With a proposed built-up area of almost 7 million square feet, the tower will include 724 apartments and associated leisure and entertainment facilities. The structure will comprise a cluster of three towers joined by six sky-bridges.

Once designs are complete the project is expected to be fast-tracked to ensure all work on the Palm is finished by 2007. The client, the local Nakheel, has also indicated that it is planning to build an even taller tower on Palm Jebel Ali.

The US' Kellogg Brown & Root (KBR)is providing project management oversight services on Palm Jumeirah. The US' Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB)is project manager for the infrastructure works while Turner Construction International, also of the US, is project manager for the shoreline apartments (MEED 8:10:04).

Although yet to be officially unveiled, the Pinnacle looks set to compete with the Burj Dubai as the world's tallest building. A three-strong joint venture of South Korea's Samsung Corporation, the Belgian Besix and the local Arabtec Construction began construction on 1 January on the Burj Dubai tower for local property developer Emaar Properties. The project, scheduled for completion by 2008, involves the construction of a tower more than 700 metres high.