Davis Langdon & Everest approached to cost 150-storey tower, as UK firms join Dubai goldrush.
British firms are lining up to work on the world's tallest building in the Gulf state of Dubai.

The initial costing was carried out by DG Jones, an arm of Cyril Sweett, and developer Emaar has asked Davis Langdon & Everest to quote for a revised costing of the mixed-use tower.

DL&E partner Derek Johnson said: "The developer is seeking a second opinion from the market. We have relevant experience of working on projects such as Heron Tower."

Work on the Burj Dubai, one of several landmark projects in Dubai's construction boom, is due to start in December. It is one of several for which British firms are bidding.

Emaar, a public company in which the government of Dubai holds a 30% stake, is keeping the height of the tower a secret. However, it is expected to have 150 storeys. Assuming a height of 4.5 m per storey, well below the average for modern skyscrapers, the Burj Dubai will reach 675 m, breaking the record by more than 160 m.

Emaar has appointed American firm Turner International as project manager. The tower has been designed by US practice Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, with additional work carried out by Australian architect Denton Corker Marshall.

There is a huge amount of development that is frankly absurd

Nick Sweet, director of Aukett

It is expected to take 36 to 42 months to build. The main construction contract has not yet been put out to tender. Johnson said: "They often do it in packages, especially in the American system."

The £2.5bn expansion of Dubai international airport is being tendered in seven packages. Laing O'Rourke won the £350m engineering, procurement and construction contract last month in a joint venture with local contractor Al-Naboodah.

Laing O'Rourke has also put in a bid to build a £60m hangar development for Emirates airline in Dubai. This is a joint venture with Al-Naboodah, Balfour Beatty and three other overseas contractors.

Mace was appointed project manager on the £900m Jameirah Beach Residence project earlier this year. This includes 38 40-storey residential towers, five hotels and three beach clubs.