Dubai, UAE, October 31, 2006: With 2,400 workers daily on-site, Burj Dubai, the super tower developed by Emaar Properties, completed 80 levels today rising to a height of 277 metres. The iconic structure, at the heart of the AED 73 billion (US$20 billion) Downtown Burj Dubai, is billed to be the world’s tallest tower when completed in 2008.
At level 80, Burj Dubai is taller than the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco at 266 metres and the Commerzbank Tower in Frankfurt – the tallest building in Europe – at 259 metres.
Burj Dubai has a development value of AED 3.673 billion (US$1 billion) and features retail, commercial and residential spaces apart from featuring the Armani Hotel, Dubai developed by Emaar Properties in association with haute couture leader Giorgio Armani. Luxurious pools, a cigar club, an observation deck at 442 metres height, a library, exclusive residents’ lounges and 15,000 sq ft of fitness facilities are other components.
“Every new level is a new milestone for Burj Dubai, a structure that demands ingenious engineering skills and architectural capabilities,” said Mr Mohamed Ali Alabbar, Chairman, Emaar Properties. “The tower is now taking its inimitable shape with the centre core leading the tower’s charge skyward.”
Burj Dubai is adding a new floor every three days. To date, 216,000 m³ (cubic metres) of reinforced concrete and 39,700 metric tons of reinforcing steel have been used in the construction. Large capacity high speed hoists (120 m/min) are used on site. Cranes have been specially modified to proved fast winch speeds. High capacity concrete pumps that can develop 350 bar pressure push the concrete to the required heights. Extensive testing of concrete mixes was carried out, together with pumping trials.
Burj Dubai has been designed by Chicago-based Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) and is being built by South Korea’s high-rise construction experts Samsung Corporation. Turner Construction International is the project and construction manager.
Other projects within Downtown Burj Dubai include The Old Town and Old Town Island, The Dubai Mall, Burj Dubai Business Hub, The Lofts, Burj Views, South Ridge, Burj Dubai Boulevard, The Residences and 8 Boulevard Walk.
To view Burj Dubai rising at level 80 click here
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