Burj Azizi – 725 meters of ambition on Sheikh Zayed Road

725 m is not just a number; it’s a clear signal. Burj Azizi could become the second tallest building in the world, only 103 m shorter than Burj Khalifa (828 m). Interestingly, both towers stand just about 2 km apart.

The project rises directly by Sheikh Zayed Road, in the Trade Centre First (World Trade Center) district. Developer Azizi Developments highlights an important detail: it’s “the only freehold property directly on Sheikh Zayed Road.” In Dubai, land ownership is still an exception, so this status increases the value of the entire venture.

Burj Azizi is a staggering 725 meters of ambition!

Burj Azizi is intended to function as a “one-of-a-kind vertical city” or a ” vertical destination “, combining residences, a seven-star hotel, retail, and entertainment within a single structure. This is not just an ordinary skyscraper with apartments, but rather a complete ecosystem enclosed vertically.

photo: metropolitan.realestate

The project has been under construction since its restart on 23.01.2024, with completion expected in 2029/2030. Farhad Azizi, the founder of the company, described the tower as “a powerful statement of Dubai’s ambition.” Is 2030 a realistic date? We’ll see.

Key dates and decisions

photo: autographrealtors.com

The story of Burj Azizi is, at its core, a tale of perseverance. The project began in 2012 as Entisar Tower, with a planned height of 570 m at the time. Actual construction work only started on August 29, 2016, but by 2017, work was halted, a stop-work order was issued, and legal disputes froze the site. That was when Azizi (2017-2018) took over and began planning a restart.

Fun fact: the existing foundations from 2016 and elements of the WS Atkins design were reused. As Mirwais Azizi said, “from the outset, plans for 526 m or 725 m designs” were considered in parallel, so the decision on the final height was the result of strategy, not chance. This is a great example of the reactivation of megaprojects in Dubai despite fluctuating market cycles.

photo: richproperty.ae

Functions and utility records

Burj Azizi is set to house a true “vertical city” within its 133 above-ground floors. Over 700 residential units (apartments, penthouses, holiday homes), a 7* all-suite hotel, a vertical shopping center, 7 restaurants inspired by various world cultures, cinemas, a nightclub, spa, swimming pools, gym, yoga zone, and even a museum documenting the construction. Total usable area? Around 236,000 m² (the entire project reaches approx. 3.4 million ft²).

photo: khaleejtimes.com

Height records in practice

This is where things get really interesting, as the numbers reveal the scale of ambition. The observatory will be located at 649 m, the highest usable floor (top floor) at 627 m, and the roof will reach 665 m. But what about specific functions? The hotel lobby will be at 498 m (level 111), hotel rooms starting from 512 m, a restaurant at 544 m (Lv122), spa at 415 m. Even a cinema and supermarket will be at 310 m, with a nightclub at a record-breaking 567 m (Lv126). For comparison, most skyscrapers in Europe end below these heights.

From a technical perspective, it’s a slender layout with a central core (elevators, MEP installations), designed in accordance with wind load and seismic standards. The entire construction process is supported by BIM technology. The only question is whether all these functions will actually attract customers at such heights.

photo: bocadolobo.com

Market, prices and outlook

Azizi Developments is selling Burj Azizi on a freehold basis, which, given its direct location on Sheikh Zayed Road, means full ownership with no time restrictions. The global launch took place at the Coca‑Cola Arena, clearly reflecting the scale of their ambitions.

Prices, metrics, and payment model

The starting point is around 10,000 AED/ft². Specifically:

• Apartment with 1 bedroom (approx. 1,065 ft²) starts at around 4.97 million AED
• Penthouses are going for significantly higher prices, although the exact range has not yet been made public
• The promotions feature a flexible 90/10 plan, meaning a 90% payment upon signing and 10% upon handover.

The official handover date is 2029/2030. It’s worth remembering that with megaprojects, such dates are usually subject to revision.

photo: amusementlogic.com

Prospects and risks for the buyer

At 725 m, Burj Azizi may take second place in the world, but Jeddah Tower (~1 km) is still in the game and could overtake it. So, height alone is an argument in play.

As for execution credibility: some of Azizi’s earlier projects experienced delays, and in 01.2026 the court ordered a refund of 516,872 AED in the Riviera case. On the other hand, the company has switched to in-house construction, which improves process control. Honestly, there is risk, but the location’s potential and the project’s ambition balance out the concern. The decision depends on your risk appetite.

When the horizon meets the vertical

Burj Azizi combines three things that usually exist separately: Guinness record-level ambition, a functional program like a small city, and a cool economic calculation. This is not a tower built “just because”—it’s Dubai’s answer to the question of how to maintain its position when the world is no longer impressed by height alone. Vertical city may sound like a marketing slogan, but here it truly means creating an ecosystem that works vertically instead of sprawling outward.

photo: newsweek.com

For you as an observer, investor, or simply a curious onlooker, Burj Azizi shows where the architecture of the future is headed. Cities are growing upwards, because that’s still possible. And that’s exactly why this project will be remembered longer than yet another luxury hotel.

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real estate editorial team