AFP: Saudi Arabia has just joined the fray with a plan to build a one-mile (1,600 metre) tower in the Red Sea city of Jeddah, according to the London-based Middle East Economic Digest (MEED). The project, which would overtake super-tall skyscrapers in neighbouring Kuwait and Dubai, the city state associated with mega ventures, places the competition to build the world's tallest tower firmly in the Gulf region.
Of all the other high-profile buildings under construction around the globe, such as New York's Freedom Tower, none will exceed 700 metres in height. Riyadh-based Kingdom Holding, which is controlled by Saudi billionaire Prince Al Walid bin Talal, will invite bids before July for contracts to build the tower in Jeddah.
MEED said that although there is still secrecy over which companies are involved with the project, it is believed that Britain's Hyder Consulting is working in a joint venture with Arup, also British, as engineer on the project, which is expected to cost up to $ 10bn. US engineering giant Bechtel has been chosen as construction manager for the "Mile-High Tower," as it is known. Saudi firm Omrania is the project architect.
Kuwait has unveiled a plan to build a 1,001-metre tower. Its height is a reference to the classic work of Arabic literature, One Thousand and One Nights. Three blades that will be built near the top of the tower will carry a mosque, a church and a synagogue to signify the unity of the three monotheistic religions.
The building will be one of the highlights of the "City of Silk," a $ 77bn project inspired by the Silk Road which aims to revive the ancient trade route by becoming a major free trade zone linking central Asia with Europe.
Kuwait has been vying to restore its position as the most developed country in the Gulf, buoyed by windfall revenues from high oil prices that have increased its foreign assets to $ 213bn.
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