From the moment Chicago’s modest Home Insurance Building rose 10 stories in 1885, a global race was quietly ignited—one of steel, ambition, and sky-high aspirations. Over a century later, cities across the world are locked in a new contest, racing to shatter the 1,000-meter mark and redefine the very concept of a skyline.
Today, we’re counting down 10 of the tallest buildings planned or under construction around the world. These are no conceptual daydreams—each one is either underway or slated for development. And they’re not just tall. They’re architectural feats that blend luxury, engineering, and imagination.
1. Burj Binghatti Jacob & Co Residences (Dubai, UAE) – 557m
Dubai, the city of superlatives, is no stranger to luxury. Enter the Burj Binghatti Jacob & Co Residences, a diamond-studded collaboration between real estate developer Binghatti and luxury jeweler Jacob & Co.
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Height: 557 meters (1,828 ft)
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Floors: 104
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Completion Date: 2026–2027
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Distinctions: Tallest residential building in the world
Inspired by fine jewelry, this tower’s crystal-like spires and floor-to-ceiling marble-laden interiors are as much about opulence as they are about elevation. Amenities will include sky gardens, private infinity pools, and gem-set vanity mirrors.
2. Tower M (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) – ~700m
Malaysia stunned the world with the Petronas Twin Towers in 1998 and again with Merdeka 118 in 2024. Next up? Tower M, a future centerpiece of KL’s Eastgate development.
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Height: ~700 meters (2,297 ft)
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Completion Date: TBD
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Distinctions: Would surpass Merdeka 118
With limited details released, what we know is enough: Tower M is designed to elevate Malaysia’s capital into the global skyline elite once more.
3. Lakhta Center 2 (St. Petersburg, Russia) – 703m
St. Petersburg’s Lakhta Center was already Europe’s tallest. Now, Lakhta Center 2 aims even higher, with a mesmerizing helical spiral wrapping around a glass core.
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Height: 703 meters (2,306 ft)
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Completion Date: 2030–2031
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Distinctions: Highest occupied floor in the world
The new tower will feature open-air spiral atriums, massive office spaces, and a public gallery at 590 meters—taller than any current viewing platform.
4. Uptown Dubai Tower 1 (Dubai, UAE) – 711m
In Dubai’s upcoming Uptown District, the tentatively named Burj 2020 will reach new commercial heights.
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Height: 711 meters (2,333 ft)
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Completion Date: ~2030
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Distinctions: Tallest commercial tower in the world
This project will include a 360° observation deck placed higher than the Burj Khalifa’s own deck—proving once again that Dubai always finds a way to top itself.
5. Burj Azizi (Dubai, UAE) – 725m
Also in Dubai, Burj Azizi will be a mixed-use marvel in the World Trade Center district.
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Height: 725 meters (2,379 ft)
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Completion Date: 2028
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Distinctions: Highest hotel, highest observation deck, highest restaurant, highest supermarket—the list goes on
Spanning 131 floors, it’s one of the boldest skyscrapers planned, and aims to become Dubai’s new crown jewel.
6. Jeddah Tower (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia) – 1,000m
The long-awaited Jeddah Tower, originally known as Kingdom Tower, aims to become the first building to reach one kilometer in height.
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Height: 1,000 meters (3,281 ft)
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Completion Date: 2028
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Distinctions: First kilometer-tall skyscraper
Though construction stalled in 2018, it resumed in 2024. Once completed, it will house offices, residences, the Four Seasons Hotel, and a viewing platform more than 2,000 ft above the ground.
7. Oblisco Capitale (New Administrative Capital, Egypt) – 1,000m+
Egypt is reaching back to its ancient grandeur with a modern take on the obelisk—the Oblisco Capitale.
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Height: 1,000+ meters
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Completion Date: ~2030
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Distinctions: First African kilometer-tall structure
Inspired by pharaonic architecture, this mega-skyscraper will rise from a lotus-shaped base, surrounded by a Nile-resembling moat. Inside: residences, offices, malls, medical centers, and more.
8. Burj Mubarak al-Kabir (Silk City, Kuwait) – 1,001m
Straight from the tales of One Thousand and One Arabian Nights, this iconic tower is Kuwait’s entry in the race to the sky.
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Height: 1,001 meters (3,284 ft)
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Completion Date: 2050
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Distinctions: Tallest tribute to regional folklore
Made of three interlocking towers inspired by mosque minarets, this structure will span 234 floors and anchor a mega-project expected to house 700,000 residents.
9. Sky Mile Tower (Tokyo Bay, Japan) – 1,700m (conceptual)
Tokyo’s earthquake-prone setting hasn’t stopped architects from dreaming big. Enter Sky Mile Tower, the centerpiece of Next Tokyo 2045—a floating city built to withstand nature.
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Height: 1,700 meters (5,577 ft)
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Completion Date: TBD (experimental stage)
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Distinctions: Tallest proposed structure with serious research backing
Its futuristic, open-slotted design would resist wind forces and support half a million people in a high-tech eco-archipelago.
10. Rise Tower (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) – 2,000m
Yes, you read that right. Saudi Arabia has plans for a 2-kilometer-tall skyscraper—twice the height of the Burj Khalifa.
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Height: 2,000 meters (6,562 ft)
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Completion Date: TBD
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Distinctions: Tallest human-made structure ever conceived
Though still in its early stages, the Rise Tower, designed by Foster + Partners, could revolutionize everything from energy efficiency (solar-powered) to population density.
FAQ: Tallest Future Skyscrapers
Q: What’s the current tallest building in the world?
The Burj Khalifa in Dubai, at 828 meters (2,717 ft).
Q: Will Jeddah Tower beat Burj Khalifa?
Yes—by nearly 200 meters, if completed as planned in 2028.
Q: Are any of these buildings purely conceptual?
Most are funded or under construction. Only Sky Mile Tower (Tokyo) and Rise Tower (Riyadh) remain primarily conceptual, though both have prominent backers.
Q: What’s the first building expected to hit 1,000 meters?
Jeddah Tower is currently on track to be the first kilometer-high structure, with Oblisco Capitale close behind.
Q: How long will the world’s tallest title last?
As long as it takes another megaproject to finish! With Rise Tower looming, even the kilometer mark might become obsolete.
Conclusion: A Vertical Future Awaits
As nations compete for prestige and engineering dominance, skyscrapers have evolved far beyond their original purpose. They’re cultural symbols, tourism magnets, and sometimes ideological statements.
What was once a 10-story marvel in 1885 is now a 2-kilometer colossus that could pierce the clouds. Whether for luxury, commerce, or spectacle, the next generation of towers won’t just touch the sky—they’ll redefine what we think is possible.
