Chinese in front to build world’s tallest tower in Dubai

20 February, 2018 | By COLIN FOREMAN

Beijing-based China State Construction Engineering Corporation is the frontrunner for the contract to build the world’s tallest man-made structure in Dubai.

Local developer Emaar received bids from two groups for the estimated AED5.5bn ($1.5bn) contract to build The Tower at Dubai Creek Harbour in mid-January. The bidders are China State and a joint venture of the local/Belgium Belhasa Six Construct and the US’ Tishman.

It is understood that the China State bid has the lowest price, and accepts different contractual conditions than the Belhasa Six Construct/Tishman bid.

The superstructure comprises three key elements. They are: a concrete core, a steel frame structure on top of the concrete core, and cables descending down from the tower to the ground.

In late 2016, Dubai officially confirmed the tower will be the world’s tallest man-made structure when it is completed. The final height has not been disclosed. To become the world’s tallest tower, it will have to be more than 1,008 metres in height, which is the planned final height of the under-construction Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia.

The Tower at Dubai Creek Harbour has been tendered before. Emaar received prices from contractors in 2017, and it is understood that those offers were not within Emaar’s budget.

Companies are already working on the project. Belhasa Six Construct is working on the raft foundations. France’s Soletanche Bachy is the piling contractor for the project.

Spanish/Swiss architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava Valls is the main consultant on the project with the local office of Aurecon, which is supported by UK’s RMJM and Dubai-based DEC, acting as local engineer and architect of record.

The project manager for the tower is US-based Parsons.

The tower is the centrepiece of the 6-square-kilometre Dubai Creek Harbour development. It is located in the Ras al-Khor area on the banks of Dubai Creek and is being developed by a joint venture of Emaar and Dubai Holding.

Ras al-Khaimah carves out its identity

Real estate activity in the sector is helping the emirate emerge as an independent tourism and hospitality powerhouse This article is the first in a series that captures key highlights from ...

CONNECT SERIES: A new model for hospitality

On 23 May, Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture issued guidelines to hotels in the emirate for the reopening of restaurants, bars, beaches, pools and gyms. The announcement marked the start of ...

The fight ahead for Dubai’s retail sector

Mall owners will not only be threatened by e-commerce, they also risk losing business to other malls Dubai has never been a place for shirking a challenge and its decision to ...

Shortages in high-end real estate loom for Dubai

Concerns surrounding oversupply are taking a backseat as growing buyer demand coupled with rising interest rates poses a new set of challenges for premium property in Dubai Dubai’s premium market ...

Outlook for Dubai Real Estate

Experts at the Real Estate Forum analysed trends disrupting the property market in the coming year Despite the multitude of challenges that have faced the market in recent years, Dubai’s real ...

Laying the tracks

How investment in rail is transforming mobility in the Middle East The story of rail could not differ more across the region. In North Africa, nations including Algeria, Morocco and Egypt ...

Ras al-Khaimah: Competitive Horizons

Experts at the Business Leaders Forum analysed the trends supporting Ras al-Khaimah’s position as a real estate and tourism investment destination Although the surprise announcement in early 2022 of the estimated ...

Dubai plans a lasting legacy for Expo 2020

When Expo 2020 Dubai closes in April 2021, the site will be converted into a test bed for global innovation Dubai plans to develop a new city on the 4.38 square-kilometre ...

UAE Construction Think Tank recommends adoption of standardised contracts

Standardised construction contracts in the UAE could help to tackle delays and cost overruns on projects UAE construction sector significantly impacted by Covid-19 pandemic Construction industry think tank outlines 26 ...

Oversupply continues to challenge Dubai office market

Supply and demand imbalance is resulting in less office space being built and property owners offering tenants generous incentives Dubai’s office market continues to be oversupplied, resulting in less office space ...