Burj Dubai developer 'shooting for' December 2 opening day

The Burj Dubai, the world's tallest tower, will probably open on National Day, December 2, according to the chairman of the property developer Emaar.

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The Burj Dubai, the world's tallest tower, will probably open on National Day, December 2, according to the chairman of the property developer Emaar. Speaking to Marketplace Middle East, the CNN network's weekly show covering business development in the region, Mohammed Alabbar said: "We are shooting for the National Day for the opening of the Burj. "Right now we have 12,000 people inside the building and outside trying to achieve the second of December for our opening."

He acknowledged there were challenges, but added: "I think we'll get there." A spokeswoman for Emaar was yesterday unable to confirm the announcement. This is the first time Emaar has provided a concrete date for the Burj's opening with previous reports only speculating it would open sometime in December. On October 1, Emaar said it had completed installing the exterior cladding on the Burj in a development that was dubbed by the company's chairman as "a milestone both for Burj Dubai and the science of high-rise engineering".

The total weight of aluminium used in the project was equivalent to that of five double-decker A380 aircraft, the company said. More than 24,000 cladding panels were used, covering an area of 132,190 square metres. The tower, which topped out at an estimated 818 metres earlier this year, was initially scheduled for completion in April. kshaheen@thenational.ae