The Burj Dubai, or Dubai Tower, set to be the world’s tallest building, is taking shape in the heart of downtown Dubai. The iconic tower that will have a hotel, freehold apartments and offices has recently passed 130 floors and 1500 feet (468 meters) in height according to information just released by the developer (www.burjdubai.com ). The official finishing height is a closely held secret, but it will be the tallest structure in the world by far. When completed, it is expected to top out at over 700 meters, 2200 feet and at least 160 floors. This will make it the tallest building in the world in all four standard categories: spire height, occupied floor, roof height and pinnacle height.
In contrast, the tallest building in the world currently is the Taipei 101 at 509 m, or 1,670 ft. At the current rate of construction of 2-3 floors per week, Burj Dubai will become the tallest building sometime this summer. It will also pass the CN Tower in Toronto and the Warsaw Radio Mast when complete, becoming the tallest land-based structure in the world. Several other buildings are in design or early construction stages that are also competing for the title of tallest building, which is why the final height is being kept secret.
Burj Dubai was designed by the well known architectural firm of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (www.som.com ). Its footprint is shaped like a six-petal desert flower and it will be surrounded by a man-made lake and the Downtown Dubai Development. The tower is set to be complete sometime in late 2008 or early 2009 and will have a hotel and shops on the lower floors, freehold residences and offices on the upper floors.
International and local investors who are able to have a residence or office hear will have one of the most prestigious addresses in the world. Offices are currently being sold for AED 1 million and up, while 2 bedroom apartments are currently going for AED 2 million and up. For those who want their office upstairs and the best restaurants downstairs, this is the place to be.
Surrounding the Burj Dubai will be an extensive office and residential development. For those who can’t quite afford the prices in the Tower, these offices and residences will enable them to have a great view and exclusive address at a more reasonable price. The Burj Residence will contain nine luxury freehold residential towers along the lake. Burj Dubai Mall is also under construction and will be the largest mall in the world with over 9 million square feet, or 836,000 square meters, of shopping area.
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