Dubai to build tower taller than Burj Khalifa

An undated handout photograph made available on 10 April 2016 by Emaar Properties shows Emaar Chairman Mohamed Alabbar (right) standing with Spanish-Swiss architect, structural engineer, sculptor and painter Santiago Calatrava Valls (left) in front of the design of a skyscraper they are supposed to build at Dubai Creek Harbour, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. -EPA

DUBAI: Dubai plans to build a tower that will stand higher than its Burj Khalifa, currently the world’s tallest skyscraper, property developer Emaar said Sunday.

The viewing tower will cost around $1 billion (880 million euros) and will be “a notch” taller than Burj Khalifa, Emaar chairman Mohamed Alabbar told reporters as he revealed details of the project. But he said that the final height will be announced upon completion, adding that his company would like to present the tower as a “gift to the city before 2020,” the year Dubai hosts the world Expo trading fair.