Burj Dubai (Arabic: برج دبي "Dubai Tower") is a supertall
skyscraper under construction in the Business Bay district of Dubai,
United Arab Emirates, and is the tallest man-made structure ever built,
despite being incomplete. Construction began on September 21, 2004 and
is expected to be completed and ready for occupation in September 2009. The
building is part of the 2 km2 (0.8 sq mi) development called "Downtown
Dubai", at the "First Interchange" (aka "Defence Roundabout") along
Sheikh Zayed Road at Doha Street. The tower's architect is Adrian Smith
who worked with Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) until 2006. The
architecture and engineering firm SOM is in charge of the project. The
primary builders are Samsung Engineering & Construction and Besix
along with Arabtec. Turner Construction Company was chosen as the
construction manager.
The total budget for the Burj Dubai project is about US$4.1 billion and for the entire new 'Downtown Dubai', US$20 billion. Mohamed Ali Alabbar, the CEO of Emaar Properties, speaking at the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat 8th World Congress, said that the price of office space at Burj Dubai had reached $4,000 per sq ft (over $43,000 per sq m) and that the Armani Residences, also in Burj Dubai, were selling for $3,500 per sq ft (over $37,500 per sq m).
The projected final height of Burj Dubai is officially being kept a secret due to competition from other buildings under construction or proposed; however, figures released by a contractor on the project have suggested a height of around 818 m (2,684 ft). Based on this height, the total number of habitable floors is expected to be around 162. However, Burj Dubai's construction manager, Greg Sang, has said only that the final height would be greater than 700 m (2,297 ft), a height already exceeded, and that it would be the world's tallest free-standing structure when completed.
Emaar Properties announced on June 9, 2008 that construction of Burj Dubai was delayed by upgraded finishes and will be completed only in September 2009. An Emaar spokesperson said "The luxury finishes that were decided on in 2004, when the tower was initially conceptualized, is now being replaced by upgraded finishes. The design of the apartments has also been enhanced to make them more aesthetically attractive and functionally superior".
Burj Dubai (Arabic: برج دبي "Dubai Tower") is a supertall
skyscraper under construction in the Business Bay district of Dubai,
United Arab Emirates, and is the tallest man-made structure ever built,
despite being incomplete. Construction began on September 21, 2004 and
is expected to be completed and ready for occupation in September 2009. The
building is part of the 2 km2 (0.8 sq mi) development called "Downtown
Dubai", at the "First Interchange" (aka "Defence Roundabout") along
Sheikh Zayed Road at Doha Street. The tower's architect is Adrian Smith
who worked with Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) until 2006. The
architecture and engineering firm SOM is in charge of the project. The
primary builders are Samsung Engineering & Construction and Besix
along with Arabtec. Turner Construction Company was chosen as the
construction manager.
