Reuters reports (link dead) that a tower under construction in Dubai has passed Taipei 101 to become the tallest building on the planet.

“Burj Dubai has now reached 141 storeys, more storeys than any other building in the world.”

The developer wants the tower, set to be completed next year, to be the world’s tallest building according to all four criteria listed by the Chicago-based Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, which measures buildings to the structural top, the highest occupied floor, the top of the roof and the tip of the spire or flagpole.

Emaar did not say how tall the finished building will be.

Once completed, Burj Dubai will have consumed 330,000 cubic metres of concrete, 39,000 tonnes of steel and 142,000 square metres of glass, Emaar said. It will have 56 lifts travelling at 1.75 to 10 metres per second.

Coming soon to the History Channel…

I’m quite amazed that Dubai with all its sand could support such a massive project. Nature is already taking its toll on the islands they are creating and eroding them away.

It’s also good to see someone isn’t afraid of people who would bring down such a symbol of commerce.