Burj Khalifa will no longer be world's tallest building — but which is its replacement?

At 828 metres, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai took the title of the highest skyscraper in the world fourteen years ago, however, the same status may no longer be possessed by the famous urban building anymore.

Construction on the Burj commenced in 2004, and it formally inaugurated in 2010. 

The structure was supposed to be the focal point of a sizable, multifaceted complex in the heart of Dubai. This was a component of a plan to move away from an oil-based economy and towards one that was centred on business, travel, and luxury. 

The Burj Khalifa may no longer be the highest skyscraper, though, as there are rumours of a new structure that could top it.

When the Saudi Arabian building project is finished, it is anticipated to surpass the Burj Khalifa in height, according to Guinness World Records (GWR). 

It is said that Jeddah Tower, also known as Kingdom Tower, will rise to a height of more than 1,000 metres (1 km; 3,281 feet). 

The Jeddah Economic Company building will include a combination of high-end condominiums, serviced flats, office space and residential real estate.

It is also said to house the "world's highest observatory," while the University of Tokyo Atacama Observatory, which is situated at 5,640 metres (18,503 feet) above sea level, is the only record of this kind that we are currently aware of.

As per GWR, Burj Khalifa may lose out to Jeddah Tower, which is expected to cost $1.23 billion. 

After a five-year break, work on this centrepiece of north Jeddah, a $20 billion mega-project, began again in 2023. Though its exact completion is yet unknown, its planned scale and facilities represent a threat to Burj Khalifa's record-breaking status.