Work has started on The Tower, a skyscraper which will be the focal point of a new development in the Dubai Creek Harbour area.

It is officially scheduled to open in mid-2020 to celebrate the start of Expo 2020 in Dubai.

Designed by world-renowned architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava, who is leading its design and engineering work, and has chosen to work on a range of design and technical features with Aurecon.

His design was selected from six proposals that were submitted by top global architectural firms.

Calatrava says it is influenced by the natural forms of the lily, and was designed with a strong focus on energy efficiency and sustainability, including a highly-efficient cooling system to mitigate the region’s hot climate.

“The Calatrava team were looking to work directly with our experts who have had hands-on project experience on other supertall and similar mega projects," says Adrian Jones, Aurecon’s Project Director for The Tower.

"Not only were they assured of such a working arrangement, they were further impressed by our open, flexible and collaborative approach," he continues. 

“The Tower will test the craftsmanship of Aurecon as we play our part in making a mark on the built fabric of mankind. It is an absolute privilege to be entrusted by Santiago Calatrava and Emaar Properties to work on this project, and we have assembled a stellar team to bring this idea to life.”

The design includes a distinctive net of steel cable that stays attached to a central reinforced concrete column, reaching into the skies.

At the top of the tower is an oval-shaped bud that will house ten observation decks, including The Pinnacle Room, which will offer 360-degree views of the city and beyond.

This will also serve as a beacon of light at night, with a lighting system that will evoke the features of a flower bud.

“The Tower in Dubai Creek Harbour will be a shining beacon of hope for the world, celebrating diversity and human achievements. The iconic landmark will further amplify the country’s ambition and futuristic vision,” said Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties, the Dubai-based company that commissioned the project.

The project was unveiled to the world at a launch ceremony by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

“One of the secrets with courageous projects is not to use new techniques or materials, but to stick with what you know,” said Dr. Andy Davids, Aurecon’s Tall Buildings Leader, who serves as Aurecon’s Director of Design on the project.

“At the same time, we must work to maximise the potential of those materials and techniques. What’s different in The Tower is that we’ll be pushing the use of these techniques beyond current norms to create something unparalleled, and for us that’s very exciting," he says.

The building will also include numerous balconies that will rotate outside the façade of the tower, an exclusive boutique hotel, and several event spaces.

At ground level, The Tower’s Central Plaza will serve as a neighbourhood centre, with world-class retail stores, a museum, educational facilities and an indoor auditorium.

The surrounding area of Dubai Creek Harbour will become a 6 square-kilometre development that incorporates world-class master-planning.

It will cover an area twice the size of Downtown Dubai and be located just 10 minutes from Dubai International Airport.