Gulf states in race to build world's tallest tower
Gulf Arab states, flush with proceeds from record high oil prices, are racing to build the world's tallest tower.
Saudi Arabia, which sits on a quarter of the planet's proven oil reserves, has just joined the fray with a plan to build a one-mile (1,600 metre, 5,249 foot) 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 (2,296 feet) 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, Saudi Arabia's commercial capital.
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 10 billion dollars.
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 (3,284 foot) tower. Its height is a reference to the classic work of Arabic literature, One Thousand and One Nights.
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