Tall & Urban News

The 37-story AKH Tower is open for business, making it the tallest building in Dammam.

Built by contractor Shapoorji Pallonji Mideast, AKH Tower will be the new headquarters for Al Abdul Karim Holding (AKH), a wholesale distributor.

UAE-based Dewan Architects + Engineers led the design and supervision of the project, which covers 64,000 square meters. The commercial building has a slanted façade with angular lines running across the high-rise tower, which the architecture firm’s executive director said gives it a distinctive appearance.

“The tower’s façade and slanting volumes make for arresting lines and configurations within the interior, creating distinctive and dynamic office spaces on every floor, which allows the building to cater to numerous companies with varying spatial needs,” Ammar Al Assam said in a statement.

AKH Tower has been outfitted with an energy-saving building management system, CCTV, access control, and high-quality telecommunication equipment in all the meeting rooms.

An emergency electricity generator and a built-in power supply have both been installed as well, alongside parking space in the basement and across seven podium levels. While AKH occupies a large portion of the building, there is still space for other companies to set up shop.

AKH may be the tallest tower in Dammam, the administrative capital of Saudi’s Eastern Province, but it is hardly the only skyscraper dotting the kingdom’s skyline.

Jeddah Tower, which is still under construction, will be among the tallest buildings in the world upon completion, stretching one kilometer high. Upon achieving that height, it is expected to overtake Burj Khalifa as the world’s tallest building.

For more on this story visit Construction Week Online.