Is Dubai's Burj Khalifa about to lose its crown? Abandoned skyscraper's comeback could reshape the skyline
Dubai's long-abandoned $1 billion project, the Dubai Creek Tower, is stirring back to life. Once envisioned to surpass Burj Khalifa at 1,300 metres, the tower's construction halted in 2018. Now, with a redesigned blueprint and scaled-down height, it may no longer be the tallest, but its resurrection still fuels Dubai's race to dominate the world skyline. (Image: X/Aamir Yousuf) Dubai, a city where the skyline never sleeps and architectural ambition knows no bounds, might soon witness a monumental reshuffle in its race to the heavens. For years, the towering Burj Khalifa—standing at a dizzying 830 metres—has reigned supreme as the tallest structure on Earth, symbolizing Dubai's glittering promise of wealth, imagination, and engineering marvel. But lurking in the shadows is a long-forgotten, billion-dollar contender that once aimed to shatter every record.
— XTravelMyWay (@XTravelMyWay)
First unveiled in 2016 with grandiose ambition and a jaw-dropping $1 billion investment, the Dubai Creek Tower was not just another high-rise. Designed by famed Spanish-Swiss architect Santiago Calatrava, the structure was envisioned as a 1,300-metre-high masterpiece inspired by Islamic minarets. It was to be the crown jewel of Dubai Creek Harbour—a new-age marvel with sky gardens, 10 observation decks, and a luxury hotel perched among the clouds.
It promised an experience higher, grander, and more futuristic than anything the Burj Khalifa offered. With its striking silhouette and poetic architectural intent, it was heralded as the future of Dubai's vertical dream. But by 2018, the dream began to crumble. Progress halted. The pandemic only deepened the silence around the project. By early 2019, even the construction staging areas lay abandoned—just a massive foundation pit in the desert where greatness once aimed to grow.
Fast forward to 2024, and Emaar Properties—the developers behind the tower and the Burj Khalifa—have announced plans to revisit the dormant giant. This time, however, there's a twist. The redesign reportedly scales down the height, meaning the revised tower may no longer aim to surpass the Burj Khalifa. Official blueprints have not been made public yet, and while there's talk of renewed ambition, physical construction remains absent. In essence, the tower is alive on paper—but still asleep in reality.
The question now gripping architecture buffs and Dubai-watchers alike: will it ever rise to challenge its older sibling, or will it remain a mirage in the city's ambitious skyline?While the Dubai Creek Tower remains in limbo, the wider Dubai Creek Harbour project has quietly made progress. Residential blocks now line the banks of the historic 14-kilometre waterway, and public infrastructure has begun transforming the area into a modern urban oasis. But without its signature skyscraper, the heart of the development still beats with a question mark. Dubai has always sold dreams in steel and glass, and its skyline is a testament to that. Whether or not Dubai Creek Tower rises from the ashes of abandonment, its story speaks volumes about the city's relentless pursuit of architectural immortality—and the high stakes that come with it. For now, the Burj Khalifa remains unchallenged. But in a city where anything is possible, even a sleeping titan may awaken.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
Adani Group's Cement Business Contributes To 30% Of India's Homes: Ambuja Cement CEO
New Delhi: Adani Group firm Ambuja Cements -- the second largest cement producer in the country -- contributes to nearly 30 per cent of the cement used for India's homes and infrastructure, the company said in its latest annual report. Ambuja Cements, which has crossed 100 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum) capacity in FY25 in a record time, mainly through acquisitions, now aims to reach 118 MTPA by FY 2026 and 140 MTPA by FY 2028, primarily through brownfield expansion projects. "Ambuja Cements, now a core part of the Adani Group's cement business, contributes to nearly 30 per cent of India's homes and infrastructure. This is a story of resilience fuelled by a growth mindset -- a journey that marries legacy with innovation and is inspired by a clear and purposeful vision," said its CEO Vinod Bahety, while addressing the shareholders. This is a story of "resilience fuelled by a growth mindset" and is inspired by a clear and purposeful vision and testament to the focused execution, agility, and ambition that define our transformation. "A key catalyst behind this success has been our series of efficient and timely acquisitions, each completed with precision and synergy. Alongside inorganic growth, our organic expansion projects continue to gain strong momentum across the country, bringing us closer to our ambitious long-term target of reaching 140 MTPA by 2028," he said. In FY24, Ambuja crossed the milestone of 100 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of consolidated cement capacity, becoming the ninth largest cement company globally. Adani Group is a new entrant in the cement sector. It jumped into the cement sector in September 2022, after acquiring controlling stakes in Ambuja Cement from Swiss firm Holcim for cash proceeds of USD 6.4 billion (about Rs 51,000 crore). Later, Ambuja Cements, which owns a 51 per cent stake in ACC Ltd, pursued inorganic growth, acquiring small companies as Hyderabad-based Penna Cement and Saurastra-based Sanghi Industries. Earlier this year, it also acquired Orient Cement from CK Birla group. "Having achieved nearly 50 per cent growth in just 30 months, our roadmap is clear: reaching 118 MTPA by FY26 and 140 MTPA by FY28, primarily through brownfield expansion projects," it said. In FY26, Ambuja Cement has target of commissioning clinker and grinding units across strategic locations such as Bhatapara, Sankrail, Sindri, Salai-Banwa, Dahej, Marwar, Kalamboli, Krishnapatanam, Bathinda, Jodhpur, Maratha, and Warisaliganj. "These projects are progressing well, with significant civil and equipment work underway," he said, adding, "Looking beyond FY26, nine additional grinding unit projects are already underway, all aligned with our vision to reach 140 MTPA by FY 2028." In FY25, Adani group's annual sales volume reached 65.2 million tonnes and its revenue stood at Rs 35,045 crore with a profit after tax of Rs 5,158 crore. "Our strong balance sheet, marked by a debt-free status, underscores our prudent capital allocation and financial discipline," said Bahety. Besides, Ambuja Cement is also working on cost optimisation, which according to Bahety remains a cornerstone of our strategy, enabling it to maintain competitiveness and enhance margins amid challenging market conditions. The company has substantially reduced its logistics cost through setups such as seaborne transport. According to Cement Manufacturers' Association, the logistics costs for the industry can go as high as 30-35 per cent. "By shifting a significant portion of our freight to seaborne transport, optimising depot locations, and leveraging GPWIS (General Purpose Wagon Inward System) and BCFC (Bulk Cement Freight Consortium) rakes, we have achieved a 6 per cent reduction in logistics costs to date," he said, adding, "Our ongoing initiatives aim for a further 15 per cent reduction in logistics costs by FY30, reflecting our continuous drive for operational efficiency." Besides, it aims for 60 per cent of its future cement capacity and 83 per cent of clinker operations to be powered by green energy. The company is also quite bullish about the growth prospects of the Indian cement industry, where its expects a "significant" growth, driven by infrastructure projects and urban development. "Installed capacity is expected to reach 850 million tonnes per annum by 2030 and 1,350 million tonnes by 2050," it said. The Indian cement market is led by Aditya Birla Group firm UltraTech Cement Ltd, which has a consolidated capacity of 183.06 MTPA. It is also expanding its capacity through acquisitions and capacity enhancement as it faces competition from billionaire Gautam Adani-led Adani Group's Ambuja Cement. It has recently acquired India Cements, Kesoram Industries' cement business and UAE-based RAKWCT. Besides, it acquired a minority stake of 8.69 per cent from the promoters of Meghalaya-based Star Cement.
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Iran says no sanctions relief in US nuclear proposal
Iran's parliament speaker said on Sunday that the latest US proposal for a nuclear deal does not include the lifting of sanctions, state media reported as negotiations appear to have hit a roadblock. The two foes have held five rounds of Omani-mediated talks since April, seeking to replace a landmark agreement between Tehran and world powers that set restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities in return for sanctions relief, before US President Donald Trump abandoned the accord during his first term in 2018. In a video aired on Iranian state TV, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said that "the US plan does not even mention the lifting of sanctions". He called it a sign of dishonesty, accusing the Americans of seeking to impose a "unilateral" agreement that Tehran would not accept. "The delusional US president should know better and change his approach if he is really looking for a deal," Ghalibaf said. On May 31, after the fifth round of talks, Iran said it had received "elements" of a US proposal, with officials later taking issue with "ambiguities" in the draft text. The US and its Western allies have long accused the Islamic republic of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, a charge Iran has consistently denied, insisting that its atomic programme was solely for peaceful purposes. Key issues in the negotiations have been the removal of biting economic sanctions and uranium enrichment. Tehran says it has the right to enrich uranium under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, while the Trump administration has called any Iranian enrichment a "red line". Trump, who has revived his "maximum pressure" campaign of sanction on Iran since taking office in January, has repeatedly said it will not be allowed any uranium enrichment under a potential deal. On Tuesday, Iran's top negotiator, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, said the country "will not ask anyone for permission to continue enriching uranium". According to the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency , Iran is the only non-nuclear-weapon state in the world that enriches uranium up to 60 percent still short of the 90 percent threshold needed for a nuclear warhead. Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday rejected the latest US proposal and said enrichment was "key" to Iran's nuclear programme. The IAEA Board of Governors is scheduled to meet in Vienna later this month and discuss Iran's nuclear activities. pdm/ami
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
Is Dubai's Burj Khalifa about to lose its crown? Abandoned skyscraper's comeback could reshape the skyline
Dubai, a city where the skyline never sleeps and architectural ambition knows no bounds, might soon witness a monumental reshuffle in its race to the heavens. For years, the towering Burj Khalifa—standing at a dizzying 830 metres—has reigned supreme as the tallest structure on Earth, symbolizing Dubai's glittering promise of wealth, imagination, and engineering marvel. But lurking in the shadows is a long-forgotten, billion-dollar contender that once aimed to shatter every record. — XTravelMyWay (@XTravelMyWay) The Rise, Fall, and Possible Rise Again of Dubai Creek Tower First unveiled in 2016 with grandiose ambition and a jaw-dropping $1 billion investment, the Dubai Creek Tower was not just another high-rise. Designed by famed Spanish-Swiss architect Santiago Calatrava, the structure was envisioned as a 1,300-metre-high masterpiece inspired by Islamic minarets. It was to be the crown jewel of Dubai Creek Harbour—a new-age marvel with sky gardens, 10 observation decks, and a luxury hotel perched among the clouds. It promised an experience higher, grander, and more futuristic than anything the Burj Khalifa offered. With its striking silhouette and poetic architectural intent, it was heralded as the future of Dubai's vertical dream. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Canada is looking for skilled immigrants - New job opportunities are waiting for you! Canada Immigration Express Apply Now But by 2018, the dream began to crumble. Progress halted. The pandemic only deepened the silence around the project. By early 2019, even the construction staging areas lay abandoned—just a massive foundation pit in the desert where greatness once aimed to grow. New Hope in a Changed Vision Fast forward to 2024, and Emaar Properties—the developers behind the tower and the Burj Khalifa—have announced plans to revisit the dormant giant. This time, however, there's a twist. The redesign reportedly scales down the height, meaning the revised tower may no longer aim to surpass the Burj Khalifa. Official blueprints have not been made public yet, and while there's talk of renewed ambition, physical construction remains absent. In essence, the tower is alive on paper—but still asleep in reality. You Might Also Like: Trump Organization plans skyscraper development in Ho Chi Minh City as Eric Trump visits Vietnam The question now gripping architecture buffs and Dubai-watchers alike: will it ever rise to challenge its older sibling, or will it remain a mirage in the city's ambitious skyline? While the Dubai Creek Tower remains in limbo, the wider Dubai Creek Harbour project has quietly made progress. Residential blocks now line the banks of the historic 14-kilometre waterway, and public infrastructure has begun transforming the area into a modern urban oasis. But without its signature skyscraper, the heart of the development still beats with a question mark. A Battle of Icons or a Legacy Left Behind? Dubai has always sold dreams in steel and glass, and its skyline is a testament to that. Whether or not Dubai Creek Tower rises from the ashes of abandonment, its story speaks volumes about the city's relentless pursuit of architectural immortality—and the high stakes that come with it. For now, the Burj Khalifa remains unchallenged. But in a city where anything is possible, even a sleeping titan may awaken. You Might Also Like: Digital detox tourism trend: Why travelers are now paying to have their phones taken away?
