Tenders for super-tall tower expected by year-end

08 July 2013

DMCC to build world’s highest commercial tower in Dubai

The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) plans to issue tenders before the end of 2013 for construction of the world’s tallest commercial tower, to be built in the Jumeirah Lakes Towers community of Dubai.

DMCC has earmarked a plot of land in the southwest corner of JLT to build a business park that will include a supertall tower that may end up being higher than the Burj Khalifa, currently the world’s tallest building, says Ahmed bin Sulayem, executive chairman of DMCC.

The height of the new tower will be kept a secret until the grand opening of the building, says Bin Sulayem, who adds that demand from potential tenants could lead to the height of the building being adjusted upward during the building phase. “We will build it as high as the market pushes it,’ he says.

Bin Sulayem emphasised that besides helping to meet growing demand for office space in JLT, the new tower will be a key selling point in Dubai’s efforts to gain the winning bid for the World Expo 2020, especially given the multi-national nature of the DMCC.

Designs for the tower are still being finalised, but it is likely only a few contractors would be prequalified to bid for the construction contract if the tower is to be built using steel, he adds.

DMCC has already built a tall tower in JLT, Almas Tower, which stretches 63 stories high. A joint venture of Japan’s Taisei Corporation and Lebanon’s Arabian Construction Company (ACC) was the contractor for that project.

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