A Spanish-Swiss architectural firm has come out on top to design a new mega-tower in Dubai – which will surpass the world’s current tallest building Burj Khalifa in height – after the emirate’s ruler chose its design from a field of international suitors.
Architect Santiago Calatrava will join forces with Emaar – the firm behind the Burj Khalifa – to create what they say will become ‘an icon of a nation’ in a similar vein to the Eiffel Tower.
Speaking at the weekend, Calatrava said: “There’s no doubt that the Eiffel Tower has inspired over 100 years, it represents a city, a whole nation. It is still today a monument. I feel so proud to be part of a team that aims to obtain a similar achievement.”
While the building in Dubai Creek will serve more as an architectural achievement than a working building, there will be floors dedicated to a hotel, restaurant, meeting space, an interior garden and an observation deck.
Both this new Dubai mega-tower and the Burj Khalifa will be surpassed by the 3,280 ft-high Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia, which is also slated for completion in 2020.
Rendering courtesy of emaar.com
