Shard firm lands deal to build world’s tallest skyscraper

Mace, the construction firm behind London's iconic skyscraper 'The Shard', has won a contract to manage the construction of a new £780m tower in Saudi Arabia, which will become the world’s tallest building upon completion.

The London-based company will undertake the project as part of a joint venture with fellow British built asset consultancy EC Harris, to create what will become known as the Kingdom Tower in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

When complete, the tower will stand at more than 3,280 ft (1km high); the equivalent of more than three times the height of The Shard.

Kingdom Tower will set a new record as the highest office space in the world, standing 170m taller than the current tallest man-made building; the Burj Khalifa in Dubai which peaks at 2,717ft.

Construction of the Saudi Arabian tower will overlook the Red Sea, with the £780m build projected to be completed over a five year period. Tenants will be able to look miles out over the Red Sea to the east and the Arabian Desert to the west once the project has been completed.

It is set to feature a luxurious five-star Four Seasons hotel, a series of private apartments, Grade-A office space for corporate clients and a public observatory at the highest man-made spot on the planet.

[caption id="attachment_12798" align="aligncenter" width="504"] Kingdom Tower observation deck. Photo courtesy of Mace[/caption]

Commenting on the monumental development, Mark Reynolds, chief executive of Mace, said: "Kingdom Tower is a project of international importance and immense ambition and we are delighted to be part of the joint venture team tasked with its delivery."

"As the client’s project manager, I am confident we will deliver a development exemplary in innovation and approach.”

Keith Brooks, head of property and social infrastructure at EC Harris, said: "The Kingdom Tower is a landmark building that will clearly demonstrate Saudi Arabia's ambitions to the world."

A spokesperson for the Jeddah Economic Company, who appointed the British firms to the project, said the concept behind the tower was the vision of Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal.

Photo courtesy of Mace.