is setting its sights sky-high with plans for an incredibly tall skyscraper that's set to be twice the height of the current tallest building in the . The Rise Tower, standing at a staggering 2,000 metres (1.2 miles) tall and costing a whopping £3billion, is the centrepiece of Saudi Arabia's futuristic North Pole megaproject.

This awe-inspiring structure will dwarf Dubai's Burj Khalifa, which stands at 828 metres (0.5 miles), and even outdo the upcoming Jeddah Tower, set to reach 1,000 metres (0.6 miles). The 678-storey tower, part of the ambitious North Pole development in Riyadh, is a Foster + Partners design.

The Public Investment Fund has officially invited international contracting firms to submit project management bids. This colossal construction is another bold move by eco-conscious Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.

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The call for bids comes as Saudi Arabia takes another significant stride towards achieving its Vision 2030 programme. The groundbreaking tower will house luxury hotels, entertainment venues, fine dining establishments, and much more.

It also aims to establish itself as a global hotspot for tourism and business while setting new standards in sustainable urban planning. The North Pole project is set to become Riyadh's next major economic hub, covering a vast area of 300 square kilometres.

It's envisioned as a fully integrated city, seamlessly blending residential, commercial, and industrial zones. The design for the tower was unveiled in August 2023.

Mohammed Al Qahtani, CEO of Saudi Arabia Holding Co., has unveiled ambitious plans for a futuristic megacity. He enthused: "The North Pole project seamlessly blends modernity with the beauty of nature, delivering a unique living experience. The project is poised to usher in a remarkable transformation, redefining the region's economic and social landscape.

"Anticipated to generate new job opportunities, attract foreign investments, and elevate living standards, this visionary project aims to elevate Riyadh's global standing as a modern metropolis."

North Pole will boast cutting-edge transport systems, including a rapid metro network and autonomous vehicles. The city's design will focus on high-rise living, ensuring a vibrant urban environment with top-notch amenities.

Sustainability is at the heart of the project, with renewable energy powering the city and lush green spaces woven into its fabric.

But per original plans, a section of this ambitious 110-mile-long urban development was supposed to take shape by 2030, with completion envisaged by 2045. Yet, the most recent snapshots from above suggest a starkly different reality: while a modest settlement has sprung up to accommodate construction workers, there's scant progress on Neom's main framework in the past few years.

Images from 2023 showcased extensive groundwork spanning almost the entirety of the megastructure, but fresher pictures indicate a notable dip in action on site. Bloomberg has run reports claiming project blueprints have been downscaled and workforces trimmed – accusations that Saudi Economic Minister Faisal F.Alibrahim staunchly denies.