Dubai is already home to the world’s tallest building – and developer Emaar is planning to beat its own record with a new skyscraper dubbed, simply, ‘The Tower’.
IN PICTURES: New Dubai skyscraper to rise higher than Burj Khalifa
READ MORE: Emaar’s $1bn Dubai tower to be taller than Burj Khalifa
The developer of the Burj Khalifa on Sunday unveiled plans for a new skyscraper, which is set to be built at a cost of $1bn and form the centrepiece of Dubai Creek Harbour development.
The exact height was not disclosed but Emaar’s chairman Mohamed Alabbar said it would be “a notch” taller than the 828-metre high Burj Khalifa, which is currently the world’s tallest building.
Here are the top 10 things we know about The Tower so far:
1. It was designed by Santiago Calatrava. The Spanish-Swiss architect is known for his eye-catching designs, which have included numerous bridges and the rail terminal at the World Trade Center site in New York. Other works include the Calgary Peace Bridge, the Olympic Sports Complex in Athens and the Turning Torso Tower in Malmö, Sweden.
2. The Tower will be the centrepiece of Dubai Creek Harbour. The wider 6 sq km development is a joint venture between Dubai Holding and Emaar Properties.
3. It will be tall – but we don’t know exactly how tall. Because Emaar did not reveal the exact height, it is not immediately clear whether the building will tower above the under-construction Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia, which at 1km high is set to be the world’s tallest building.
4. Inspired by Islamic architecture. The Tower draws design inspiration from the lily and evokes the image of a minaret, which is a common feature and distinctive aspect of Islamic culture, Emaar said. The elongated oval-shaped bud and geometric texture set the template for the observation decks.
5. 360-degree viewing deck. The Pinnacle Room will be the “crowning glory” of the tower, according to the developer. “The VIP Observation Garden Decks recreate the splendour of the ‘Hanging Gardens of Babylon,’ one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World,” it said. “An engineering marvel awaits visitors, the piece-de-resistance being the fully glazed rotating balconies that extend outward, rotating outside the skin of the tower.
IN PICTURES: New Dubai skyscraper to rise higher than Burj Khalifa
READ MORE: Emaar’s $1bn Dubai tower to be taller than Burj Khalifa
6. Architectural tower. Calatrava has said the purpose of the building is similar to the Eiffel Tower, which he said “represents a city, a whole nation”, according to The National. Aside from the viewing deck, the main working floors will include “a world-class boutique hotel for visitors”, restaurants, function rooms and an interior garden space. But unlike the Burj Khalifa, The Tower will not feature residential units or offices.
7. Finance plan. Alabbar said that the $1 billion project will be financed by 50 percent equity and 50 percent debt.
8. Three main construction elements. Building work is likely to commence under three key deals, namely the foundation work, concrete core, and fabrication of steel cables, The National reported.
9. Work to commence this summer. Foundation piling is set to begin in late June or early July, it was reported.
10. Countdown to 2020. Emaar aims to complete The Tower, along with an accompanying “mega-retail district”, by the time of the Expo 2020 event in Dubai.
IN PICTURES: New Dubai skyscraper to rise higher than Burj Khalifa
READ MORE: Emaar’s $1bn Dubai tower to be taller than Burj Khalifa