Local developer Emaar Properties is understood to be reconsidering its options for the delivery of the raft foundation for the world’s tallest building in Dubai.

The local/UK Dutco Balfour Beatty (DBB) had previously been selected for the work.

Emaar is also negotiating with contractors for the contract to complete the superstructure for the project, which is known as The Tower at Dubai Creek Harbour.

Two groups submitted bids for the contract in November. They are a joint venture of Lebanon’s Arabian Construction Company (ACC) and Lebanon’s Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC), and a joint venture of South Korea’s Samsung C+T and the local/Belgian Belhasa Six Construct.

The superstructure comprises three key elements. They are: a concrete core, a steel frame structure on top of the concrete core, and cables descending down from the tower to the ground.

France’s Soletanche Bachy is understood to be in the final stages of the piling works. The tower is designed by Spanish/Swiss architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava Valls. Calatrava is working with the local office of Aurecon as the consultant, supported by the UK’s RMJM. The project manager for the tower is US-based Parsons.

On 10 October last year, Dubai officially confirmed the tower will be the world’s tallest tower when it is completed in 2020. The final height has not been disclosed. To become the world’s tallest tower, it will have to be more than 1,008 metres in height, which is the expected height of the under-construction Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia.