For over a decade, Dubai’s Burj Khalifa has reigned as the tallest building on the planet, soaring 828 metres into the sky. Now, Riyadh is preparing a challenger on a scale never attempted before. The city’s vast North Pole development plans for the Rise Tower to stand close to two kilometers high, which is more than twice the height of the Burj Khalifa.
Planned as the centrepiece of a 306-square-kilometre urban project, the tower aims to combine commercial, residential, and hospitality spaces with advanced mobility systems. Set to become one of the first landmarks visitors see when they arrive in the Saudi capital, the building is located near King Khalid International Airport.
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A new era of supertall construction
The Rise Tower is not only remarkable for its projected height. The development is designed to accommodate luxury hotels, premium offices, residential spaces, and public attractions, including an observation deck positioned higher than any other in the world.
Visitors could find themselves sleeping above the clouds, dining in the world’s loftiest restaurants, or taking in views that stretch far beyond the city limits. Vertical transport within the tower will involve some of the fastest and longest elevator journeys ever constructed.
Futuristic infrastructure in the North Pole project
The North Pole district surrounding Rise Tower is envisioned as a smart, interconnected community. Plans include air taxi services, self-driving vehicles, and an underground high-speed metro system to reduce congestion and emissions. Wide pedestrian-friendly streets and cycling lanes are expected to make mobility within the area as efficient as it is modern.
For Saudi Arabia, this is part of a broader push to position Riyadh as a global hub, supporting its Vision 2030 diversification strategy.
Regional impact and competition
The Gulf region has long been associated with world-leading architectural feats, and Dubai’s position as home to the tallest tower has been a source of prestige and economic benefit. If completed as planned, Rise Tower could draw significant tourism and investment to Riyadh, introducing fresh competition for the UAE in the luxury hospitality and urban development sectors.
However, such rivalry may also spur innovation. Dubai’s reputation for visionary architecture and high-end experiences could inspire new developments to maintain its position as a global trendsetter in design and tourism.
Timeline and expectations
Key parts of the North Pole project are targeted for completion by 2030, aligning with major global events in the region. Rise Tower is expected to open in phases following the initial infrastructure rollout, with the final height and completion date likely to depend on engineering milestones over the next decade.
While the precise construction schedule has not been disclosed, the project’s scale, complexity, and cost — reportedly several billion dollars — mean it will be closely watched by both the construction industry and the public worldwide.
A symbolic race to the sky
Beyond its technical ambition, the Rise Tower demonstrates the Gulf’s belief that it can imagine and build anything. Whether it ultimately surpasses Burj Khalifa or not, the project reflects the region’s continuing appetite for record-breaking architecture and city-making on an unprecedented scale.
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