Dubai kicks off building of $1billion ”world”s tallest” skyscraper

Dubai has started construction of a skyscraper that will reach even greater heights than the Burj Khalifa, which is currently the world’s tallest building. The Tower at Dubai Creek Harbour will cost around $1billion (£0.82billion) to build and will offer 360 degree views of the city. A statement issued at the groundbreaking ceremony said the […]

Dubai has started construction of a skyscraper that will reach even greater heights than the Burj Khalifa, which is currently the world’s tallest building.

The Tower at Dubai Creek Harbour will cost around $1billion (£0.82billion) to build and will offer 360 degree views of the city.

A statement issued at the groundbreaking ceremony said the structure ‘will be the world’s tallest tower when completed in 2020’.

The Gulf emirate’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, marked the groundbreaking as construction workers laid foundations for the skyscraper at a vast patch of sand on Monday.

Dubai’s property developer giant, Emaar Properties, announced plans to build the viewing tower in April, saying it will be ‘a notch’ higher than Burj Khalifa, which stands 828m (2,700ft) high.

However, the company has not revealed the exact final height of the tower.

Emaar Properties said in April that the structure will cost around $1billion (£0.82billion) to construct.

The tower will have observation decks providing 360-degree views of the coastal city and is located near Ras Al Khor National Wildlife Sanctuary, according to Emirates 247.

It will be slender, evoking the image of a minaret, and will be anchored to the ground with sturdy cables

The designs have been envisioned by Spanish-Swiss architect Santiago Calatrava Valls.