Emaar Properties, the design and build team behind the world's tallest building, the Dubai Burj Khalifa, is now aiming to secure new contracts to build an 1,100 high superscraper in Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom Tower would most likely succeed the Burj Khalifa in becoming the world's tallest tower and would form the centerpiece of Kingdom City, which is one of the largest and most ambitious projects in Saudi Arabia. Emaar Properties would take on a consultancy role in the Kingdom City project. It would be working with Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, the US architecture firm that designed the world's tallest tower. If the US firm wins the contract, it will again work closely with Emaar Properties. The development is being planned by Kingdom Holding, the business conglomerate owned by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. Mohamed Alabbar, chairman of Emaar, said work was continuing on the Kingdom City development, which is expected to provide homes for about 80,000 people. The landscape has changed in the region. Customers now want real, true solid companies. They want value for their money as well. People now want track records. This is a region where shortage of housing is an issue. Kingdom City development, which is said to cost about $26.6 billion to build, has been planned for several years, but progress has been hampered by the global downturn.
