Emaar Properties is preparing to revive the long-awaited Dubai Creek Tower project, with a tender for the redesigned structure expected to be issued within the next three months, the company’s founder Mohamed Ali Alabbar has confirmed.
Speaking at the Dubai International Project Management Forum on Wednesday, Alabbar said the developer had opted to rework the tower’s original concept, even though the earlier design had already been announced publicly.
“We built the Burj Khalifa and continue to enhance it, most recently through upgrades to its lighting,” he said. “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.”
Dubai Creek Tower was first unveiled before the Covid-19 pandemic and was promoted as a structure that would exceed the Burj Khalifa to become the world’s tallest tower. The project was later paused while its design was reassessed. Alabbar declined to provide construction timelines or budget details, citing the technical and financial complexity of the project.
The revival comes as competition in super-tall construction intensifies across the region. Saudi Arabia is pursuing the Kingdom Tower, a mile-high skyscraper expected to become the tallest building in the world once completed. After years of suspension, construction on the Saudi project is reported to have resumed.
Alabbar said that architectural value is no longer defined by height alone.
“After the Burj Khalifa, altitude by itself is not enough,” he said. “We focus on the aesthetics of the building and its surroundings.”
Emaar is also pushing ahead with major development at Dubai Creek Harbour. In November 2025, the company launched the Dubai Square project, which combines residential, retail and entertainment components. At its centre will be Dubai Square Mall, scheduled to open within three years.
The mall, currently under construction, is expected to be almost three times the size of Downtown Dubai, with an estimated cost of Dh180 billion. It is positioned to become the region’s second-largest shopping and entertainment destination.
“The mall will be slightly smaller than Dubai Mall,” Alabbar said.
During the forum discussion, Alabbar also shared his views on corporate culture, artificial intelligence and workplace efficiency. He said traditional management structures no longer suit modern business environments.
“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.”
Emaar’s renewed focus on Dubai Creek Tower is seen as a statement of confidence in Dubai’s long-term growth as a global development and investment hub. While final specifications remain undisclosed, industry observers expect the project to play a central role in the next phase of the city’s architectural evolution.
