How Dubai’s new skyscraper will compare with world’s tallest buildings

Dubai residents live in the city with the world’s tallest skyscraper, and will soon be gazing up at the world’s second tallest skyscraper as well.

On Wednesday, September 5th, real estate firm Azizi Developments in Dubai announced that its mega skyscraper, the Burj Azizi, which broke ground in January 2024, will be 2,379 ft tall, and stand just two miles away from the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world at 2,717 ft.

The final announcement about the height of the building came on September 5th after negotiations with the General Civil Aviation Authority in Dubai, which has the final say over skyscrapers in the city.

This is giant even for very tall buildings, and it will tower over the current second tallest building in the world, the Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur, which stands at 2,227.

Only one of the world’s top ten tallest buildings is in the United States, and that is One World Trade Center in 7th position, which stands at 1,776 ft in New York City. The One WTC is also the youngest building on the list, as it was built in 2014.

The 131-story Burj Azizi, which is set to cost $1.6 billion, is expected to host apartments, restaurants, a hotel, a ballroom, a nightclub, and even an area known as the “adrenaline zone.” Many of these amenities are billed as “the world’s highest.” The nightclub is set to be on level 126, the observation deck will be on level 130, and a restaurant on level 122. This will be Dubai’s highest restaurant, taller than even the restaurant at the Burj Khalifa.

Mr. Mirwais Azizi, Founder & Chairman of Azizi Developments, said in a September 4th news release: “Our investment in Burj Azizi, surpassing AED 6 billion, represents more than just the creation of an iconic structure it is a commitment to transforming Sheikh Zayed Road and elevating Dubai’s skyline to new, unparalleled heights.

“My vision for Burj Azizi is to create a lasting legacy, a tribute to Dubai as a destination of choice for both residents and visitors and a monumental achievement in engineering, setting new benchmarks for quality, luxury, and innovation.”

Construction is expected to be completed in 2028, but apartments will go on sale as early as February 2025. The cost of an average studio apartment in the Burj Khalifa costs $1.7 million, so anyone planning on getting a place at the Burj Azizi should start saving now.