Skyscrapers aren't measured by height alone — some carry designs so distinctive they become icons in their own right. Saudi Arabia has gathered a striking range of these forms, from arches and spheres to cubes and twisting towers.
This guide showcases the Kingdom's towers with the most exceptional designs.
The most distinctive towers
| # | Tower | Height | Completed | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Mukaab | 400 m | 2040 | Under construction |
| 2 | Tuwaiq Traditional Tower | 305 m | 2027 | Under construction |
| 3 | Kingdom Centre | 302 m | 2002 | Completed |
| 4 | Al Faisaliah Tower | 267 m | 2000 | Completed |
| 5 | Majdoul Tower | 244 m | 2019 | Completed |
| 6 | The Headquarters Business Park | 236 m | 2015 | Completed |
| 7 | Aramco Tower | 160 m | 2016 | Completed |
| 8 | Muqarnas Tower | 158 m | 2016 | Completed |
| 9 | Al-Anoud Tower | 155 m | 2005 | Completed |
The arch, the sphere and the cube
Riyadh's skyline is led by three iconic shapes: the Kingdom Centre's inverted arch cradling the 99th-floor Sky Bridge, the glass sphere crowning Al Faisaliah at 24 metres in diameter, and the coming Mukaab in New Murabba with its vast dimensions of roughly 400 metres on each side.
These three forms alone set the capital apart from any other skyline in the region.
From heritage to nature
The other towers draw on varied inspirations: the Tuwaiq Traditional Tower, inspired by traditional architecture; the Muqarnas Tower, whose façade evokes the Islamic muqarnas ornament; the Al-Anoud Tower, inspired by a swordfish; and the twisting Majdoul Tower in the Sahafa district.
Beyond Riyadh, Jeddah's Headquarters Business Park stands out with its sail-like, sea-facing form, and the Aramco Tower — known as "Villas in the Sky" — anchors the King Abdullah Financial District.
Frequently asked questions
What are Riyadh's most famous uniquely-designed towers?
The most famous are the Kingdom Centre with its inverted arch and Sky Bridge, and Al Faisaliah with its glass sphere — joined in future by the Mukaab in New Murabba.
What is the Mukaab?
The Mukaab is a vast cube-shaped building under construction within the New Murabba project in Riyadh, roughly 400 metres on each side, set to be one of the capital's defining future landmarks.