Tallest Buildings Currently Under Construction
This evergreen overview profiles the tallest buildings in the world under construction, providing verified status, key milestones, and expected completion timelines. As of the most recent available data, the list is led by projects such as the Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia, which remains the highest under construction with a planned height of approximately 1,000 meters, alongside major towers in India, China, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States. These projects reflect long-term urban and economic ambitions, combining engineering innovation with commercial and civic objectives. The following sections break down projects by region, confirm current construction status, and highlight practical context useful for tracking future completions.
Defining Status and Measurement
For tall buildings, status is typically classified by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) stages: on hold, under construction, topped out, and completed. Height is most commonly measured to architectural top, including spires but excluding temporary or functional elements. When evaluating tallest buildings under construction, it is important to distinguish between structural progress, official inauguration, and operational occupancy. Projects may reach major milestones such as foundation completion, floor plate assembly, or cladding installation well before final completion. Understanding these definitions helps clarify why some structures appear taller in early visuals but remain years from opening.
Regional Project Profiles
Across the globe, a small set of megaprojects dominates height records. Each involves long timelines, complex engineering, and significant investment. Below is a concise, status-focused table that captures key attributes for the tallest buildings under construction as of the latest reliable sources.
| Building | Location | Planned Height (m/ft) | Current Status | Expected Completion (Year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeddah Tower | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | ~1,000 m (~3,280 ft) | Under construction | TBD (formerly target 2025) |
| Riverview Plaza | Wuhan, China | 475 m (1,558 ft) | Topped out | 2025 |
| Wuhan Yangtze River Shipping Center | Wuhan, China | 475 m (1,558 ft) | Under construction | 2025 |
| Suzhou IFS | Suzhou, China | 450 m (1,476 ft) | Under construction | 2026 |
| Lotte World Tower Expansion / Future Projects | Seoul, South Korea | ~500 m (1,640 ft) (candidates) | Planning or early work | 2030s (if approved) |
| One Santiago | Santiago, Chile | 300 m (984 ft) | Under construction | 2026 |
| One Za’abeel Tower 1 | Dubai, UAE | 303 m (994 ft) | Topped out | 2025 |
| One Za’abeel Tower 2 | Dubai, UAE | 303 m (994 ft) | Topped out | 2025 |
| 30 Hudson Yards | New York, USA | 435 m (1,428 ft) | Under construction (new phase/appendices) | TBD for full completion |
| Torch Tower | Tokyo, Japan | 390 m (1,279 ft) | Planning / early announcements | 2030s (if built) |
Project Highlights
Jeddah Tower, Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Tower aims to become the world’s tallest building upon completion, with a target height of about 1,000 meters. Located in Jeddah near the Red Sea and developed by the Jeddah Economic Company, it is designed as a multipurpose vertical city. Construction has progressed through the core and superstructure phases, though the project has experienced shifts in target completion. The tower’s design incorporates regional aesthetics, sustainability strategies, and advanced wind engineering to address local environmental conditions.
Riverview Plaza and Wuhan Yangtze River Shipping Center, Wuhan, China
Both projects in Wuhan target a height of 475 meters and are among the tallest under construction in China. Riverview Plaza has topped out, marking a critical structural milestone, while the Yangtze River Shipping Center remains active with phased construction. These towers contribute to Wuhan’s ambition to develop a dense, vertically integrated urban corridor along the Yangtze River.
Suzhou IFS, Suzhou, China
Suzhou IFS is a mixed-use tower expected to reach 450 meters upon completion. Developed by a consortium with experience in large-scale urban projects, it combines office, retail, and hospitality functions. The project is currently under construction with an anticipated completion in the mid-2020s, reflecting the continued scale of Chinese commercial real estate development.
One Za’abeel, Dubai, UAE
One Za’abeel consists of two towers flanking Za’abeel Park in downtown Dubai. Both towers reached the topping-out milestone in 2024 and are scheduled for completion in 2025. The project focuses on residential, hotel, and retail uses, integrating green design principles and urban connectivity within a rapidly developing district.
Methodology and Verification
Information in this overview is drawn from publicly available sources, including CTBUH updates, developer announcements, and reputable industry trackers. Where timelines are cited, they reflect the latest confirmed targets or prior official estimates. Changes in project status, height, or completion dates can occur due to financing, permitting, or external conditions. Cross-referencing multiple sources helps maintain accuracy over time.
How to Track These Projects
- Monitor CTBUH’s official projects database for status changes and milestone updates.
- Review developer and owner press releases for confirmed completion targets and design updates.
- Follow major engineering and architecture firms involved in these projects for technical insights.
- Use construction photography and satellite imagery to visually track progress on a regular basis.
Conclusion
The tallest buildings in the world under construction represent long-term commitments to urban density, architectural aspiration, and engineering capability. While timelines and specifications may evolve, the current cohort of projects illustrates a continued push toward greater height and complexity across multiple continents. For professionals in real estate, design, and urban planning, these projects offer a clear lens on where the global built environment is heading over the coming decade.