Dubai's iconic tower surpasses North Dakota's record, Burj DubaiBurj Dubai is now 629 metres (2,063.6 ft) high

Dubai, UAE; April 7, 2008: Burj DubaiBurj Dubai, the iconic high-rise developed by Dubai-based Emaar PropertiesEmaar Properties PJSC, has surpassed the height of the KVLY-TV mast in North Dakota, USA, to become the world's tallest man-made structure. Burj DubaiBurj Dubai is now 629 metres (2,063.6 ft) high while KVLY-TV, which holds the record for the world's tallest supported structure since 1963, has a height of 628.8 metres (2,063 ft).

Burj DubaiBurj Dubai is already the world's tallest building and tallest free-standing structure, and at 160 storeys, is taller than Taipei 101 (508 metres; 1667 ft) in Taiwan and CN Tower (553.33 metres; 1815.5 ft) in Toronto, Canada. Burj DubaiBurj Dubai is billed to meet all four criteria listed by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), which classifies the world's tallest structures. CTBUH measures the height of buildings to the structural top, the highest occupied floor, the top of the roof and the tip of the spire, pinnacle, antenna, mast or flag pole.

The KVLY-TV mast in Blanchard, North Dakota, is a television transmitting mast, which was completed in 1963. Burj DubaiBurj Dubai also towers over KXJB-TV, which at 628 metres (2,060 ft) was the second tallest artificial structure in the world, and the KXTV/KOVR Tower, a guyed communication tower in Walnut Grove, California, that rises to 624.5 metres (2,049 ft).

Mr Mohamed Ali Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar PropertiesEmaar Properties, said: "EmaarEmaar's Burj DubaiBurj Dubai has accomplished another milestone in its development, placing the city of Dubai and Burj DubaiBurj Dubai once again in the global spotlight. With over 160 storeys now, the most number of liveable floors in any building in the world, Burj DubaiBurj Dubai is already pushing the frontiers in architecture, construction and engineering excellence."

He added: "The significance of Burj DubaiBurj Dubai surpassing the height of the KVLY-TV mast is that it demonstrates the pioneering achievement of mankind in creating urban environments that defy conventions. With over 5,000 professionals and skilled workers from around the world working on site, Burj DubaiBurj Dubai's new feat is another celebration of teamwork."

When completed, Burj DubaiBurj Dubai will have used 330,000 cubic meters of concrete, 39,000 metric tons of steel rebar and 142,000 sq m of glass.

EmaarEmaar is partnering with South Korean construction major Samsung Corporation and New York-based Project Manager Turner Construction in constructing Burj DubaiBurj Dubai, which was designed by Adrian Smith and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill of Chicago.

Burj DubaiBurj Dubai, the centerpiece of EmaarEmaar's flagship mega-project, the AED 73 billion (US$20 billion) Downtown Burj DubaiBurj Dubai, will feature residences, commercial space and retail space and hospitality elements including the world's first Armani Hotel and Armani Residences.

Downtown Burj DubaiBurj Dubai is regarded as the new centre of Dubai and already has a thriving community of residents. Homes have been handed over to the owners in The Residences and The Old Town. Three hospitality projects - Al Manzil, Qamardeen and The Palace, The Old Town - have opened apart from Souk Al Bahar, a shopping mall inspired by Arabesque architectural elements. The Dubai MallThe Dubai Mall, one of the world's largest shopping and entertainment destinations, is in close proximity to Burj DubaiBurj Dubai and will open later this year.

-Ends-

About EmaarEmaar Properties
Emaar PropertiesEmaar Properties PJSC is one of the world's largest real estate companies and is rapidly evolving to become a global provider of premier lifestyles. Powered by its Vision 2010 to become one of the most valuable companies in the world, EmaarEmaar is charting a new course of growth with a two-pronged strategy of geographical expansion and business segmentation.

EmaarEmaar has highlighted its remarkable global growth by debuting on the Financial Times Global 500 ranking, which provides an annual snapshot of the world's largest companies. EmaarEmaar has been assigned A- and A3 ratings with stable outlook by Standard & Poor's and Moody's Investor Services, respectively.

Replicating its successful business model in Dubai, EmaarEmaar is extending its expertise in creating master-planned communities to international markets. EmaarEmaar is also developing new competencies in malls, hospitality & leisure, education, healthcare and financial services, which have evolved from its integrated approach to customer service and property development.

Listed on the Dubai Financial Market, part of the Dow Jones Arabia Titans Index and certified to ISO9001:2000 for quality standards, EmaarEmaar is developing Burj DubaiBurj Dubai, the world's tallest building and free-standing structure, and The Dubai MallThe Dubai Mall, one of the world's largest shopping and entertainment destinations. In Saudi Arabia, EmaarEmaar is developing the US$26.6 billion King Abdullah Economic City, the region's largest private sector-led project. EmaarEmaar's portfolio currently covers the following countries: the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Morocco, Egypt, Turkey, Libya, Algeria, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, the US, the UK, France and Canada.

An award-winning developer, EmaarEmaar has strengthened its product sale competencies, market reach and best practices through strategic acquisitions and joint ventures. EmaarEmaar acquired John Laing Homes, America's second largest privately held home builder; Hamptons International, UK's premier realtor; and formed a joint venture with US-based Turner International to strengthen execution capabilities.

EmaarEmaar has joined hands with Giorgio Armani and Accor Hotels to strengthen its presence in hospitality, and will launch ten luxury Armani Hotels & Resorts world-wide and 100 Formule 1 budget hotels in India. The company is opening educational institutions and healthcare centres in South Asia, Middle East and North Africa and the Subcontinent. EmaarEmaar acquired Singapore-based leading education provider, Raffles Campus, to extend expertise to its educational institutions.

EmaarEmaar holds 30 per cent equity in Dubai Bank, focused on retail and commercial banking. EmaarEmaar is also the largest shareholder in Amlak Finance, UAE's leading Islamic home financing company. For more information, visit www.emaar.com.

For further information, please contact:
Kelly Home
Nivine William
ASDA'A Public Relations
Exclusive Affiliate of Edelman PR Worldwide in Middle East & North Africa
Tel: (+971 4) 334 4550;
Fax: (+971 4) 3344 556
E-mail: k.home@asdaa.com,
E-mail: n.william@asdaa.com

© Press Release 2008


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