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Burj Dubai, the iconic tower developed by Emaar Properties, is now the second tallest building in the world at 468.1m (1,535.8 ft) high and with 130 storeys.
Burj Dubai is taller than Petronas Towers in Malaysia (452m) and Sears Tower in Chicago (442m), and is second only to Taipei 101 (509m), taller by only 39.9m.
Burj Dubai has also set a new world record for vertical concrete pumping for a building, by pumping to over 460m. The previous record was held by Taipei 101 for pumping concrete up to a height of 448m
The all-time world record for altitude transportation of concrete was set during the extension of the Riva del Garda Hydroelectric Power Plant in Italy in 1994, when concrete was pumped to a record level of 532m.
Dubai will also break this record before construction is complete.
“This is another proud moment for Dubai as the city’s iconic tower continues to scale its way upward to become the tallest building in the world,” said Mohamed Ali Alabbar, chairman, Emaar Properties.
“From now on, every new level and every additional metre on Burj Dubai will be the culminating steps in building an architectural and engineering marvel that reiterates Dubai’s global capabilities.”
He added: “Burj Dubai is already in the international spotlight, and with the cladding work having commenced and being undertaken at an accelerated pace, the world’s tallest building will be completed according to plans.
“The construction of the tower, indeed, marks the cosmopolitan approach of Dubai, whereby the best minds from all over the world come together to realise a vision for growth.”
Designed by Chicago-based Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), Burj Dubai is being constructed by high-rise experts South Korea’s Samsung Corporation.
Turner Construction International is the project and construction manager. More than 318,000 cubic m of reinforced concrete and 63,000 tonnes of reinforcing steel have been used in Burj Dubai’s construction to date.
The construction of 130 levels was completed in 1,226 days since excavation work started in January, 2004.
When completed, Burj Dubai will be the tallest building in the world.
