Construction on what could be the world’s second-tallest building has been greenlit in Dubai.
The Burj Azizi, if completed in time, would be just over 300 feet shorter than the Burj Khalifa, which is also in Dubai.
Newsweek contacted Azizi for more information on the construction process via email.
Why It Matters
Though it has been the tallest building in the world for many years, the Burj Khalifa could lose its crown by the end of the decade, with several competitors entering the construction process. The Burj Azizi is one of the closest of these competitors to the Burj Khalifa in terms of geography—both buildings will be visible to each other.
What To Know
The Burj Azizi received approval on its height on February 18, according to Construction Review, with the tower being confirmed as 2,379 feet.
If built today, this would make the tower the second-tallest building in the world, with the Burj Khalifa being 2,722 feet tall. However, the Azizi’s 2028 completion date makes things a bit more complicated.
The Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia, which aims to be over 3,000 feet, also has a 2028 completion date. Despite delays, it has a several-year head start on the Azizi, with one-third of the structure already completed.
AZIZI
This means that if the Jeddah Tower is completed first, the Azizi will be the third-largest building in the world—running against much of its promotional material.
While an exact timeline has not yet been confirmed by constructors, the cost is estimated to be around 6 billion dirham, or $1.6 billion.
The 130-floor tower will be home to a “seven-star” hotel that claims to have the highest hotel rooms in the world. It will also feature a multi-story observation deck on the higher floors.
What People Are Saying
Mirwais Azizi, founder and chairman of Azizi Developments, said in a statement in January: “I am delighted to welcome the first group of international students to visit Burj Azizi and its construction. This is part of our effort to show to the world what Dubai has to offer in engineering and architectural excellence.
“Dubai today is number one in the world on many fronts—security, services, economic opportunity, family life and more. On top of all this, Dubai is also a world leader in architecture and engineering. I am glad we are able to share our achievements with the future generation of engineers from around the world.”
What Happens Next
Construction on the Burj Azizi is set to finish by 2028. It is not yet clear if it will be completed before the Jeddah Tower.
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