by Esther Howard
After it recently broke the world’s record for highest observation deck, Dubai is moving to its next ambitious goal – building the world’s new tallest twin towers. The two massive buildings will be called Dubai Twin Towers and they will be part of the Dubai Creek Harbour project.
Dubai, the largest city in the United Arab Emirates with the most tallest and modern high-rises buildings. The iconic Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in Dubai, soaring to a height of 828 meters (2,717 ft) with 163 floors. Since its completion in January 2010, the Burj Khalifa has held the records for being the world’s tallest building and tallest man-made structure in the world.
The second-tallest building in Dubai is Marina 101, reaching a height of 425 meters (1,394 ft). It also claims the title of the world’s fourth tallest residential skyscraper. Dubai’s skyscrapers are predominantly clustered in three areas: along E 11 Road, the Dubai Marina neighborhood, and the Business Bay district.
The history of skyscrapers in Dubai began with the construction of the Dubai World Trade Centre in 1979, which was the city’s first high-rise and the tallest building in the Middle East at the time. Since 1999, Dubai has experienced a remarkable boom in skyscraper construction, with all 73 buildings taller than 200 meters (656 ft) completed after that year.
In a relatively short span, Dubai has amassed one of the world’s largest skylines, including the tallest building, tallest residence, and second tallest hotel. As of 2019, there were 49 new skyscrapers under construction in Dubai, with over 127 high-rise developments proposed for the future.
Dubai Holding and Emaar Properties signed a joint venture agreement on Monday to develop a waterfront city called The Lagoons in Dubai. The new development will be spread across six million square metres and will be situated in the Mohammed Bin Rashid City. The project will include the Dubai Twin towers, a mixed-use development that will add to the existing skyline of the city, officials said.
The fully integrated community will also feature a central business district, an entrepreneurial zone, cultural amenities, residences, premium and affordable luxury hotels, educational facilities, healthcare centres, a waterfront shopping mall and a wide range of leisure choices.
All these components of the development are designed as inter-connected districts around waterfronts and green boulevards. The development, which is three times the size of Downtown Dubai, is in line with the growth goals of the city.
The project stretches from the banks of Dubai Creek, through central parcels of land linked to Al Khail Road and across Ras Al Khor. The Lagoons will also have a pedestrian friendly neighbourhood and will be supported by several sustainable transport modes including a direct link with Dubai Metro’s red and green lines, an eco-tram system, a light monorail and water taxis.
“As the city further underlines its credentials as a global hub by welcoming professionals and entrepreneurs from around the world, and led by the Dubai Tourism Vision to record 20 million visitors by the turn of the decade, it is important to continue to build our world-class infrastructure to meet future needs,” Mohamed Alabbar, chairman of Emaar Properties and Ahmad Bin Byat, CEO of Dubai Holding said in a joint statement.
“The project, which will be a new catalyst for growth and create robust opportunities for commerce and entrepreneurship, will set new benchmarks in urban development, with its focus on the tech-savvy and connected youth population who are taking centrestage in driving Dubai’s impressive growth.”
The Dubai Creek Harbour will be a big project and it will be located in the The Lagoons. It is planned to be three times the size of Dubai Downtown and to feature over 20 hotels, and nearly 40,000 homes. In addition, Dubai Creek Harbour will cover an area of 6 million square meters.
Also, the project will be very eco-friendly, since it will have green open parks, integrated systems of transportation, as well as sustainable ecosystems. People, living in Dubai Creek Harbour will also enjoy access to healthcare centres, cultural facilities, retail area, educational facilities, pedestrian walkways and others.
Dubai Twin Towers will be the main focus of the project and all other building will be centered around it. The two buildings will be mixed-use and are said to become the tallest twin towers in the world. Nevertheless, there is still no information on when their construction will start.
There is also no word on the actual height of the record-breaking towers. However, in order for Dubai Twin Towers to actually become the tallest twin towers in the world they should be taller than the current record holder – Malaysia’s Petronas Twin Towers. Their height is estimated at 451.9 meters (1,483 feet) and until 2004 were also regarded as the world’s tallest buildings.
Another interesting fact is that currently the second and the third tallest twin towers in the world are also located in Dubai. These are Emirates Park Towers (395 meters) and Emirates Towers (354 meters). Therefore, one Dubai Twin Towers are constructed, the emirate will dominate the top 5 list of the world’s tallest twin buildings.
The first phase of Dubai Creek Harbour is called Dubai Creek Residences. It will kick off this year on November 1, when the project’s developer will announce 350 apartments in another set of smaller towers for sale. Dubai Creek Residences will basically consists of six towers.
Sales events dedicated to the launch of the first phase of the massive project will be organized not only in Dubai, but also in Abu Dhabi, Moscow and London on November 1.