Dubai Plans To Build World’s Tallest Skyscraper, Beating City’s Current Record

Dubai has unveiled plans to construct the world’s tallest skyscraper that will beat the city’s current record, and is inspired by the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

Dubai’s Tallest Building

Emaar Properties in Dubai is behind the plans for the addition to the city’s skyline. Emaar, a government-backed developer, has planned for The Tower to have upper observation decks that will represent the rumored ancient marvel of the Hanging Gardens, reported Forbes.

It is expected that The Tower, designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, will be completed by 2018, and come 2020, will be at the center of the Dubai-hosted World Expo. It will feature multiple panoramic restaurants, a hotel and several mixed-use floors.

“This project envisages an artistic achievement in itself, inspired by the idea of welcoming people, not only from Dubai and the UAE, but from the entire world,” said Calatrava, who also designed the new World Trade Center Transportation Hub in New York City’s Financial District. “It is a symbol of an abiding belief in progress.”

Incidentally, Emaar was also behind the development of the current world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, which stands at 2,717 feet.