Ever looked at the Burj Khalifa and thought, "Yeah, it’s big, but we can go higher"? Well, engineers did. For a long time, it felt like the world of megatall skyscrapers had hit a ceiling. Money dried up, global pandemics happened, and some of the most ambitious projects on the planet basically became very expensive holes in the ground.
But something shifted recently. Right now, across the Middle East, Asia, and North America, the race for the sky has restarted with a vengeance. We aren't just talking about office blocks. We’re talking about "kilometers."
Honestly, the sheer scale of the tallest buildings under construction right now is hard to wrap your head around unless you see the cranes in person.
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The Return of the King: Jeddah Tower
You've probably heard of this one. It’s the legendary "Kingdom Tower" in Saudi Arabia that was supposed to be the first building to hit the 1,000-meter mark. Then, it stopped. For seven years, it sat as a 60-story concrete stump in the desert.
Everything changed in January 2025.
The Saudi Binladin Group got back on site with a massive $2 billion contract. As of early 2026, the tower has officially surged past the 80-floor mark. They are adding a new floor every four days. That is a blistering pace. The goal? A final height of at least 1,008 meters.
Why does this matter? Because if they finish it by the 2028 target, the Burj Khalifa loses its crown after nearly two decades. The engineering here is wild. They’re using "pumpcrete" technology—basically high-pressure systems that shoot liquid concrete nearly a kilometer straight up. If the pressure isn't perfect, the pipe bursts. If the mix is off, it won't set.
Dubai’s Response: Burj Azizi and the Creek Tower Redesign
Dubai isn't exactly the type of place to let a record slide without a fight. While Saudi Arabia builds the tallest, Dubai is currently working on the "second tallest" and a mysterious "visual icon."
Burj Azizi is the one to watch on Sheikh Zayed Road. It’s a 725-meter beast. To give you some perspective, that’s about 100 meters shorter than the Burj Khalifa but significantly taller than anything in the Western Hemisphere. Construction hit a new gear in 2025, and they’re aiming for a 2029 handover. It’s going to house a "seven-star" hotel and a vertical mall.
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Then there’s the Dubai Creek Tower.
This project has been a bit of a rollercoaster. Originally meant to beat the Burj Khalifa, the developer, Emaar, hit the brakes and went back to the drawing board. In January 2026, Mohamed Alabbar confirmed they’re finally launching the construction tender for a redesigned version.
The vibe has shifted from "just being tall" to "looking incredible." They’re focusing on aesthetics and a "sculptural form" rather than just raw height, though it’ll likely still be a record-breaker.
North America’s Quiet Supertall Boom
While the Middle East chases the 1km dream, North America is quietly filling its skylines with "supertalls"—buildings over 300 meters.
- The Waterline (Austin, Texas): Austin is getting its first supertall. At 312 meters, it’ll be the tallest in Texas when it finishes later this year.
- Pinnacle One Yonge (Toronto): Canada is about to crown a new king. This 351-meter tower is sloping its way into the Toronto skyline as we speak.
- 270 Park Avenue (New York): JPMorgan Chase is building a massive, muscular steel headquarters that’s basically a throwback to the "brawny" towers of the past.
It’s interesting. We’re seeing a move away from just "glass boxes." New York is leaning into terracotta and arches again, while places like Austin are just trying to prove they belong in the big leagues.
The Hybrid Timber Revolution: Atlassian Central
Tall doesn't always have to mean "concrete and steel." In Sydney, Australia, they’re finishing up the Atlassian Central.
It’s only 180 meters, which sounds small compared to Jeddah, but it’s the world's tallest hybrid timber building. Using wood for a skyscraper? Sounds like a fire hazard, but it’s actually incredibly sustainable and surprisingly sturdy. It’s a proof-of-concept that might change how we build the tallest buildings under construction in the 2030s.
Why Do We Keep Building Them?
The economics of a 100-story building are, frankly, kind of terrible. The higher you go, the more space you lose to elevator shafts and structural bracing. It’s the "Law of Diminishing Returns" in skyscraper form.
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So why do it?
Ego? Sorta. Branding? Definitely. But mostly, it’s about land value and "icon status." A city with the world’s tallest building gets more tourists, more investment, and a spot on the global map. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is basically a giant bet that buildings like the Jeddah Tower will turn the country into a tourism powerhouse.
What’s Actually Coming in 2026?
If you're tracking completions for this year, keep an eye on these specific projects:
- Tour F (Ivory Coast): Africa’s new tallest at 421 meters.
- Central Bank of Iraq: A stunning Zaha Hadid design that’s finally wrapping up in Baghdad.
- SkyTower (Toronto): Redefining the Canadian skyline.
- 262 Fifth Avenue (NYC): A super-slim residential tower in Manhattan.
The skyscraper game isn't just about height anymore; it's about survival. These buildings have survived market crashes, a pandemic, and massive supply chain issues. The fact that they are reaching completion now is a testament to some pretty insane persistence.
Actionable Insights for Skyline Watchers
- Check the CTBUH Database: If you want the real-time height stats, the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat is the only source the pros use.
- Watch the Weather: Wind is the biggest enemy of these projects. If you're near a construction site, you'll notice cranes "weathervane" (spin freely) during storms to keep from tipping.
- Investment Tip: Property values in "Shadow Districts" (the areas around a new supertall) typically see a 10-15% bump once the building tops out, not just when it opens.
The era of the "Megatall" isn't over. It just took a nap. With Jeddah Tower moving again, we’re officially back in the race for the clouds.