Dubai has started building the world's tallest tower

Dubai is already the home to the world's tallest tower Getty Images

Dubai has begun construction work on a tower that is set to be the tallest in the world.

The joint venture between Emaar Properties and Dubai Holding, the investment vehicle of the emirate’s ruler, will be located at Dubai Creek Harbour and will be completed in 2020.

Both the exact height of the tower and the cost of production have not yet been released. 

The country is already the home of the highest skyscraper, the Burj Khalifa, which stands at 829.8 metres (2,722ft) high.

Designed by Spanish-Swiss architect, Santiago Calatrava Valls, the tower will be “a notch” higher than the Burj Khalif and will have observation decks providing a 360-degree view of the city.

In April, Emaar Properties reportedly said the tower will be anchored to the ground by cables and the design will be inspired by the image of a minaret. 

Saudi Arabia is also planning to build a skyscraper to surpass the Burj Khalifa. 

The tower will be located in the city of Jeddah and has a preliminary cost of $1.23 billion. It is expected to reach 1,000 metres (3,281 feet) high.