Burj Dubai record, rival announced

The 160-storey tower, which is already the world's tallest building and tallest free-standing structure, has now surpassed the 628.8 m high KVLY television (TV) mast in North Dakota, US.

The KVLY-TV mast had held the title of world's tallest supported structure since 1963.

Commenting on the record braking achievement, Emaar's chairman Mohamed Ali Alabbar said, "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."

The Burj Dubai will eventually be the tallest structure in the world in all four of the criteria listed by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), according to Emaar.

The CTBUH measures the final height to the structural top, the highest occupied floor, to the top of the roof, and to the tip of the spire, pinnacle, antenna, mast or flag pole, provided they consider this to be an integral part of the overall design.

The final height of the Burj Dubai is currently rumoured to be over 900 m. However, local media said late last year the final height would be 818 m, citing architects drawings posted on the internet.

However, Emaar's triumph may not last long. Rival Dubai developer Nakheel has just announced plans to build a 1200 m high tower on the US$ 61 billion Arabian Canal development.

According to local news agency Arabian News, the project will be designed by Australian architects Woods Bagot.