Video summary

These Countries Are Building Their Tallest Skyscraper

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News and Commentary

Overview

The video is a roundup of countries building (or planning) extreme supertall skyscrapers, highlighting their heights, engineering challenges, and the political/economic context around them.

Country-by-country projects

Greece — Riviera Tower (Ellinikon, ~198 m; completion ~2026)

  • Positioned as Greece’s “first true skyscraper,” built on the former Athens airport site as part of the major Ellinikon urban regeneration project.
  • Supporters: see it as a landmark for Ellinikon.
  • Critics: argue it’s aimed at wealthy global buyers; residential permits have reportedly fallen and apartments are described as extremely expensive.
  • Foreign-investor appeal is tied to a Golden Visa, including higher minimum investment thresholds in prime areas.

Bulgaria — Sky Fort (Sofia, ~202 m; completion ~this year)

  • Expected to become Bulgaria’s tallest.
  • Designed around earthquake risk using a seismic-resistant “advanced” structure and C60 grade concrete (described as much stronger than typical concrete).
  • The arch shape enables a specialized two-type glass facade:
    • Appears white from outside
    • Remains transparent from inside

France (Paris La Défense) — The Link (242 m; opening this year)

  • A twin-tower complex connected by 30 aerial walkways that act as outdoor terrace gardens.
  • Set to become TotalEnergies’ headquarters.
  • Sustainability emphasis:
    • A facade with solar panels
    • Targeting roughly 50% energy use reduction versus current TotalEnergies building baselines.

Canada (Toronto) — SkyTower at Pinnacle One Yonge (rising toward ~352 m)

  • The height push is framed as both financial and symbolic.
  • Engineering and construction adaptations include:
    • Wind dampers
    • Major site work, including demolition and integration with Toronto’s PATH underground network
    • Plan changes: adding height, then converting mechanical space into apartments
  • Status update:
    • Reached the 71st floor
    • Expected to top out by year-end at about 106 floors

Japan (Tokyo) — Torch Tower (~390 m; completion 2028)

  • Built in an earthquake-prone area with a braced-tube system designed to flex during earthquakes without catastrophic failure.
  • Part of broader district redevelopment, featuring:
    • A public plaza (gardens/koi pond)
    • Landscaped waterfront spaces at the base
    • A tapering silhouette shaped like a glowing torch, symbolizing resilience
  • The top is positioned for views toward Mount Fuji.

Ivory Coast (Abidjan) — Tour F (421 m; completion ~2026)

  • Marketed as the tallest building in Africa, aiming to surpass Egypt’s Iconic Tower.
  • Notes include:
    • Long gestation (first imagined in the 1970s)
    • Heavy engineering: deep foundations with supports drilled 80 meters into the ground
  • Social tension highlighted:
    • Large-scale demolitions last year reportedly displaced thousands due to health concerns, illustrating infrastructure lag in fast-growing cities.

Mexico (Monterrey) — Torre Rise (475 m)

  • Expected to be the tallest in Latin America and taller than the Empire State Building, inspired by a New York–style aesthetic.
  • Setbacks:
    • Groundwater during excavation required redesign and safer methods in waterlogged soil
  • Intersects with a major water crisis (“Day Zero” warnings):
    • Concrete supply reportedly minimized potable water usage during production using alternative sources.

Brazil (Balneário Camboriú) — Senna Tower (544 m; construction starts late 2025; up to ~10 years)

  • Planned challenger for “tallest in Latin America,” named after Ayrton Senna and designed by his niece.
  • Features:
    • A racetrack experience at the base
    • Lighting scheme symbolizing Senna’s journey
  • Due to coastal winds, it uses the first large-scale tuned mass damper in Latin America.
  • The video claims it will become the tallest residential tower on Earth upon completion.

United States (Oklahoma City) — Legends Tower (581 m; tallest in the US; target opening ~2030)

  • Height described as symbolic:
    • 581 m (1,907 ft) matches the year Oklahoma became a state.
  • The video emphasizes unusual local context:
    • Oklahoma City isn’t among the most populous US cities, but developers expect the tower to “transform” the region.
  • Risks and delays:
    • Tornado Alley conditions (about 1,000 tornadoes/year mentioned), requiring reinforced and ultra-strong materials
    • FAA air-traffic/approvals delay (as of late 2024), stalling full construction until approvals arrive

Saudi Arabia — Jeddah Tower (target 1,000+ m; restart in 2026; completion predicted 2028)

  • Presented as the most ambitious: a first structure meant to cross 1,000 meters (roughly 200 m taller than Burj Khalifa).
  • After major prior holdups:
    • Construction is said to have restarted
    • Concrete poured on the 64th floor
    • Reaching the 66th floor by April
    • Targeting 2028 completion
  • Leadership/contractor situation:
    • Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal back in leadership
    • Saudi Binladen Group re-involved via a $1.9B contract
  • The narrator notes uncertainty due to the project’s “messy” history, but argues political and financial pressure could still make it happen.

Closing prompt in the video

The video concludes by inviting viewers to comment on:

  • Which project is most likely to succeed (with special emphasis on Jeddah Tower)
  • Which project is their favorite

Presenters or contributors

  • Regis (host/narrator)
  • CyberGhost VPN (sponsor referenced in the video)
  • TotalEnergies (mentioned as the future headquarters tenant)
  • Belgian construction firm BESIX (mentioned as a lead builder for Tour F)
  • Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal (mentioned as leading the Jeddah Tower project again)
  • Saudi Binladen Group (mentioned as rehired contractor)

Original video