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Reach for the sky in Dubai

25th July 2007 Print
The Princess Tower, Dubai “A skyscraper is a boast in glass and steel.” Mason Cooley, American University Professor. Skyscrapers became possible thanks to two advances in building techniques in the late 19th century. With these fundamentals in place the world set about a race to reach for the skies with Chicago claiming the first. Skylines across the world are now defined and transformed by their skyscrapers but there is one nation that is pushing the boundaries, claiming all the ‘world’s tallest’ titles and that is Dubai.

Skyscrapers became possible thanks to two advances in building techniques in the late 19th century. Firstly the use of steel beams and columns to support the skeleton of a building and secondly the essential invention of Elisha Graves Otis in 1853, a safe elevator that didn’t crash to the ground if the cable snapped. With these fundamentals in place the world set about a race to reach for the skies. Chicago claimed the first skyscraper, the ten storey Home Insurance Building completed in 1885, London and New York swiftly joined in the contest and by the 1930s even Asia and Latin America had jumped on the bandwagon. Skylines across the world are now defined and transformed by their skyscrapers. Now there is one nation that is pushing the boundaries, claiming all the ‘world’s tallest’ titles and that is Dubai.

Dubai is skyscraper obsessive. ‘Business Bay’ – a sort of Canary Wharf-on-sea – symbolically set around Dubai Creek, where the first people of Dubai came to settle will host 500 skyscrapers when complete and be to Dubai as Manhattan is to New York. And then there’s Downtown Burj Dubai, also vying for the global business community, including the Burj Dubai tower speculated to be anywhere between a world record breaking 800 to 900 metres high. The exact dimensions have not been revealed but with 3,000 workers on-site helping it to grow at one storey every three days, we’ll find out soon. Rumour has it that the tower, which will house an Armani Hotel amongst others, is to have a spire that can be added to with ease should any other beastly country come along and build anything taller. Although direct competition will shortly come from within in the shape of the Al Burj, a tower proposed for Dubai Waterfront which is penciled in for 1,200 metres in height and to begin construction later this year.

Whilst the Burj Dubai tower will be of mixed use, accommodating a hotel, office space and apartments, Dubai is also going for the ‘tallest residential building in the world’ record. So confident are they that the 107-storey Princess Tower in Dubai Marina will dwarf the competition that they have already registered the edifice with the Guinness Book of Records. The setting, Dubai Marina, is another world’s best, the world’s largest man-made marina, meticulously designed in Venetian tradition for chic waterfront living, dining and of course mooring at one of the 700 berths. Strategically located at the heart of ‘new Dubai’ on Interchange 5 between Jebel Ali Port and Dubai Media City it will cover 4.9 million square metres and span over 3 kilometres of coastline.

The Princess Tower, those with vertigo need not apply, will offer one, two and three bedroom units with fully fitted and equipped kitchens as well as smart home technology which will operate many appliances remotely. A whole host of on-site amenities include a business centre, his ‘n’ hers gyms and saunas, crèche, coffee shop, restaurant and swimming pool. Prices start from £165,600 with extremely favourable payment terms spread across eleven installments up until completion in 2010. Those with lofty aspirations can also consider the purchase of floor 90 as a single residence. With generous terraces, five bedrooms and bathrooms and a private swimming pool people would certainly look up to you. Price on application.

For further information, visit dreamhomesww.com.

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The Princess Tower, Dubai The Princess Tower, Dubai