Once planning approval is acquired, Burj Azizi could be the second tallest tower in the world. Photo: Azizi
Once planning approval is acquired, Burj Azizi could be the second tallest tower in the world. Photo: Azizi
Once planning approval is acquired, Burj Azizi could be the second tallest tower in the world. Photo: Azizi
Once planning approval is acquired, Burj Azizi could be the second tallest tower in the world. Photo: Azizi

Azizi starts work on $1.5bn Dubai tower that could be the world's second tallest


Neil Halligan
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Azizi Developments has begun construction of a mega-tall tower block that it says will be the second tallest in the world if it is approved.

The developer declined to say how tall Burj Azizi will be because the structure's proposed height is awaiting final approval from authorities. But the company did confirm, however, that it will be the second tallest building in Dubai.

The $1.5 billion tower, which will be on the Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai, will feature luxury apartments and penthouses, a mall spread over several floors, a seven-star hotel, high-end F&B outlets and an observation deck.

Burj Azizi is scheduled to be completed within four years, the developer said.

Developer Azizi is awaiting approval for the height of Burj Azizi. Photo: Azizi
Developer Azizi is awaiting approval for the height of Burj Azizi. Photo: Azizi

“This tower will be our legacy. With Dubai having given my family and I so much – safety and abundance of opportunities – this tower, which will be the second tallest [in the world] is our way of giving back to this emirate and its remarkably hospitable and welcoming people,” said Mirwais Azizi, founder and chairman of Azizi Developments.

The 828-metre Burj Khalifa has been the world's tallest since it opened on January 4, 2010. To be the second tallest in the world, Burj Azizi will have to be taller than 679m, which is the height of Merdeka 118 in Malaysia, which opened in November.

To be the second tallest building in the city, the Burj Azizi would have to be taller than 450m, which is the height of the Franck Muller Aeternitas tower, which is currently under construction in Dubai Marina.

At present, the second tallest tower in the city, according to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, is Marina 101, which measures 425m in height, while the third tallest is the Princess Tower, also in Dubai Marina, which is 413m.

  • The Palm Jumeirah saw the majority of deals in luxury and super luxury sales in Dubai in 2023. AFP
    The Palm Jumeirah saw the majority of deals in luxury and super luxury sales in Dubai in 2023. AFP
  • At 450m, the Franck Muller Aeternitas tower will be one of the tallest in the city when complete in 2027. It will feature 649 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, plus duplexes, over 106 floors – all topped by a giant clock. Photo: London Gate
    At 450m, the Franck Muller Aeternitas tower will be one of the tallest in the city when complete in 2027. It will feature 649 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, plus duplexes, over 106 floors – all topped by a giant clock. Photo: London Gate
  • Bayz 101 by Danube will have 1,346 apartments and is the developer's largest project to date in terms of both units and overall space. Photo: Danube Properties
    Bayz 101 by Danube will have 1,346 apartments and is the developer's largest project to date in terms of both units and overall space. Photo: Danube Properties
  • Sharjah property developer Arada has launched sales for its luxury project in Dubai, the Armani Beach Residences at Palm Jumeirah. Prices start at Dh21 million ($5.7m). Photo: Arada
    Sharjah property developer Arada has launched sales for its luxury project in Dubai, the Armani Beach Residences at Palm Jumeirah. Prices start at Dh21 million ($5.7m). Photo: Arada
  • Designed by Japanese Pritzker-Prize-winning architect Tadao Ando, in collaboration with fashion icon Giorgio Armani, Armani Beach Residences features 53 two to five-bedroom residences, plus penthouses and two presidential suites. Photo: Arada
    Designed by Japanese Pritzker-Prize-winning architect Tadao Ando, in collaboration with fashion icon Giorgio Armani, Armani Beach Residences features 53 two to five-bedroom residences, plus penthouses and two presidential suites. Photo: Arada
  • One of the largest private penthouses in Dubai is on sale for Dh600 million. It comprises the three top-three levels and rooftop of Raffles The Palm Dubai Residences. Photo: Emerald Palace Group
    One of the largest private penthouses in Dubai is on sale for Dh600 million. It comprises the three top-three levels and rooftop of Raffles The Palm Dubai Residences. Photo: Emerald Palace Group
  • Dubai's AHS Properties has launched a $850 million project called Casa Canal, located at Dubai Water Canal. Photo: AHS Properties
    Dubai's AHS Properties has launched a $850 million project called Casa Canal, located at Dubai Water Canal. Photo: AHS Properties
  • Casa Canal will have a mix of residences, including three-bedroom penthouses, four and five-bedroom villas and six-bedroom mansions. Units are priced between Dh22.5 million and Dh185 million and the project is set to be delivered in late 2025. Photo: AHS Properties
    Casa Canal will have a mix of residences, including three-bedroom penthouses, four and five-bedroom villas and six-bedroom mansions. Units are priced between Dh22.5 million and Dh185 million and the project is set to be delivered in late 2025. Photo: AHS Properties
  • Nakheel, the developer behind The Palm Jumeirah, launched the first waterfront villa project on the Palm Jebel Ali in 2023. Leslie Pableo / The National
    Nakheel, the developer behind The Palm Jumeirah, launched the first waterfront villa project on the Palm Jebel Ali in 2023. Leslie Pableo / The National
  • The launch of properties on four fronds of Palm Jebel Ali offer two types of homes – coral and beach villas, says Nakheel. Photo: Nakheel
    The launch of properties on four fronds of Palm Jebel Ali offer two types of homes – coral and beach villas, says Nakheel. Photo: Nakheel
  • Dubai developer Sankari Properties is building a $1 billion ultra-luxury project in Marasi Business Bay. Units will start at $10 million. Photo: Sankari Properties
    Dubai developer Sankari Properties is building a $1 billion ultra-luxury project in Marasi Business Bay. Units will start at $10 million. Photo: Sankari Properties
  • Damac launched Cavalli Couture on Dubai Water Canal in 2022. The 14-storey building features 70 units, comprising three, four and five-bedroom duplex sky villas and duplex penthouses. Photo: Damac
    Damac launched Cavalli Couture on Dubai Water Canal in 2022. The 14-storey building features 70 units, comprising three, four and five-bedroom duplex sky villas and duplex penthouses. Photo: Damac
  • Jumeirah Bay Island is one of Dubai's prime residential neighbourhoods. Photo: Bulgari
    Jumeirah Bay Island is one of Dubai's prime residential neighbourhoods. Photo: Bulgari
  • There were close to 50 sales of Jumeirah Bay Island properties in excess of $10 million in 2023.
    There were close to 50 sales of Jumeirah Bay Island properties in excess of $10 million in 2023.
  • Also much sought-after is The Mansions, Lanai Islands, Tilal Al Ghaf, Dubai. Photo: Knight Frank
    Also much sought-after is The Mansions, Lanai Islands, Tilal Al Ghaf, Dubai. Photo: Knight Frank
  • A luxury villa in Dubai's Emirates Hills sold for Dh102.8 million in 2022. Photo: Phoenix Homes
    A luxury villa in Dubai's Emirates Hills sold for Dh102.8 million in 2022. Photo: Phoenix Homes

Master community

Azizi Developments previously proposed plans to develop a landmark tower on the Sheikh Zayed Road.

The developer first announced the building of the 570m skyscraper, with 122 storeys, in March 2018.

At Cityscape in 2022, the developer's chief executive, Farhad Azizi, announced plans to build the second-tallest tower in Dubai as part of a multibillion-dollar investment plan.

Mr Azizi described the tower as being "like a master community but in one tower”. In May, it announced plans to spend up to Dh60 billion on developing a portfolio of 50 luxury hotels and resorts, including a seven-star hotel, in Dubai.

Azizi currently has about 40,000 units under construction that are due to be delivered by 2027.

In September, it launched a Dh30 billion ($8.16 billion) mixed-use development called Azizi Venice, which will include more than 30,000 homes in 100 mid-rise apartment complexes and more than 400 villas and mansions.

After a record year for developers, UAE property prices are expected to continue to rise in 2024. In Dubai, average residential prices are projected to increase by 5 per cent to 7 per cent, according to ValuStrat.

However, by the summer, “we could see an inflection point where we could see a turn in the curve and if it happens then it will hit the high-end luxury market first”, said Haider Tuaima, director and head of real estate research at ValuStrat.

Company profile

Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space

Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)

Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)

Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi 

Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution) 

Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space  

Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019

UAE - India ties

The UAE is India’s third-largest trade partner after the US and China

Annual bilateral trade between India and the UAE has crossed US$ 60 billion

The UAE is the fourth-largest exporter of crude oil for India

Indians comprise the largest community with 3.3 million residents in the UAE

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi first visited the UAE in August 2015

His visit on August 23-24 will be the third in four years

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, visited India in February 2016

Sheikh Mohamed was the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations in January 2017

Modi will visit Bahrain on August 24-25

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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Updated: January 18, 2024, 11:55 AM