Posted on 01/17/2007 12:35:41 AM PST by MinorityRepublican
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The Burj Dubai skyscraper under construction here reached its 100th story on Tuesday, nearly two-thirds of the way in its relentless climb to become the world's tallest building.
With 3,000 laborers adding a new floor nearly every three days, the $1 billion spire is at 1,140 feet and days away from surpassing a neighboring skyscraper, the razor-blade resembling Emirates Office Tower, at 1,165 feet. The Emirates Office Tower is currently the tallest in the Middle East, Dubai-based developer Emaar Properties said.
"The tower is a symbol of the city's pride and a statement of our arrival on the global scene as one of the world-class cities," Emaar chairman Mohammed Ali Alabbar said.
When finished in two years, the silvery steel-and-glass building is expected to rise beyond 2,300 feet and more than 160 floors — dozens of stories taller than the world's current tallest building, the Taipei 101 tower in Taiwan, which measures 1,671 feet and 101 floors.
It will also top the world's tallest freestanding structure, Toronto's CN Tower, which stands 1,815 feet.
The tallest building in the United States, the Sears Tower in Chicago, comes in at 1,451 feet, while the Empire State Building measures 1,250 feet. Before they were destroyed in the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the World Trade Center towers both topped 1,360 feet. The Freedom Tower being planned for the site will measure 1,776 feet when it's completed in 2011.
Emaar isn't releasing its plans for the final height of the Burj Dubai so it can add more stories if a competing developer mounts a challenge. Predictions on skyscraper websites say the cylindrical Burj, which was designed by American architect Adrian Smith, will eventually loom over the city from a height of 2,600 feet or more.
(Excerpt) Read more at stltoday.com ...
Even today, only 10% of their revenue comes from oil. And I'd say they have a general commerce strategy that includes all sorts of businesses, rather than just tourism.
bump
That should be fun. At least English is widely spoken. I hope you do not get too homesick though.
His genius never fails to amaze me. I bet The Illinois does get built some day.
It is only for 1 year.
It would be better if it was two years. Because by then you'll get really comfortable in Dubai.
OK. Yikes!
LOL!!
It would be better if it was two years. Because by then you'll get really comfortable in Dubai and you'll know the area much better.
Wow. How many stories are they predicting there will be?
Wouldn't it be easier... 
to stay in Texas and just root for the Cowboys?
Bump.
Bump.
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