The short answer

Not yet. Burj Khalifa keeps the crown until another building is completed and officially measured above it. However, the world is watching Jeddah Tower because it is designed to reach 1,000+ metres (over one kilometre), which would comfortably surpass Burj Khalifa’s 828m height.

Why this is trending right now

Searches are spiking because recent reporting says Saudi Arabia is pushing ahead with the long-delayed Jeddah Tower project as part of a wider drive to accelerate megaprojects and showcase new landmarks. One widely shared update is this report from Newsweek.

What is Jeddah Tower — and how tall is it meant to be?

Jeddah Tower is the centrepiece of a major development in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The key detail is its target height: it’s planned to be the first kilometre-high building (at least 1,000m), putting it well ahead of Burj Khalifa if completed as designed.

Burj Khalifa’s record is not a rumour: Guinness World Records recognises it as the tallest building in the world at 828m. You can see the official record listing on Guinness World Records.

What must happen for Burj Khalifa to lose the title?

For Burj Khalifa to lose the “world’s tallest building” title, three things need to line up:

• Completion: The challenger must be finished (not just “under construction” or topped out).
• Verified height: The final height must be officially measured and recognised by record keepers and industry standards.
• No last-minute design cuts: Megaprojects sometimes reduce height, floors, or scope during construction—so the end result matters more than the original promise.

That’s why headlines saying “Burj Khalifa will be beaten” are best read as “could be beaten” until a completion milestone is reached.

When could the record realistically fall?

The most realistic window depends on construction pace, financing, and whether the project continues without major pauses. If Jeddah Tower stays on track and reaches its kilometre-high target, Burj Khalifa’s reign could end later this decade. But skyscraper timelines can slip—sometimes by years—because of engineering complexity, supply chains, and shifting priorities.

In other words: the title is safe for now, but it is no longer an “if” story for many observers—it’s increasingly a “when” story.

Why the Burj Khalifa story still matters

Even if a new building becomes taller, Burj Khalifa will likely remain one of the most iconic skyscrapers ever built. Its appeal isn’t only height—it’s also the engineering, the observation decks, the skyline identity, and the way it changed what cities believed was possible.

Records can change. Cultural impact is harder to replace.

Quick FAQ

Is Burj Khalifa still the tallest building in the world?

Yes. It remains the tallest completed building at 828m.

What building could beat it?

Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia is designed to exceed 1,000m if completed as planned.

Why is this trending today?

Because fresh coverage is highlighting renewed momentum on Jeddah Tower and the possibility of a new world record.