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EXCLUSIVE: Emaar plans new Dubai “super tower” to rival Burj Khalifa

Developer considering designs and location for megaproject

The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world, standing at 828 metres tall. Image: Shutterstock

Emaar is considering plans for a new “super tower” in Dubai that would eclipse all other planned developments in height, and likely become the world’s second-tallest building.

The company’s founder Mohamed Alabbar, sources say, has been working on incorporating “sustainable, cutting-edge technologies that have yet to be used in any development in the world.”

Emaar already holds the record for the world’s tallest building, the 828m Burj Khalifa, which officially opened in January 2010.

“We are talking about the kind of design and construction that nobody in the world will come close to doing, let alone the height of this building,” the source added.

Dubai’s towering ambitions

Arabian Business understands that the developer is looking at plans for a structure that would be close to the current height of the Burj Khalifa. Potential locations include in the proximity of the current Burj Khalifa in Downtown Dubai, and at Dubai Creek. Four different designs have already been closely examined, including a glass tube-style structure, a rocket-shaped tower and a futuristic design containing gothic spires.

Any super tower, sources suggest, would be a luxury-style project, focusing on high-end offices, hotels, leisure and residences, with heavy AI integration in both the design and operation of the building.

Dubai's Future Skyscraper
Emaar chairman Mohamed Alabbar. Image: Bloomberg

The Burj Azizi, which broke ground in January this year and is being developed by Azizi Developments, is currently designed to be 725 metres tall, which would make it the world’s second tallest building. The $1.6 billion project is scheduled for completion in 2028.

Marina 101 (425m) and Princess Tower (414m) are currently the second and third largest buildings in Dubai, though both are nearly half the height of the Burj Khalifa.

The Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia was designed to be over 1km tall but has been plagued by lengthy delays since construction originally started eleven years ago.

“This tower would be the biggest thing built not just in Dubai but the world since the Burj Khalifa. We have done it once, so we know better than anyone how to do it twice,” says a source close to the project.

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Anil Bhoyrul

Anil Bhoyrul

Anil Bhoyrul has worked on Arabian Business since 2004 and is renowned for having interviewed some of the world’s biggest names in business, politics, celebrity, royalty and sport – including HRH Prince...