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Burj Dubai now tallest man-made structure

DUBAI — Burj Dubai has become the world’s tallest man-made structure after surpassing the height of the KVLY-TV mast in the United States, the tower’s developer Emaar announced yesterday.

Burj Dubai is now 629 metres (2,063.6ft) high while KVLY-TV, in Dakota, which held the record for the world’s tallest supported structure since 1963, has a height of 628.8 metres (2,063ft).

Burj Dubai was already the world’s tallest building and tallest free-standing structure. Now standing at 160 storeys it is taller than Taipei 101 (508 metres; 1667ft) in Taiwan and CN Tower (553.33 metres; 1815.5ft) in Toronto, Canada.

Mohamed Ali Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties, said: “Emaar’s Burj Dubai has accomplished another milestone in its development, placing the city of Dubai and Burj Dubai once again in the global spotlight. With over 160 storeys now, the most number of liveable floors in any building in the world, Burj Dubai is already pushing the frontiers in architecture, construction and engineering excellence.”

He added: “The significance of Burj Dubai surpassing the height of the KVLY-TV mast is that it demonstrates the pioneering achievement of mankind in creating urban environments that defy conventions. With over 5,000 professionals and skilled workers from around the world working on site, Burj Dubai’s new feat is another celebration of teamwork.” Burj Dubai is billed to meet all four criteria listed by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), which classifies the world’s tallest structures. CTBUH measures the height of buildings to the structural top, the highest occupied floor, the top of the roof and the tip of the spire, pinnacle, antenna, mast or flag pole.

When completed, Burj Dubai will have used 330,000 cubic metres of concrete, 39,000 metric tonnes of steel rebar and 142,000 sq.m. of glass.