UAE towers high among world's tallest buildings

Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, saw completion of two hi-rises in 2014 with the 381-meters Burj Mohammad Bin Rashid (formerly World Trade Center Abu Dhabi – The Residences) becoming the second tallest building to be completed worldwide last year, according to Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH).

The 278-meter World Trade Center Abu Dhabi – The Offices located in the World Trade Center Abu Dhabi Complex took the 17th place in the list of top 20 hi-rises of 2014, the council said.

The tallest building to be completed was 541-meter World Trade Center in New York, which is now the world’s third-tallest building.

The Middle East saw completion of 11 hi-rises, or 11 per cent of the global total.

Qatar delivered four of the 11 completions, all of which were in Doha. Other towers completed in the region were 308-meters Burj Rafal in in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and 240-meter Crystal Tower in Kuwait.

According to CTBUH, the number of tall buildings around the world reached a new record last year, with 97 buildings completed that soar over 200 meters in height.

Asia dominated the list with 74 of the 97 building completed, being home to 76 per cent of the tall building last year.

Dubai’s Burj Khalifa continues to remain the tallest tower in the world, at 828 metres and 163 floors. However, the 1,000-metre, 167-storey Kingdom Tower in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is slated for completion in 2018.

CTBUH believes 2015 promises to be more active than the last year with between 105 and 130 buildings of 200 meters’ height or greater being completed. Eight to 15 of will be supertall, and one of which will be a megatall (Shanghai Tower).

(Picture courtesy: Emarat Al Youm)

China is expected to lead by a wide margin and is on track to complete or top out 106 buildings of 200 meters or greater, the report states.

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