Observation tower planned in Dubai Creek

Spanish architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava has been commissioned to design a new observation tower in Dubai. Billed as a new national monument and tourist destination, the project is being co-developed by Emaar Properties, the firm responsible for the Burj Khalifa.

Inspired by traditional Islamic architecture, the sole available render depicts an illuminated dart-shaped tower that rises to a fine point. According to Gulf Business, Emaar Properties Chairman Mohamed Alabbar said the as-yet unnamed tower’s height won’t be revealed until it is open, and that construction will begin in a few months.

It is due to be located in developer Emaar Properties’ ongoing Dubai Creek Harbour masterplan, which will also include luxury residential towers. Dubai Holding, which is leading the Mall of the World project, is co-developing.

Calatrava won the nod for the project following an architectural competition that also involved five other submissions.

“We feel extremely thankful and honored to have been selected for such an important project,” says Santiago Calatrava. “Dubai is where innovative and revolutionary architecture is making incredible strides. In our proposed design, we have united local traditional architecture with that of the 21st century.”

The project was hailed as a future architectural wonder that will be as great as the Burj Khalifa and Eiffel Tower by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Emir of Dubai.