Jeddah Tower: What does the world’s next tallest skyscraper look like now?

These are the images that show what will soon be known as the world’s next tallest building rising from the desert.

When CNN visited the site at the end of 2017, the tower was 252 meters (826 feet) high and already had expansive views of the kingdom.

A tall order?

The tower will be the crown jewel of Jeddah Economic City, a commercial and residential project of 57 million square feet (5.3 million square meters), that will feature homes, hotels and offices, as well as tourist attractions.

But the project hasn’t been smooth sailing.

There have been various delays since construction began in 2013. Since November 2017, two of the project’s most prominent backers – Saudi Arabia’s Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, a prolific investor and businessman, and Bakr Bin Laden, chairman of Jeddah Tower’s construction company Bin Laden Group – have been caught up in the kingdom’s anti-corruption purge, which saw hundreds questioned on accusations of corruption.

Jeddah Economic Company, the developer behind the skyscraper, however, has confirmed to CNN that the project will be completed by 2020, as scheduled.

Al-Waleed’s company declined to provide comment to CNN, while Bin Laden Group couldn’t be reached.

A global landmark

While today the site is surrounded by desert, upon completion the tower will be the center of the Jeddah Economic City development.

CNN

The world's next tallest building, the Jeddah Tower, is scheduled to be completed by 2020 in Saudi Arabia. This 3,280-feet tower will be taller than the Dubai's iconic Burf Khalifa.

CNN

The tower is currently at floor 61 -- standing 245.5 meters tall. It is now the highest structure in Jeddah, and currently taller than the Statue of Liberty by 155 meters, but still 60 meters shorter than the Eiffel Tower.

CNN

Located in Saudi Arabia, the tower is a commercial and residential project by Jeddah Economic City. The tower is expected to open in 2020, however, the opening has been delayed several times since 2013.

CNN

The tower will feature the world's highest observation deck, the five-star Four Seasons hotel, luxury apartments, and offices.

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The observation deck will feature a 5,382-square-feet outdoor platform. Double-decker lifts will takes visitor to the observation deck, traveling at a speed of 30 feet per second.

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Surrounded by the desert, this was the view from the top of Jeddah Tower when CNN visited the construction site last month.

Jeddah Economic Company/Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture

It is expected that construction of the tower will require 5.7 million square feet of concrete and 80,000 tons of steel. This rendition shows how the tower will look when finished.

Jeddah Economic Company/Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture

For buildings of this stature, wind load could also put stress on the structure. To battle this, the design of the structure will change every few floors.

Jeddah Economic Company/Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture

There are plans for a 98-foot sky terrace on the 157th floor. When completed, it will be the highest terrace in the world.

Jeddah Economic Company/Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture

The structure will overlook the Red Sea, posing additional challenges to the building process. It's particularly important that the foundations -- 200 feet deep -- won't be affected by saltwater from the ocean.

Jeddah Economic Company/Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture

Like the Burj Khalifa, the Jeddah Tower will have a flower-shaped footprint.

Jeddah Economic Company/Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture

With a gross floor area of 2.6 million square feet, the construction of the tower is estimated to cost $1.23 billion.

Jeddah Economic Company/Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture

Engineers will also need to design a pump to help deliver concrete to high levels.

“As of 2020, we’ll start seeing things: you’ll see the tower, you’ll see the shopping mall, you’ll see many other projects,” says Mounib Hammoud, CEO of Jeddah Economic Company.

Boasting a gross floor area of 2.6 million square feet (243,866 square meters) over 252 stories, the tower will also feature the world’s highest observation deck at 2,178 feet (664 meters) off the ground, with a 5,382 square feet (500 square meter) outdoor platform.

Other facilities include a five-star Four Seasons Hotel and 97 affiliated serviced apartments, including seven duplexes. Offices will account for seven floors, where there will be four “residential tiers” that will include 325 apartments.

The elevators will reach a record height of 2,165 feet (660 meters), while the double-decker lifts that take visitors directly to the observation deck from Level 1 of the building can travel at 12.5 miles per hour. In other words, they can shuttle guests to the deck, accessed from the 157th and 158th floors, in 66.5 seconds.

“When you first arrive at the tower, you are already 20 meters above sea level,” explains Jomah. “Therefore, it’s like every floor is a different experience (in) that building.”

The developers believe Jeddah Tower will be a game-changer for the area, which has traditionally acted as a gateway to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.

“Before (the tower) was here, this was not considered a place that people would live,” says Hisham Jomah, chief development officer of Jeddah Economic Company. “We are creating an independent city … so that you don’t have to leave here,” he adds. “It’s changing the mindset of Jeddah.”

“Building a tower of this kind, of this grandiosity, is really something I wouldn’t have thought I would do,” says Hammoud.

“Jeddah is going to be repositioned on the international scene of modern cities,” he adds. “You speak about downtown Dubai – and now we’re going to have downtown Jeddah.”

Rising power

Jeddah Tower’s construction fits into Saudi Vision 2030, a government plan that aims to diversify the economy in the kingdom and reduce its dependence on oil.

“Vision 2030 is the development strategy of the project … this is the instruction we have given to the architects and to the urban planners,” explains Hammoud.

Yet the ultimate goal is to raise the city’s status as a global power player.

“The Egyptians, they built the pyramids. In medieval France, they built all these huge cathedrals and churches. And in modern times, they built New York, Chicago. So really, it’s a token of strength and ingenuity,” he says. “Like in every city: after money, after power, you want strength.

“After strength, you want to establish something, leave something for the world. And today, Jeddah is going to have a building which, many generations to come will talk about it.”