10 June 2008
At least nine months more than expected will be needed to be able to admire the world’s tallest skyscraper, Burj Dubai, which already stands out in the heart of the Business Bay. Meanwhile, Emaar, the United Arab Emirates construction giant involved in the building of the skyscraper, announced the construction of a spectacular fountain, among the largest in the world, which will present rhythmic water plays in the lake in front of the imposing building. The opening of the building initially scheduled for December will be postponed to September 2009 “because quality is more important that the date”, Emaar’s chairman Mohammad Ali Alabbar said.
The delay is mainly due to the revision and the change of several architecture elements for obtaining better functionality of the spaces inside the building and to fortuitous circumstances such as the 18 days of suspension of the works last month due to the strong winds or the two-week strike of the workers last year. The completion of Dubai Mall, the world’s largest trade centre linked to Burj, was also delayed because the number of parking spots was increased from 2,000 to 5,000. The mall will be opened together with Burj Dubai. The construction of a 275-metres-long fountain along the lake in front of the skyscraper, whose definitive height still remains top secret, was announced. The water sprays will be shot to heights of over 150 metres – equivalent to that of a 50-storey building – while the water drops will rise to heights of up to three kilometres. The great “water wonder”, which is still unnamed, will cost 140 million euro and will “dance” to Arab, Indian and Western music themes.