Genesis 11:4
4 Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth."
11:8 8 So the LORD scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city
(I guess this Saudi Prince doesn't remember the last time someone tried to build the world's tallest tower in the Middle East..)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/arti...in_page_id=1811
Mile-high tower: Saudi prince promises £5bn desert spire TWICE as tall as nearest rival being built
By BARRY WIGMORE - More by this author »
Last updated at 12:15pm on 31st March 2008
Comments (7)
On a clear day, the view from the top will take in the Middle East, North Africa and the Indian Ocean - providing you've a head for heights.
Plans for a mile-high tower in the Saudi Arabian desert have been unveiled by the billionaire owner of London's Savoy Hotel.
At 5,250ft, the £5billion project, masterminded by two British engineering consultancies, will be twice as high as its nearest rivals, skyscrapers under construction in Dubai and Kuwait, and almost seven times as high as the Canary Wharf tower in London's Docklands.
Scroll down for more...
It is being planned for a new city near the Red Sea port of Jeddah. Behind the scheme is 51-year-old Prince al-Walid bin Talal, who bought the Savoy for £1.25billion in 2005.
The plan gives the Middle East a clear lead over Asian countries and the U.S., who have vied in the past to construct the world's tallest buildings.
None of the other skyscrapers under construction, including New York's Freedom Tower on the World Trade Centre site, will exceed 2,296ft.
The prince's company, Riyadh-based Kingdom Holdings, has set up a joint venture with the London firms Hyder Consulting and Arup.
Experts say the technical challenges are enormous. Much of the lifting will be carried out by helicopters, which will also be used as commuter transport for builders.
The tower will have to be capable of withstanding a wide range of temperatures, with its top baking in the desert sun by day but dropping to well below freezing at night.
To resist the strong winds prevalent in the area and stop it swaying, giving its occupants a form of high-rise seasickness, it will be fitted with a giant computer-operated damper.
Two "mini-towers" - both taller than Canary Wharf - will be built on either side of the main tower.
Linked to it by elevated walkways, they will anchor it and act as stabilisers.
Until recently, the still-under-construction Dubai Tower was expected to be the world's tallest building.
Plans have changed several times to make it higher, but the final version is expected to be 2,300ft with 160 storeys.
Full Version: Mile-high Tower: Saudi Prince Promises 5,250 Ft Tower
I would say, bring it on, right before the Tempest hits it.
Somehow I am grateful to God that there could not be a better sign to understand who is who in this "story".
Somehow I am grateful to God that there could not be a better sign to understand who is who in this "story".
The Saudi Prince is going to loose big time in this little financial adventure.
I'm curious what the bedrock under that area is like. Lets see...he has sand....lots of sand. And he is near a large body of water.
I think that area has tectonic activity. Let me see what I can find......
Ahhh HA!
http://www.sgs.org.sa/index.cfm?sec=90&page=
Not a smart move. But when someone has too much money to spend....they tend to do very stupid things.
I'm curious what the bedrock under that area is like. Lets see...he has sand....lots of sand. And he is near a large body of water.
I think that area has tectonic activity. Let me see what I can find......
Ahhh HA!
QUOTE
Saudi Arabia, consequently, is subject to a range of earthquake activity because of its position in the Arabian Plate and because the plate is relatively small, which means that Saudi Arabia is bounded by, or close to the plate margins, in all directions. These boundaries are the Dead Sea transform on the northwest; the Red Sea spreading center on the west; the Gulf of Aden spreading center on the south; and the Zagros subduction zone on the northeast.
http://www.sgs.org.sa/index.cfm?sec=90&page=
Not a smart move. But when someone has too much money to spend....they tend to do very stupid things.
It only requires one guy to shake in his booties to cause liquifaction, wasn't that what scientists discovered?
Liquifaction tends to happen when an area of water has been filled up with landfill and made into hard land.
When tectonic plates start to move.....it does not take much to break apart the soil and make the water underneath run throughout it.
I'm sure they are building this on rock and not landfill. What kind of rock is the question. I don't see Granite listed under their Geological survey.
http://www.sgs.org.sa/index.cfm?sec=16&page=
These rocks are not good to build such a massive structure on...(from the one class I took on Geology) and I think its just common sense...no?
How strong is siltstone or sandstone or limestone? lol..
That is pretty much what I see making up the rock bed underneath.
Lots of sand, gravel and clay.
And Cenozoic rocks does not say much except how old they are. From the website above...that seems to be how old the rock layer is by the Red Sea.
Either way.....its too tall.
When tectonic plates start to move.....it does not take much to break apart the soil and make the water underneath run throughout it.
I'm sure they are building this on rock and not landfill. What kind of rock is the question. I don't see Granite listed under their Geological survey.
http://www.sgs.org.sa/index.cfm?sec=16&page=
These rocks are not good to build such a massive structure on...(from the one class I took on Geology) and I think its just common sense...no?
How strong is siltstone or sandstone or limestone? lol..
That is pretty much what I see making up the rock bed underneath.
Lots of sand, gravel and clay.
And Cenozoic rocks does not say much except how old they are. From the website above...that seems to be how old the rock layer is by the Red Sea.
Either way.....its too tall.
What goes up must come down.
Just wanted to say good morning Dean. 
Chloé
Chloé
Good morning to you too!
I am curious as to what year this tower will begin to be built and completed?
It will be 1260 + 1290 years from the fall of Babylon (539 BC) in AD 2012. This is an interesting year for other reasons as well.
I am curious as to what year this tower will begin to be built and completed?
It will be 1260 + 1290 years from the fall of Babylon (539 BC) in AD 2012. This is an interesting year for other reasons as well.
QUOTE
Kingdom set to approve Mile High tower in Jeddah
Published: 22 February 2008 18:13 GMT Author: Christopher Sell More by this Author Last Updated: 13 March 2008 06:00
Prince Alwaleed bin Talal al-Saud
Tenders expected within six months to build 1,600-metre skyscaper."It is generally understood that the project is going forward. The prince has indicated he is ready."
Source close to the projectThe Riyadh-based Kingdom Holding Company will launch, in the first half of the year, tenders for the major construction packages on its project to build the world's tallest tower in Jeddah.
The tenders will follow a final investment decision on the project, which MEED understands is imminent.
The tower in Jeddah, also known as the Mile High tower, could reach 1,600 metres, or one mile, in height, making it twice the height of the current tallest building in the world, Burj Dubai, which is under construction.
"It is generally understood that the project is going forward," says a source close to the project.
"It has not stopped and we don't think it is going to be stopped. The prince [Kingdom chairman Prince Alwaleed bin Talal al-Saud] has indicated he is ready."
While the final height and number of storeys are yet to be finalised, the budget is expected to be up to $10bn.
There is still secrecy over which companies are involved with the project. However, MEED understands that the UK's Hyder Consulting is working in a joint venture with Arup, also of the UK, as engineer on the project.
Saudi firm Omrania, in collaboration with the US' Pickard Chilton worked on the design of the tower and the US' Bechtel is the construction manager.
In mid-February, Andrew Davids, director of structures at Hyder, confirmed his company was working on a tower in the region that would be twice as tall as the Burj Dubai, but declined to name it (MEED 13:2:08).
According to Rukn Eldeen, project manager with Omrania, the tower plot will be 170,000 square metres.
The tower's projected height means wind will be a major factor in the design, and Eldeen says the company has spoken to wind consultants and lift manufacturers to deal with the logistical challenge of transporting elevator passengers to such a height.
The tower is part of a wider real estate project planned by Kingdom Holding.
The development covers 5.3 sq km and is located in the north of the city near the creek.
The investment value of the project is estimated at SR50bn ($13.6bn) on completion.
It will be split into a residen--
tial area of 1.5 million sq m, a business zone of 800,000 sq m, and a 470,000 sq m commercial area. There will also be an education area of 150,000 sq m, along with leisure and tourism facilities and hotels.
Omrania has worked on several Kingdom Holding projects. It designed the Kingdom Centre in Riyadh, in joint venture with Ellerbe Becket of the US, which was completed in 2002. At 302 metres, it is currently the kingdom's tallest building.
Hyder has been working on Emaar Properties' Burj Dubai, in Dubai, which is due to be completed at the end of 2009.
Burj Dubai had reached 605 metres and 159 floors by early February, more than 90 metres higher than the world's tallest completed building, Taiwan's Taipei 101, and more than 40 metres higher than the world's tallest free-standing structure, Toronto's CN Tower. Its final height is expected to be 818 metres.
Other super-tall buildings planned in the Gulf include Burj Mubarak al-Kabir in Kuwait's City of Silk, which is expected to hit 1,001 metres, and Al-Burj in Dubai, which is planned to reach 1,200 metres.
Construction of super-tall towers creates immense construction and design challenges.
The effect of wind on the structure and the logistics of carrying out construction at such a height make such projects not only financially punishing but also technically demanding.
Author: Christopher Sell.
Published: 22 February 2008 18:13 GMT Author: Christopher Sell More by this Author Last Updated: 13 March 2008 06:00
Prince Alwaleed bin Talal al-Saud
Tenders expected within six months to build 1,600-metre skyscaper."It is generally understood that the project is going forward. The prince has indicated he is ready."
Source close to the projectThe Riyadh-based Kingdom Holding Company will launch, in the first half of the year, tenders for the major construction packages on its project to build the world's tallest tower in Jeddah.
The tenders will follow a final investment decision on the project, which MEED understands is imminent.
The tower in Jeddah, also known as the Mile High tower, could reach 1,600 metres, or one mile, in height, making it twice the height of the current tallest building in the world, Burj Dubai, which is under construction.
"It is generally understood that the project is going forward," says a source close to the project.
"It has not stopped and we don't think it is going to be stopped. The prince [Kingdom chairman Prince Alwaleed bin Talal al-Saud] has indicated he is ready."
While the final height and number of storeys are yet to be finalised, the budget is expected to be up to $10bn.
There is still secrecy over which companies are involved with the project. However, MEED understands that the UK's Hyder Consulting is working in a joint venture with Arup, also of the UK, as engineer on the project.
Saudi firm Omrania, in collaboration with the US' Pickard Chilton worked on the design of the tower and the US' Bechtel is the construction manager.
In mid-February, Andrew Davids, director of structures at Hyder, confirmed his company was working on a tower in the region that would be twice as tall as the Burj Dubai, but declined to name it (MEED 13:2:08).
According to Rukn Eldeen, project manager with Omrania, the tower plot will be 170,000 square metres.
The tower's projected height means wind will be a major factor in the design, and Eldeen says the company has spoken to wind consultants and lift manufacturers to deal with the logistical challenge of transporting elevator passengers to such a height.
The tower is part of a wider real estate project planned by Kingdom Holding.
The development covers 5.3 sq km and is located in the north of the city near the creek.
The investment value of the project is estimated at SR50bn ($13.6bn) on completion.
It will be split into a residen--
tial area of 1.5 million sq m, a business zone of 800,000 sq m, and a 470,000 sq m commercial area. There will also be an education area of 150,000 sq m, along with leisure and tourism facilities and hotels.
Omrania has worked on several Kingdom Holding projects. It designed the Kingdom Centre in Riyadh, in joint venture with Ellerbe Becket of the US, which was completed in 2002. At 302 metres, it is currently the kingdom's tallest building.
Hyder has been working on Emaar Properties' Burj Dubai, in Dubai, which is due to be completed at the end of 2009.
Burj Dubai had reached 605 metres and 159 floors by early February, more than 90 metres higher than the world's tallest completed building, Taiwan's Taipei 101, and more than 40 metres higher than the world's tallest free-standing structure, Toronto's CN Tower. Its final height is expected to be 818 metres.
Other super-tall buildings planned in the Gulf include Burj Mubarak al-Kabir in Kuwait's City of Silk, which is expected to hit 1,001 metres, and Al-Burj in Dubai, which is planned to reach 1,200 metres.
Construction of super-tall towers creates immense construction and design challenges.
The effect of wind on the structure and the logistics of carrying out construction at such a height make such projects not only financially punishing but also technically demanding.
Author: Christopher Sell.
QUOTE
Billionaire Saudi Prince To Construct World's Tallest Building In Jeddah For $10B
March 31, 2008 4:21 p.m. EST
Jupiter Kalambakal - AHN News Writer
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (AHN)- Saudi Billionaire and owner of London's Savoy Hotel Prince Al Walid Bin Talal has revealed plans for the ambitious $10 billion Mile High Tower, which will be constructed in Saudi's financial capital and Red Sea port of Jeddah.
The $10 billion structure, which will enable visitors to see Africa from the top of the tower, is set to become the world's tallest building.
The mega skyscraper is reported to overtake skyscrapers planned or under construction in Kuwait and Dubai, which includes the Burj Dubai, the tallest man-made structure to date, which is expected completion in 2009.
The Mile High Tower will double the height of Burj Dubai, and will be almost seven times the height of the Canary Wharf tower in London.
Riyadh-based Kingdom Holding, owned by Prince Al Walid, will open bids before July for contracts to build the tower in Jeddah.
The project will push architecture and engineering to new limits, as the tower must be strong enough to withstand the extremes of temperature and strong desert winds in the region.
Gulf Arab states, which are surging with funds as a result of record high oil prices, are trying to outstrip each other to build the world's tallest building.
Prince Al Walid, a member of the Saudi royal family, bought the Savoy Hotel in the Strand in London for $2.5 billion in 2005.
March 31, 2008 4:21 p.m. EST
Jupiter Kalambakal - AHN News Writer
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (AHN)- Saudi Billionaire and owner of London's Savoy Hotel Prince Al Walid Bin Talal has revealed plans for the ambitious $10 billion Mile High Tower, which will be constructed in Saudi's financial capital and Red Sea port of Jeddah.
The $10 billion structure, which will enable visitors to see Africa from the top of the tower, is set to become the world's tallest building.
The mega skyscraper is reported to overtake skyscrapers planned or under construction in Kuwait and Dubai, which includes the Burj Dubai, the tallest man-made structure to date, which is expected completion in 2009.
The Mile High Tower will double the height of Burj Dubai, and will be almost seven times the height of the Canary Wharf tower in London.
Riyadh-based Kingdom Holding, owned by Prince Al Walid, will open bids before July for contracts to build the tower in Jeddah.
The project will push architecture and engineering to new limits, as the tower must be strong enough to withstand the extremes of temperature and strong desert winds in the region.
Gulf Arab states, which are surging with funds as a result of record high oil prices, are trying to outstrip each other to build the world's tallest building.
Prince Al Walid, a member of the Saudi royal family, bought the Savoy Hotel in the Strand in London for $2.5 billion in 2005.
QUOTE (Shekel @ Apr 1 2008, 07:05 AM) 
Good morning to you too!
I am curious as to what year this tower will begin to be built and completed?
It will be 1260 + 1290 years from the fall of Babylon (539 BC) in AD 2012. This is an interesting year for other reasons as well.
I am curious as to what year this tower will begin to be built and completed?
It will be 1260 + 1290 years from the fall of Babylon (539 BC) in AD 2012. This is an interesting year for other reasons as well.
And what do you see?
QUOTE
It will be 1260 + 1290 years from the fall of Babylon (539 BC) in AD 2012. This is an interesting year for other reasons as well.
I'm also interested in what your thoughts are about that year. Care to share?
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