Emaar Properties has delayed the tendering process for its long-awaited Dubai Creek Tower project. The tendering process has been delayed by approximately three to four months. This information on the delay was revealed by Dubai government owned Arabic language newspaper Emarat Al Youm on Monday.
Reasons for the Delay
Also, the report quoted Emaar Properties founder Mohamed Alabbar as saying that the company decided to postpone the tender because port closures affected the cost of construction materials and overall project pricing.
“We will wait for about three or four months. After that period, we will then re-evaluate the pricing of Creek Tower,” Alabbar said during the 11th UAE Media Forum.
However, the Emarat Al Youm report didn’t contain details on revised project cost, timeline or updated height of the redesigned tower.
A January 2026 Zawya Projects report revealed that the Emaar Properties was set to launch the main tender for the redesigned Dubai Creek Tower in three months.
Design and Cost
Furthermore, the landmark observation tower was designed by Spanish-Swiss architect Santiago Calatrava. Additionally, it was planned as the centrepiece of the 180 billion UAE dirhams ($49 billion) Dubai Creek Harbour development. The project was unveiled in April 2016 with an estimated construction cost of $1 billion. Additionally, the structure was originally planned to stand a “notch” taller than the 828-metre Burj Khalifa. This tower project alongside others such as the Merced Benz Tower will redefine Dubai’s skyline and give it a more urban look.
Moreover, separately in December 2025, Emaar Properties had announced Dubai Square, a futuristic 2.6-million square metre (sqm) retail, hospitality and commercial destination set as the anchor of the 11 million sqm Dubai Creek Harbour master plan.
Moreover, at the time, the developer said construction of Dubai Square had commenced and was expected to be completed within three years.
Project Factsheet
Developer: Emaar Properties PJSC & Dubai Holding
Master Development: Dubai Creek Harbour
Architect: Santiago Calatrava (Calatrava International)
Engineer of Record: Zutari (formerly Aurecon)
Structural Type: Cable-stayed architectural observation tower
Revised Design: Philosophy A “modern minaret” inspired by the lily flower, emphasizing structural beauty over height records
Projected Height: Unconfirmed by Emaar (Revised down from the original 1,300m concept; current industry expectations point to 900m, keeping it shorter than or comparable to the Burj Khalifa)
Estimated Budget: $3.8 Billion combined budget for the Tower and the adjacent Dubai Square mega-mall
Foundation System: The foundation was fully completed in 2018, featuring 145 barrette piles driven to a world-record depth of over 72 meters, bound together by a 50,000 cubic meter concrete cap. This allows vertical construction to begin directly once contracts are finalized.
The Cable Array: A slender, high-strength reinforced concrete core stabilized by a massive web of radiating steel cables. These will anchor the structure firmly to the ground.
The Pinnacle Room: A 360-degree, fully enclosed glass observation deck positioned at the absolute summit of the tower.
VIP Sky Gardens: Two open-air, multi-level observation decks inspired by the historical Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
Rotating Balconies: Eight additional designated observation floors that feature slowly rotating architectural platforms for panoramic views.
Phased Completion: The final delivery of the tower is heavily synchronized with the Dubai Square commercial (targeted for initial phases around 2028). Also, it is synchronized with the upcoming Dubai Metro Blue Line expansion. The expansion will feature a dedicated, high-capacity station right at Dubai Creek Harbour.
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