11 Apr 2016

A new high for Dubai

9:24 am on 11 April 2016

Developers have announced plans to build a new tower in Dubai to surpass the Burj Khalifa, currently the world's tallest building.

Visitors look at a to-scale model of the planned Dubai Emaar Properties tower.

Visitors look at a to-scale model of the planned Dubai Emaar Properties tower. Photo: AFP

Emaar Properties has not announced the height of the proposed tower, saying only that it would be "a notch" taller than the Burj Khalifa's 828m.

The $1 billion project is scheduled to be completed for the Dubai Expo trade fair in 2020.

It is expected to have residential units, a rooftop courtyard and a hotel.

The planned tower was designed by Spanish-Swiss neo-futuristic architect Santiago Calatrava Valls and would be supported by a matrix of cables.

Spanish-Swiss architect Santiago Calatrava Valls speaks to press about plans to build a new tower he designed, even taller than the Burj Khalifa.

Spanish-Swiss architect Santiago Calatrava Valls speaks to press about plans to build a new tower he designed, even taller than the Burj Khalifa. Photo: AFP

The structure's design would means it would be unlikely to be widely recognised as a taller "building" than the Burj Khalifa even if it surpassed it in height, Associated Press reported.

The construction would be the centrepiece of the redevelopment of the Dubai Creek, the heart of old Dubai. It will also have observation decks and restaurants.

The announcement from the government-backed company comes as developers continue to launch new projects amid what experts are saying is a softening real state sector.

Burj Khalifa, also built by Emaar, is expected to be overtaken by the 1km-high Kingdom Tower in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as the world's tallest building in 2020.

- BBC