Another big one...

Although all construction on the foundation has been put off until January 2010, this is still quite noteworthy. This is the Nakheel Tower [formerly: Al Burj], developed by Nakheel [rival to Emaar, developer on Burj Dubai]. This building will be the pinnacle to all other skyscraper construction projects in Dubai's ever rising skyline.




The potential contractors taking on the project are Samsung Corporation [South Korea, built Burg Dubai], Shimizu Corporation [Japan], or Grocon [Australia]. This building is designed to reach 1,400 meters [4,600 ft] and have 200 floors or more. It's estimated there will be 150 elevators with the main lift traveling nearly 125 mph [200 kph], fast enough to go from ground to the 2,788 ft [850 m] mark in four minutes. The tower will house a facility for 10,000 or more vehicles, this should satisfy the residents of the ultra-luxury apartments. Other amenities include "high star" restaurants, a health club, an observation deck, and sky gardens.


There could be some further delay in the process, due majorly to the overwhelming developmental debt and the world real estate slump. Previous figures for competitor Burj Dubai put a rather small studio out just shy of $800k, with these increasingly beautiful buildings the price is sure to only rise.


Dubai Article 1
Dubai Article 2

Dubai becomes leader!

Burj Dubai will be the tallest building in the world upon completion, though it has already earned that title. The building has reached 2,559 ft (780 m), equaling 160 stories. This building "realize[s] the aspirations of mankind to reach to the sky" [according to: William F. Baker in Engineering the Structure of the World's Tallest Building]. South Korea's Samsung Corporation is the main contractor on the project, but it is stated that there are upwards of 30 contractors on site. Opening it's first section earlier in 2009, this building will only continue to grow in years to come. The majority of the building will be used as residential space. Other amenities will include executive offices, an observation platform, and multiple restaurants. Interested in picking up a nice pad in Dubai? A 669 square foot studio in the Burj Dubai will run you $762,530 [2,801,000 AED], just contact the people over at Emaar Properties. This is the most fasinating project ever undertaken by man, yet it is impossible not to compare it to the Tower of Babel.