Burj Dubai to open in Dec

Burj Dubai, the tallest tower in the world, will not be completed until December, it emerged on Sunday.

Previous reports had linked the mega structure with a "soft opening" in September to coincide with the start of operations on Dubai Metro.

But the website of UAE daily The National reported that it would not open until December, citing an Emaar spokesperson.

The report also said a contractor on the project had said some external work on the building still needed to be finished, as well as completion of the internal fit-out.

Last month, a top official with construction firm Arabtec told Arabian Business that he believed the apartments at the tower would be ready for a September opening.

“The spire is done, what you can see now is its maximum height. On the issue of finishing, the cranes are being removed, the cladding is almost done. I believe it will be finished on time,” chief financial officer Ziad Makhzoumi said.

Emaar has been tight-lipped over the final height of the Burj Dubai, which is thought to have topped out earlier this year at 818m.

More than 1,000 specially commissioned pieces of art will adorn the interiors of Burj Dubai.

Pride of place in the iconic structure’s residential lobby will be an artwork featuring 196 bronze and brass alloy cymbals - representing the 196 countries of the world - suspended on titanium rods anchored at the bottom of two pools.

Visitors to the lobby will be able to hear a distinct timbre as the cymbals, which are plated with 18-carat gold, are struck by dripping water, intended to mimic the sound of water falling on leaves.

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