Burj Dubai now tallest man-made structure built by Samsung

Burj Dubai has become the world's tallest man-made structure after surpassing the height of the KVLY-TV mast in the United States, the tower's developer Emaar announced yesterday.

Burj Dubai is now 629 metres (2,063.6ft) high while KVLY-TV, in Dakota, which held the record for the world's tallest supported structure since 1963, has a height of 628.8 metres (2,063ft).

Burj Dubai was already the world's tallest building and tallest free-standing structure. Now standing at 160 storeys it is taller than Taipei 101 (508 metres; 1667ft) in Taiwan and CN Tower (553.33 metres; 1815.5ft) in Toronto, Canada.

Mohamed Ali Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties, said: "Emaar's Burj Dubai has accomplished another milestone in its development, placing the city of Dubai and Burj 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 Dubai is already pushing the frontiers in architecture, construction and engineering excellence."

He added: "The significance of Burj 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 Dubai's new feat is another celebration of teamwork." Burj 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.

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

The glass facade continues to extend up the length of the tower and when completed, more than 22,000 panels will reflect Dubai.

Burj Dubai is known as Tower of Dubai
Built: 2004-2009
Cost: US$900,000,000.00
Designed by: Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill
Type: Skyscraper
Stories: 189
Maximum height: 2683 feet / 818 meters
Location: No. 1, Burj Dubai Boulevard, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

> The building was designed by Adrian Smith.

> The building was commissioned by Emaar Properties.

> The foundation is made up of 192 concrete and steel pilings more than 164 feet (50 meters) deep. They are joined by a 12-foot-thick raft upon which the skyscraper rests.

> 45,000 cubic meters of concrete was used in the foundation.

> The hotel in the Burj Dubai is going to be an Armani-branded hotel. In keeping with Islamic custom it will have separate hours for women and men at the pool.

> The footprint of this building is in the shape of a hymenocallis, a desert flower native to the area.

> January, 2004 - Construction begins.

> 20 September, 2004 - The first concrete is poured for the foundation.

> 26 June, 2005 - Gulf News reports that the estimated total cost for the Burj Dubai complex rises to US$5,500,000,000.

> 16 July, 2005 - Construction Week magazine reports that the designers of the Burj Dubai are reconsidering their decision to use stainless steel on the exterior of the tower because prices have jumped from US$400 a ton to $2,200 in just two years.

> March 23, 2006 - The Associated Press reports that 2,500 construction workers rioted because of low pay and poor treatment doing an estimated US$1,000,000 damage. Thousands of construction workers at other Dubai projects also went on a sympathy strike.

> April 16, 2006 - AME Info reports that the Burj Dubai is going to be at least 200 stories tall.

> September 1, 2006 - Construction reaches 70 stories.

> October 1, 2006 - Construction reaches 75 stories.

> October 31, 2006 - Construction reaches 80 stores and 850 feet / 259 meters. That height makes it taller than the tallest building in Europe.

> October 1, 2006 - Construction reaches 75 stories.

> October 31, 2006 - Construction reaches 80 stores and 850 feet / 259 meters. That height makes it taller than the tallest building in Europe.

> November 11, 2006 - ITPBusiness reports that construction of the tower is being delayed by a shortage of exterior cladding material.

> January 16, 2007 - Construction reaches 100 stories.

> > April 6, 2007 - The Burj Dubai reaches a record-breaking 120 stories.

> August 29, 2007 - The Burj Dubai passes the CN Tower in height, making it the world's tallest free-standing structure.

> December 30, 2008 - The original anticipated completion date.

> June 30, 2009 - Current anticipated completion date.

Other Gulf states are reportedly considering joining the race to build the world’s tallest building. Saudi Arabia is planning a mile-high (1,600m) tower in Jeddah, according to the London-based Middle East Economic Digest

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