The Dubai Creek Tower, first announced in October 2016, has started to rise. However, it still hasn’t reached ground level. The workers are currently busy finishing the foundations.
The Burj Khalifa, constructed by Emaar in 2010, is the world’s tallest building. To set a new world record, the Emaar company has to lay 231 feet of foundation piles, capping each pile with over 1.59 million cubic meters of concrete. When completed, the tower will surpass the Burj.
Dubai Creek Tower vs. Jeddah Tower: The Race for the World’s Tallest Building
Saudi Arabia and Dubai’s tall towers are racing to be the world’s most tallest buildings. The Dubai Creek Tower, a joint venture between Dubai Holding and Emaar Properties, is inspired by mosque minarets and lily flower designs. It features a spacious floor and a 360-degree observation deck. Santiago Calatrava, a Spanish architect, designed the building’s features.
The construction battle between the two countries’ tallest structures is occurring in Saudi Arabia. One of the competing projects is the Jeddah Tower, which is expected to be 237 feet taller than the Dubai Creek Tower when completed. If the UAE’s tower can hold the record briefly, it must complete the project first.
Luckily, the Dubai Creek Tower and the Jeddah Tower are in different architectural categories, which means they can potentially claim world records.
The construction of the Jeddah Tower started in 2013. It received a new impulse in late 2023, so now they can begin to working further to the top. The Jeddah Tower is expected to be the crown jewel of the Jeddah Economic City. This residential and commercial project will feature over 57 million square feet of commercial and residential space, hotels, offices, and tourist attractions.
The developer of the Dubai Creek Tower, Emaar Properties, will not reveal the building’s height until it is officially opened, which will prevent it from being surpassed by other projects.

Dubai Creek Tower: Aiming to Surpass Burj Khalifa as the World’s Tallest Structure
The Dubai Creek Tower was first unveiled in February 2016. During an interview, the son of Santiago Calatrava, the architect who designed the building, said it would be taller than the Burj Khalifa. In June of that year, the chairman of Emaar Properties revealed that the building would be around a hundred meters taller than the Burj Khalifa. Because of this, various news outlets started referring to the tower’s height as 928 meters.
In August 2017, a video in Dubai Mall showed the tower’s height. It was speculated that if 8 Dubai Creek Towers were stacked on each other, they would reach around 11 kilometres, implying that the building would be around 1300 meters tall. The same video also showed that the 5th floor of the Dubai Creek Tower would be equivalent to the height of the Burj Khalifa.
Various cables and anchors support the Dubai Creek Tower, and its height can easily be archived. In the last century, people in the US made several supported structures that reached heights of around 2,000 feet. However, its total height is insufficient to be considered a skyscraper’s maximum.
If the Dubai Creek Tower can reach 1300 meters, it will be taller than the Burj Khalifa and the world’s tallest structure.
Dubai Creek Tower & Creek Harbour | A New Icon in Dubai Real Estate
Although the Dubai Creek Tower is not designed to be habitable, it will be able to surpass the Tokyo Skytree by more than a thousand feet. On the other hand, the Jeddah Tower will feature 167 habitable floors and 85 non-inhabitable ones. The tower will be taller than the Burj Khalifa by over 600 feet when completed.
The city of wonders may yet deliver another magnificent feat. Time will tell. The architectural features of the Dubai Creek Tower were unveiled during a special preview event held in Dubai. The region’s Islamic culture and natural features inspired the building’s design. It will be crowned with The Pinnacle Room, designed to establish the Creek Harbour tower Dubai as a leisure and residential destination.
Emaar Properties today unveiled the architectural and design elements of the Dubai Creek Tower, a glittering new addition to Dubai’s skyline. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE’s Vice President and Ruler, selected the design for the Dubai Creek Tower by Santiago Calatrava, a Swiss-Spanish architect and structural engineer.
The Tower serves as the core of Dubai Creek Harbour, a world-class development about 10 minutes from the Dubai Airport. It’s also near a wildlife sanctuary protected by the UNESCO Ramsar Convention.
According to Mohamed Alabbar, the chairman of Emaar Properties, the Dubai Creek Tower is a tribute to the country’s leadership and the positive energy that the people of Dubai and the UAE display. It’s also a shining example of the country’s futuristic vision and will help enhance its pride.
He noted that Santiago Calatrava selected the design for the Dubai Creek Tower after a competitive pitch by some of the world’s top architects. It was chosen as a landmark to set the tone for the area’s urban core.

New villa in Dubai with a view of the Creek Tower
The Tower is expected to contribute to the long-term economic value of the UAE and Dubai by providing a compelling destination. It will also position Dubai’s Creek Harbour as a popular leisure and residential area. It will feature a modern, luxury environment, allowing residents and visitors to enjoy various activities and experiences.
According to Al Ali, Dubai Holding is proud of its partnership with Emaar Properties and the design of the Tower. The tower will provide a new landmark for Dubai and symbolise the country’s architectural excellence. The unveiling of the Tower’s design is a significant step in developing the Dubai Creek Harbour.
The development will provide a variety of lifestyle choices, making Dubai a more attractive destination. It will also be one of the country’s best tourist and residential areas. Dubai Holding and Emaar are working together to bring this project to life. If you want to invest in a new way of living, here are our new villas for sale in Dubai Creek Harbour.
Santiago Calatrava
Santiago Calatrava said that he and his team were very honoured to be involved in developing the Dubai Creek Tower. He noted that the collaboration with Emaar Properties has made the project even more demanding and exciting. The design for the tower has a clear reference to the area’s past and its culture.
Throughout his career, Calatrava has always regarded technology as a vehicle for art and beauty. The Dubai Creek Tower’s design aims to celebrate the idea of welcoming people from all around the world.
Calatrava has designed numerous notable projects, such as the World Trade Center in New York and the Calgary Peace Bridge. He was also awarded for his work on Malm’s Turning Torso Tower.
Calatrava’s approach to architecture combines various elements, such as structural innovation, environmental benefits, and architectural expression, into one bold and imaginative gesture. He believes that each project should have a distinct sense of place, which can enhance the setting.
Dubai Creek Harbour’s tower is designed inspired by the lily and the minaret, which are prominent features in Islamic culture. The bud’s geometric texture and elongated oval shape set the tone for the observation decks. The slender stem serves as an analogy to the structure’s overall shape.
The structure is linked to the ground using sturdy cables inspired by the delicate design of lily leaves. These components are carefully constructed to provide the necessary strength to anchor the bud to the ground.
360 degrees view on Dubai
The Tower offers guests 360 degrees of the city and beyond. Its signature feature, The Pinnacle Room, will allow them to experience the city’s most amazing views. The observation gardens are designed to recreate the wonder of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Its balconies are fully glazed and can rotate outside the tower’s skin. A world-class hotel will also be available for guests.
The tower’s design will be finalized after comprehensive seismic and wind tunnel testing. All of its components, including the materials used and the technology utilized, will be built to international safety standards. The concerned authorities will follow all of the local government regulations and codes.
The tower’s lighting design will celebrate the structure’s iconic status. It will feature a floating flower bud serving as a beacon of light during the night. The tension cables and structural core will be illuminated with dynamic and gentle movement lighting, enhancing visitors’ experiences and the view from the outside.
The tower’s sustainability features are designed to set industry benchmarks. A tram system that provides an environmentally friendly transportation solution will make its entrance easier. Various green corridors will allow visitors to walk and connect with Dubai Creek Harbour.
Emaar has launched high-end residential projects in Dubai Creek Harbour, such as Creekside 18, The Island District, and Harbour Views. These residences offer exceptional views of the city and Dubai Creek. They also feature a yacht club, a natural bird sanctuary, and Downtown Dubai’s impressive skyline. You will find more information on our page about commercial real estate in Ajman.
The Island District is surrounded by a 4.5km Creek Boardwalk, which provides residents with abundant lifestyle choices. Nearby attractions include galleries, a trendy Vida hotel, and event spaces.



