Project Overview

The Dubai Creek Tower is an under-construction project located in the lands of Dubai Creek. Developed by Emaar Properties, the tower is expected to surpass Burj Khalifa upon its completion.

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The tower will include the world’s tallest observation deck, offering visitors a thrilling 360-degree view of the city and the Arabian Gulf. Out of nearly 10 decks, two are VIP observation garden decks to reanimate the splendor of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

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Designed by the Spanish-Swiss architect Santiago Calatrava, the tower is inspired by the minarets of mosques and the lily flower, making it a stunning blend of cultural heritage and modern design.

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It is expected to become the centerpiece of the upcoming Dubai Square Project at the Dubai Creek Harbour. The project will feature a mega-mall that integrates electric vehicles and is scheduled for completion within three years. Furthermore, the Creek Tower spotlights Dubai’s Vision to become home to the world's most impressive landmarks.

Dubai Creek Tower Height

The exact height of the Dubai Creek Tower is not yet disclosed by the developer. However, Emaar disclosed earlier, before the Covid-19 pandemic, that it would be the world's tallest tower, surpassing the Burj Khalifa. Thus, the tower's expected height will exceed 1,300 meters (4,300 feet), easily surpassing the Burj Khalifa at 828 meters.

After the revised design, the tower will place great emphasis on its architectural design, while also aiming to be the tallest. 

Dubai Creek Tower Location

The Dubai Creek Tower is located in the Dubai Creek Harbour. It is an advanced waterfront community featuring luxury apartments, shopping malls, and entertainment packages. This area is poised to become a central hub of activity, drawing tourists and locals alike to experience its vibrant lifestyle.

Project Background

Dubai Creek Tower is a part of the Dubai Creek Harbour development. The project was announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Emaar Chairman Mohamed Alabbar in 2016.

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According to the plan, the project consists of 2km of creekside waterfront, 679 million sq m of residential space, 851,000 sq m of commercial property, 22 hotels with 4,400 rooms, and 11.1 million sq m of malls/retail.

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The work began in June 2016, with the appointment of Aurecon as the engineer and architect of record and the Cala Trava team to lead the design and engineering works. Advanced wind tunnel tests were completed in July 2016, crucial for determining the final height of the tower.

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The groundbreaking ceremony took place in October 2016. Foundations were completed by May 2018. The developer expected to deliver the project by October 2020. It was supposed to be the architectural centrepiece of the Dubai 2020 Expo, in the same way the Eiffel Tower was to the 1889 Paris World's Fair. But it missed the deadline.

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The work was hindered in July 2019 due to contractor tender delays. The Covid-19 pandemic halted the project in April 2020. In August 2023, Mohamed Alabbar, the founder of Emaar Properties, announced that the Dubai Creek Tower is being redesigned. In January 2026, it announced that the construction tender would be launched within three months.

Attractions at the Dubai Creek Tower

The Dubai Creek Tower, an architectural landmark, comprises nearly 20 floors at the top, positioned in an oval-shaped bud. It accommodates 10 observation decks, a hotel, restaurants, a function room, and an indoor garden.

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The bud will act as a light beacon at night, and the lighting system will depict the features of a flower. Inspired by the minarets of mosques and the lily flower, it further includes the Pinnacle Room, offering a pioneering, 360-degree view of the city and the Arabian Gulf.

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From the 10 observation decks, 2 VIP observation garden decks to reanimate the splendor of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. There will be a cafe on one of the three public observation decks, along with diverse balconies rotating outward from the tower facade.

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The tower exclusively features sky gardens and parklands at great heights, offering a unique vantage point. Visitors can also expect luxury dining options, cafes, and entertainment venues, making it a full-day experience.

The Podium

A Podium at the base of the tower is a large, multifunctional space featuring a plaza and gardens, along with superstores, a tower access atrium, and other service spaces underground.  With four ground levels and large concrete walls along the plot boundaries, the superstores are planned to be 150 to 260 meters long.

Dubai Creek Tower Design & Structure

The tower is designed with a high-efficiency cooling system. The water collected through it helps clean the Structure’s facade. It involves refined gardening and vegetation to encourage solar protection. An integrated shading system and wing doors will further contribute to energy efficiency and sustainability.

The building service designs include the mechanical, hydraulics, gas, fire protection, electrical, and electronic solutions for the podium. The structural design comprises multiple concrete beams that form the atrium roof and support the plaza.

Dubai Creek Tower Project Cost

The total estimated cost for the Dubai Creek Tower is AED 3.67 billion (approximately USD 1 billion).

Project Timeline

Project Scope

The following is the project scope of the Dubai Creek Tower:

• Design Inspiration: Inspired by Islamic minarets and the lily flower, with a concrete core and an oval summit bud.
  

• Key attributes: 10 Observation Decks, sky gardens, rotating balconies for 360° views, self-cleaning facade, seismic dampers.
  

• Provisions: Hotels, restaurants, events, Central Plaza with retail/auditorium linking to Dubai Square Mall.
  

• Foundations: 50,000 m³ concrete, 145 barrette piles (72m deep), 12,000 tonnes steel; completed 2018.
  

• Engineering Highlights: It is the world's largest cable-stayed tower, featuring tuned mass dampers and integrated photovoltaics for sustainability.

Dubai Creek Tower Project Contractors

Dubai Creek Tower Project Latest News

The long-awaited Dubai Creek Tower is all set to be revived. In January 2026, Emaar founder Mohamed Ali Alabbar announced that the project's construction tender would be launched within the next three months.

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At the Dubai International Project Management Forum (DIPMF) 2026, Alabbar said that the design has undergone several revamps. The pandemic put the project on hold, allowing for design amendments.

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It is set to be the centrepiece of the upcoming Dubai Square project at Dubai Creek Harbour. Although Alabbar did not speak up on the technical details, but highlighted  that the redesign aims for a more refined architectural expression, as part of Dubai's broader commitment to iconic, experience-driven destinations.

Benefits

The following are the benefits of the project:

• Infrastructural boost: The project focuses on expanding the metro (Blue Line) and improving connectivity to Downtown Dubai and the Airport. Overall, it strengthens the city's infrastructure.
  

• Global Honour: Positions Dubai as an innovative and tourism hub, attracting talent, business, and high-net-worth individuals.
  

• Boost Economy: The project boosts Dubai's economy by attracting millions of visitors annually. This boosts the country’s economy by increasing hotel occupancy, retail, and dining demand in Dubai Creek Harbour.
  

• Luxury Lifestyle: The project designs a waterfront with parks, events, and skyline views, and integrates with Dubai Square Mall to create a vibrant community.

Conclusion

The Dubai Creek Tower is an under-construction project that will surpass the Burj Khalifa upon completion. Developed by Emaar Properties, the tower is being built in Dubai Creek Harbour.

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Designed by the Spanish-Swiss architect Santiago Calatrava, the tower is inspired by the minarets of mosques and the lily flower. Upon completion, the tower will strengthen Dubai’s skyline with observation decks and sky gardens.

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Integration with Dubai Square Mall and Creek Harbour positions it as a tourism catalyst, complementing the legacy of the Burj Khalifa. The redesign shifted the focus from extreme height to innovative cable-stayed aesthetics, ensuring feasibility at an estimated cost of USD 1 billion.

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