Ground Breaks on Santiago Calatrava-Designed “Tower at Dubai Creek Harbor”

Iconic structure will be the world’s tallest tower, once completed in 2020

© Courtesy of Emaar

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (October 11, 2016) – Officials including His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Excellency Mohammad Al Gergawi, Chairman of Dubai Holding, and Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties, and representatives from Micael Calatrava, CEO of Calatrava International broke ground this week on ‘The Tower at Dubai Creek Harbor’, Santiago Calatrava’s iconic landmark structure. The Tower will be the tallest in the world, when completed in 2020, transforming Dubai’s waterfront skyline by combining elegance and beauty with the latest engineering and sustainability features.

The design and architectural features of The Tower demand unique engineering approaches that are currently being implemented on site. Extensive studies were undertaken in preparation for the groundbreaking, and the learning that we have gained from the experience will add to the knowledge base of mankind,” said Santiago Calatrava.

© Santiago Calatrava

The groundbreaking of The Tower is another historic moment for the UAE, as we mark the construction of another icon that will add to the UAE’s civic pride. At the heart of Dubai Creek Harbour, the super-tall structure will create lasting value and serve as one of the must-visit tourist destinations in the city. It celebrates the long-term vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, underlined by the recently announced ‘UAE Strategy for the Future’ to drive the transformational growth of the nation. Our focus is on identifying the needs of the future, and implement sustainable plans that are impactful and make a difference. Dubai Creek Harbour is our investment in our future, and as a centrepoint of this mega-development, The Tower will enhance the reputation of our city and help boost the growth of the economy,” said His Excellency Mohammad Al Gergawi.

The Tower at Dubai Creek Harbor integrates traditional Islamic architecture with cutting-edge design, engineering and sustainability elements. The crowning feature of The Tower at Dubai Creek Harbour will be The Pinnacle Room, offering unprecedented 360-degree views of the city, and several VIP Observation Garden Decks. The tower will have dynamic illumination and movement lighting, which will make it a stunning visual landmark during the day and night. In addition, several “green corridors” will offer pedestrian access and effortless connectivity with Dubai Creek Harbor.

Santiago Calatrava designed the tower with a large focus on energy efficiency and sustainability. The tower will use a highly-efficient cooling system and the water collected from this system will clean the structure’s façade. Elegant landscaping and vegetation will encourage solar protection. An integrated shading system and wing doors will also contribute to energy efficiency.

The structure is designed to include numerous balconies that rotate outside the façade of the tower. There will be a café on one of the three public observation decks and numerous spaces throughout the building can be used for events. The tower’s ground-level Central Plaza will serve as a bustling neighborhood center with world-class retail, a museum, educational facilities, and an indoor auditorium. The Tower at Dubai Creek Harbor also supports the goals of Dubai Plan 2021 to establish the city as a global business and leisure hub and will add real economic value by driving the growth of the core sectors of tourism, hospitality, aviation and retail, among others.

 

Go back