Saudi Arabia is aiming higher than ever—literally. A new proposal suggests the kingdom is considering a skyscraper so tall it would dwarf every existing structure on Earth. The ambitious plan outlines a 2-kilometer tower, more than twice the height of Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, which currently holds the title of the world’s tallest building. If realized, this monumental structure would redefine the limits of architecture and engineering.
The tower is expected to be built near Riyadh in a newly planned district reportedly called the “North Pole.” The project is in its early stages, with British firm Foster + Partners attached to the design and a proposed budget of $5 billion. There’s no official timeline yet, but the idea alone has already made headlines across the globe.
The Skyscraper That Could Break Physics
Building a structure this tall isn’t just about making it taller than anything else—it’s about overcoming forces that don’t care how visionary your architecture is. Engineers would have to battle enormous wind pressure, potential seismic threats, and the sheer weight of the materials required for something of this magnitude.
Traditionally, the higher a tower goes, the more it narrows. That’s a useful tactic for managing wind load and structural integrity. But going up two kilometers presents challenges the world’s never faced before. Materials would need to be stronger yet lighter, elevators would have to defy current speed and efficiency standards, and basic issues like air pressure and water pumping become major design puzzles.
A Bold Addition to Saudi Arabia’s Mega-Project Era
Saudi Arabia’s skyline has already been shifting rapidly thanks to projects like NEOM’s The Line, a futuristic linear city, and the Mukaab, a cube-shaped megastructure planned in Riyadh. These projects are part of the country’s broader push to diversify its economy and establish itself as a global hub for design, tourism, and innovation.
The proposed 2-kilometer skyscraper would be the crown jewel of that transformation. It’s a signal that Saudi Arabia doesn’t just want to join the club of record-breaking cities—it wants to rewrite the rules entirely.
