Dubai: A new tower combining Islamic and modern architecture will soon be rising on the shores of the Dubai Creek.
On Saturday, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, approved the engineering design of the yet-to-be-named tower, which will be built by Emaar.
Shaikh Mohammad, accompanied by Mohammad Ali Al Abbar, Chairman of Emaar, and Fadel Al Ali, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Holding, visited an exhibition at Burj Khalifa in which six global consultancy-engineering companies were competing for the new tower’s design. Shaikh Mohammad reviewed the engineering designs and approved a design by the renowned Spanish designer the Santiago Calatrava Valls, who is also credited with works including the World Trade Centre Transportation Hub in New York, Chicago Spire Tower, Calgary Peace Bridge and the Olympic Sports Complex in Athens, among others.
The new tower is designed to become a monument and cultural and tourist landmark combining Islamic architecture and modern design, Al Abbar said.
The new building, which will be an observation tower, will be linked to the central island district of Dubai Creek Harbour, on integrated development on the Dubai Creek. What will be offered inside the tower has yet to be released.
According to a statement on WAM, the design will reflect Islamic architecture and the UAE’s rich culture and heritage.
Shaikh Mohammad lauded the idea of the new tower and its building at one of the most important historical sites, which is expected to be a major tourist destination once complete.
“The sustainable development is pressing ahead steadily as we planned before and we will continue until achieving our aims and our people’s aspirations,” Shaikh Mohammad said.
Shaikh Mohammad described the tower as a unique architectural masterpiece on a par with Burj Khalifa and Eiffel Tower.
Al Abbar thanked Shaikh Mohammad for his continuous support and confidence in Emaar’s projects, which will “propel our company toward more success and boost the national economy, as well as contribute to developing smart cites.”
“The new tower is designed in Dubai creek to become a monument and cultural and tourist landmark combing Islamic architecture and modern design. It will be unique in its design to stand as an iconic building that reflect cultural diversity,” Al Abbar said.
The work on the tower will begin over the next few weeks and its height will be announced later, he added.
