Dubai, UAE, April 7, 2007: Burj Dubai, already the tallest structure in the Middle East and Europe, has set a new global record for having more floors than any building in the world. Currently, at 120 storeys and 422.5 metres high, the iconic building developed by Emaar Properties is also one of the five tallest structures in the world.
Height-wise, the Dubai’s iconic tower is now taller than the Empire State Building (381 metres) in New York City and the John Hancock Centre (344 metres) in Chicago, two of only five completed buildings in the world that have 100 storeys or more.
To date, 304,800 cubic metres of reinforced concrete and 59,200 tonnes of reinforcing steel have been used in the construction of Burj Dubai.
“Burj Dubai is setting a new record with every passing day – in terms of height and the number of storeys,” said Mr Mohamed Ali Alabbar, Chairman, Emaar Properties. “This is the accomplishment of teamwork, with the world’s best in engineering, construction and design services working together to create a new landmark not only for the UAE, but for the entire world.”
Designed by Chicago-based Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), Burj Dubai is constructed by high-rise experts South Korea’s Samsung Corporation. Turner Construction International is the project and construction manager.
When completed, Burj Dubai will be the tallest building in the world in all four categories recognised by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), which compiles and ranks the world’s tallest buildings. CTBUH ranks buildings on the basis of spire height, the highest occupied floor, roof height and pinnacle height.
Burj Dubai forms the epicenter of Downtown Burj Dubai, an AED 73 billion (US$20 billion) mixed-use project featuring residences, commercial space, hospitality projects and several retail outlets including The Dubai Mall, one of the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destinations.
Burj Dubai will offer a new lifestyle choice for Dubai residents and visitors. A mixed-use tower, Burj Dubai will have residences and commercial spaces apart from the Armani Hotel Dubai, a luxury hotel developed by Emaar in association with haute couture major Giorgio Armani S.p.A. There will also be recreational facilities and entertainment venues including four luxurious pools and a cigar club, a library, exclusive residents’ lounge, serviced residences, 15,000 sq ft of fitness facilities and an observatory.
