Emaar Properties will issue a tender for the redesigned Dubai Creek Tower within three months, the company’s founder Mohamed Alabbar has revealed, according to a report by Khaleej Times.
The developer has changed the design of the tower, which was first unveiled before the Covid-19 pandemic as a structure set to surpass the Burj Khalifa as the world’s tallest.
“We built the Burj Khalifa and continue to enhance it—most recently by upgrading its lighting. As Dubai reaches extraordinary heights, words are not enough. We must build something truly special. The tender for the Creek Tower will be offered in three months. We have changed the design, even though the previous one had already been announced,” Alabbar reportedly said.
Dubai Creek Tower tender to be issued within three months, says Emaar founder Mohamed Alabbar
He was speaking at the Dubai International Project Management Forum on Wednesday.
The project was put on hold as the design underwent revisions. Alabbar declined to disclose construction details, citing the project’s complexity, including cost considerations.
Saudi Arabia is pursuing the Kingdom Tower, a mile-high skyscraper expected to become the world’s tallest upon completion. Construction is reported to have resumed after the project had been suspended.
Alabbar said height alone does not define a landmark.
“After the Burj Khalifa, altitude alone is no longer enough. We focus on the aesthetics of the building and its surroundings,” he said.
In November 2025, Emaar launched the Dubai Square project at Dubai Creek Harbour, integrating residential and retail offerings. At its core will be the Dubai Square Mall, scheduled to open within three years.
The mall, currently under construction, is expected to be nearly three times the size of Downtown Dubai, with an estimated cost of Dh180 billion. It is set to become the region’s second-largest shopping and entertainment destination.
“The mall will be slightly smaller than Dubai Mall,” Alabbar added.
During the hour-long interview, Alabbar addressed workforce transformation and corporate culture.
“The majority of companies do not need 50 per cent of their employees. That way of thinking is outdated,” he said. “We don’t hold meetings at our company. In September 2025, we even banned all meetings – including virtual ones — for 30 days. Experienced professionals don’t need meetings,” he added.
