Burj Dubai: Bird's eye view

The latest picture from Dubai-based developer Emaar Properties' Burj Dubai project shows the view from the top of the spire. Currently standing over 629 m high the Burj Dubai is the world's tallest man-made structure.

The 160-storey tower, which is already the world's tallest building and tallest free-standing structure, has surpassed the 628.8 m high KVLY television (TV) mast in North Dakota, US.

The mast had held the title of world's tallest supported structure since 1963.

The Burj Dubai will eventually be the tallest structure in the world in all four of the criteria listed by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), according to Emaar.

The CTBUH measures the final height to the structural top, the highest occupied floor, to the top of the roof, and to the tip of the spire, pinnacle, antenna, mast or flag pole, provided they consider this to be an integral part of the overall design.

The final height of the Burj Dubai is currently rumoured to be over 900 m. However, local media said late last year the final height would be 818 m, citing architects drawings posted on the internet.

Emaar's triumph may not last long. Rival Dubai developer Nakheel has just announced plans to build a 1200 m high tower on the US$ 61 billion Arabian Canal development.

Picture: Hyder Consulting