Kingdom Centre, Modern skyscraper in Al-Olaya district, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom Centre is a 302-meter building in the Al-Olaya neighborhood of Riyadh and carries a parabolic arch at the top that links two sections through a glass-enclosed skybridge. Visitors who ride up reach a viewing level from which the city and surrounding areas spread out below.
Construction on the 41-floor tower started in the late 1990s and finished in 2002 through a partnership between Italian and Saudi firms. Since completion, the building has reshaped the look of the district and ranks among the tall structures in the city.
The mosque inside sits at an elevated spot and shows how prayer spaces fit into modern Saudi buildings today. Visitors notice that places of worship now share floors with offices, shops, and hotels and remain part of daily routines.
Inside, 45 elevators connect floors with offices, a hotel, and a three-level shopping center holding 150 shops. Visitors planning to go up to the viewing deck should arrive early to avoid queues and wear comfortable shoes for walking around.
The opening at the summit takes the shape of two spread wings and forms a recognizable mark on the city horizon. This shape was debated during planning and was eventually chosen as both a technical and visual solution.
Location: Riyadh
Inception: 2000
Architects: Ellerbe Becket, Bechtel
Architectural style: modern architecture
Floors above the ground: 41
Elevators: 45
Height: 302 m
Address: الملك فهد
Opening Hours: Monday-Thursday 09:00-23:00; Friday 12:30-00:00; Saturday-Sunday 09:00-23:00
Phone: +966112112222
Website: http://kingdomcentre.com.sa
GPS coordinates: 24.71139,46.67444
Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:41
This collection brings together skyscrapers that showcase advances in modern engineering and architecture worldwide. These structures rise above metropolises and reshape city horizons, from the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab in Dubai to the CCTV headquarters in Beijing with its two linked towers. Each building reflects a unique architectural approach and technical innovations tailored to its environment. The selection spans all continents and features buildings with various functions. The Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, 452 meters high and connected by a sky bridge, stand alongside New York’s One World Trade Center, which reaches 541 meters. The Lakhta Center in Saint Petersburg is notable for its twisted glass facade, while the Torre Costanera in Santiago offers panoramic views of the Andes. Whether residential buildings like the Eureka Tower in Melbourne or commercial structures such as the Kingdom Centre in Riyadh, these constructions demonstrate how contemporary architecture shapes 21st-century cities.
The world of skyscrapers reflects the technical and architectural developments of recent decades. From New York to Dubai and Shanghai, buildings have risen that now define their cities' skylines while combining different construction traditions and innovations. This collection includes towers across multiple continents, among them the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, which at 2,717 feet (828 meters) stands as the world's tallest completed structure, and the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, which served for years as a reference point for modern Asian design. The buildings listed serve various functions: office complexes such as One World Trade Center in New York or Shanghai Tower combine workspaces with observation decks, while the Abraj Al-Bait Clock Tower in Mecca blends religious and commercial uses. In Europe, The Shard in London, Tour Montparnasse in Paris, and Commerzbank Tower in Frankfurt represent examples of high-rise buildings in historically developed cities. Other structures like Lakhta Center in Saint Petersburg or Gran Torre Santiago in Chile demonstrate that this building form has expanded well beyond traditional centers. Visiting these towers offers more than views from considerable heights. Many feature public areas, restaurants, or exhibitions that provide insight into urban development and the technical requirements of such projects. The towers exist in different urban contexts and show how architecture adapts to local conditions.
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