Jeddah, December 30, 2008: Burj DubaiBurj Dubai, the world's tallest building developed by Emaar PropertiesEmaar Properties, set several global milestones in high-rise construction in 2008, an epoch-making year for the tower. On course to open in 2009, Burj DubaiBurj Dubai has reached a record 780 metres (2,559 ft) height, and has over 160 storeys, the most number of floors in any building.

In 2008, Burj DubaiBurj Dubai achieved the distinction of being the world's tallest structure surpassing the KVLY-TV mast (628.8 metres; 2,063 ft) in North Dakota, USA. The tower is already taller than Taipei 101 in Taiwan, which at 508 metres (1,667 ft) has held the tallest-building-in-the-world title since it opened in 2004. Burj DubaiBurj Dubai also surpassed the 31-year-old record of CN Tower, which at 553.33 metres (1,815.5 ft) has been the world's tallest free-standing structure on land since 1976.

Mr Ahmad Al Matrooshi, Managing Director - UAE, Emaar PropertiesEmaar Properties, said: "This has been a landmark year for Burj DubaiBurj Dubai, as it consolidated its global leading position in the construction of high-rises. Every aspect of Burj DubaiBurj Dubai, now, is a world-first, and highlights the new aspects of construction technology employed for the tower."

A mixed-use tower, Burj DubaiBurj Dubai will have residences and commercial spaces apart from The Armani Hotel Dubai, and Armani Residences, luxury hospitality ventures by EmaarEmaar in association with haute couture major Giorgio Armani S.p.A. Burj DubaiBurj Dubai will also have recreational facilities and entertainment venues including four luxurious pools and a cigar club, a library, exclusive residents' lounge, serviced residences, 15,000 sq ft of fitness facilities and a public observatory on level 124.

When completed next year, Burj DubaiBurj Dubai will 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.

Designed by Chicago-based Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), Burj DubaiBurj Dubai is constructed by high-rise experts South Korea's Samsung Corporation. Turner Construction International is the project and construction manager.

Currently, some 8,500 professionals and skilled workers are employed on-site at Burj DubaiBurj Dubai. Cladding work is nearing completion and work on interiors, spire and other support systems is progressing.

Mr Matrooshi added: "Burj DubaiBurj Dubai also positioned Dubai in the global spotlight, and several plans are currently underway to mark the opening of the tower in 2009. This includes our exclusive publishing contract with Kraken Opus, a leading publisher, to create the Burj DubaiBurj Dubai Opus, a definitive account charting the creation of the iconic tower."

The Burj DubaiBurj Dubai Opus will showcase the various facets of developing Burj DubaiBurj Dubai, featuring exclusive content and never-before-seen photography. The flagship book will be housed within Burj DubaiBurj Dubai for public display following the opening of the tower in 2009.

Burj DubaiBurj Dubai anchors EmaarEmaar's flagship mega-project, the AED 73 billion (US$20 billion) Downtown Burj DubaiBurj Dubai. Described as the new heart of the city, Downtown Burj DubaiBurj Dubai is a mixed-use neighbourhood with premium hotels, exclusive business facilities, modern residences, shopping malls and leisure facilities.

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For more information, please contact:
Bashar Kharbat
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
Jeddah
Tel: 00966 2 6575194
E-mail: b.kharbat@asdaa.com

© Press Release 2008