Friday, July 25, 2008

Faves: Burj Dubai


In April, the Burj Dubai passed the KVLY-TV mast in North Dakota to become the tallest structure in the world.  They have currently finished constructing the actual shell at 636m (2,087ft.).  With antenna, it should top out at 818m (2,684ft.)  The CN Tower, by comparison, is a measly 555m (1,822ft.).

         March 2008 Anheiler (image tweaked slightly in Photoshop)

When it was first announced, I had doubts about its feasibility.  Being that high off the ground seems like a huge, unsustainable luxury.  The illustrations looked so nice, could the building itself possibly be that elegant?  Well, it appears so.  I'm not sure I'd want to live here, but is sure looks nice.  The only problem with this, and the other cool buildings in Dubai, is that they will all be under 20 feet of water in 60 or 70 years due to global warming.  Anyway, the Burj Dubai appears to be on schedule for completion around the end of the year and occupation to start Sept 09. 

The official site is here.  Wikipedia entry here.  Very spiffy site that compares skyscrapers here (well worth the visit).