Dubai-based property developer EMAAR Properties unveiled plans on Monday to construct the world’s tallest habitable tower. Construction on Burj Dubai will begin this year, EMAAR chairman Mohammed Ali Alabbar, who is also director general of the Dubai Department of Economic Development, told the company’s annual general meeting.
No specific details were given on the tower, other than it will ”dwarf all existing structures” as well as the Shanghai World Financial Center, expected to stand at a world record 492 metres (1,623 feet) when completed in 2007. ”Combining residential, commercial, hotel, entertainment and leisure outlets with open green spaces, water features, pedestrian boulevards, an old town and one of the world’s largest shopping malls, this project will create a new architectural landmark ‒ a city within a city,” Alabbar said.
He said it was a ”rational commercial response to the pipeline of large-scale infrastructure developments in the country which will bring a new professional community to the area,” namely projects such as the Dubai International Finance Centre and the existing Dubai Internet and Media Cities and the new Knowledge Village.
”This community will create a significant new demand in terms of both work, residential and leisure facilities and space — we are pre-empting that demand,” he said. The world’s tallest free-standing tower is currently the CN Tower in Toronto, Canada, which rises to a mighty 553,3 metres but only houses a restaurant and viewing gallery. – Sapa-AFP