[diverteach]

. . . and we thought the Freedom Tower was going to be tall . . . It is always fun to preview cool architectural achievements around the world! We’ve covered everything from the world’s smallest apartment to the coolest architectural projects in the middle east (includes the then proposed-tallest building in the world) to the world’s largest building (proposed in Moscow - slated to dwarf the Pentagon). Once again, we’ve learned of a building that is slated to make the competition cry tears of inadequacy . . . The Daily Mail reported today that Saudi Prince al-Walid bin Talal, one of the richest men on Earth, has unveiled plans to build a tower that will be 1 mile tall (5,280 feet) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - dubbed the Mile-High Tower.

[diverteach]

http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2008/03/31/introducing-the-worlds-tallest-building-mile-high-tower-in-saudi-arabia/

[G8 Diplomat]

Walid bin Talal is the second richest royal in the world (King Abdullah is first). I heard awhile ago the Saudis had plans to build the tallest tower as well...looks like they might go through with them.

Dubai originally built the tallest flagpole for the largest flag, but Jordan built a larger one awhile ago and theirs still stands as the tallest in the world. Architecture races in the Middle East...gotta love it. (Also, the more $$$ they spend on stuff like this is less $$$ they can spend on terror. I say let ‘em have all the competitions they want).

[CaspersGh0sts]

There comes a point where architecture ceases to be architecture and becomes mere showmanship. This tower, with all its engineering feets, looks like a bunch of tall boys stacked upon one another. It’s not a thing of beauty, and it’s not something to inspire any meaningful aspect of the imagination outside of shere awe due to its looming shadow.

When you compare it to the Chrysler Building in New York or the TransAmerica Building in San Francisco.... well, let’s just say I’m fond of a building that inspires beauty and manages to stand out, all the while complementing its surroundings.

[ThomasThomas]

[ThomasThomas]

I can read this one.

[mamelukesabre]

You know what I think would be far more impressive than a mile high tower? An array of say 16 or maybe more canary warf sized towers connected with walkways every 5 or 10 floors. If I were king of some oil rich dictatorship, that’s what I’d build.

[BJungNan]

[ThisLittleLightofMine]

Obviously someone is compensating for something or lack of something : )

[Taffini]

Doesn’t look safe.