercial and industrial zones.
The design for the tower was announced in August 2023.
Saudi Arabia Holding Co. CEO Mohammed AlQahtani shared plans for the megacity.
He said: “The North Pole project seamlessly blends modernity with the beauty of nature, delivering a unique living experience.
“The project is poised to usher in a remarkable transformation, redefining the region’s economic and social landscape.
“Anticipated to generate new job opportunities, attract foreign investments, and elevate living standards, this visionary project aims to elevate Riyadh’s global standing as a modern metropolis.”
North Pole will also feature advanced transportation infrastructure, including a high-speed metro system and self-driving vehicles.
The urban design will emphasise vertical living, creating a dynamic city with world-class facilities.
Sustainability will be key to the development, with the city powered by renewable energy sources and integrated with green spaces.
The project aims to be another environmental milestone for eco-mad Saudi Arabia who have launched a line of megalomaniac developments in recent years.
Megacity The Line for example will be a car-free, three-dimensional metropolis, according to a top boss on the build.
While Aquellum promises to be a futuristic community hidden in an upside down skyscraper in a mountain.
Saudi Arabia has been forced to scale back on multiple projects and has faced major delays across most of their developments.
The country’s projects have also been plagued with ethical controversies relating to their work practices.
Possible bidders for the project include US contractors and engineers Aecom, Bechtel, Jacobs, Parsons and Turner Construction, as well as British company Mace.
A launch date for North Pole has not been announced yet.
Saudi Arabia megaprojects
By Harvey Geh
The Line is Saudi Arabia’s £1trillion megacity project, taking the form of a 106-mile long sideways skyscraper stretching across a desert.
The $140billion Hidden Marina will be the first part of The Line, and is a 500-meter-tall mirrored tower which stretches 2,500 metres (1.5 miles) in length.
Jeddah Tower, the world’s first tower over a kilometre high has been plagued by delays and had over $1.2billion splurged on its construction.
Siranna, inside NEOM, is a stunning hotel that will be built on a human-made mountain with extraordinary architecture.
King Salman Stadium will boast a capacity of over 92,000 and have a futuristic splitting seed design.
Falcon’s Flight an upcoming rollercoaster which will open Six Flags Qiddiya, and promises to reach a 156mph – making it the world’s fastest.
NEOM, which will host The Line, is a planned megacity at the northern tip of the Red Sea, and costs are believed to be upwards of $8.8trillion.