Emaar has released a video showcasing its new Dubai Mall Plaza and Hotel project, signalling the possible imminent unveiling of a major development in Dubai.

Emaar founder Mohamed Alabbar shared the video on his official social media accounts with the brief message: “Coming soon.”

The move came just hours after Alabbar announced at the RISE Dubai conference that Emaar would soon unveil a new skyscraper that he said would be one of the world’s most beautiful buildings.

However, it remains unclear whether the Dubai Mall Plaza project is the same skyscraper Alabbar referred to during his speech.

New skyscraper awaits improved conditions in the Strait of Hormuz

Speaking on Wednesday at the RISE conference at Dubai World Trade Centre, Alabbar said the design of the distinctive building had been fully completed and the project was ready to enter the construction phase.

“We have a special building whose design is complete and ready. We are only waiting for transportation, logistics and port operations to improve slightly so that we can issue the construction tender. It will probably be one of the most beautiful buildings in the world,” he said.

His comments came in response to a question from an attendee about when Dubai would build a new skyscraper matching the beauty and grandeur of the Burj Khalifa.

Asked when the project would begin, Alabbar said: “I am just waiting for access through the Strait of Hormuz to reopen and for conditions to improve.”

The Emaar founder’s speech drew a strong turnout, with the hall at Dubai World Trade Centre packed with attendees. One participant said he had travelled from India to Dubai solely to hear Alabbar speak.

Will AI Replace Human Labour in Construction?

Elsewhere during the session, Alabbar was asked whether buildings could be constructed without human involvement within the next 8 to 10 years.

While acknowledging that such technology could become a reality, he expressed doubts about its full implementation.

The founder of Emaar said Chinese technologies are currently closer to achieving this goal than those of any other country.

He cited the example of a 15-storey building in Abu Dhabi that he said was constructed in just 12 days.

Alabbar claimed the building is twice as energy-efficient as conventional buildings and four times more earthquake-resistant.

He stressed that construction technology is advancing rapidly, but said he still found it difficult to envision a building constructed entirely by artificial intelligence without any human involvement.

Alabbar added: “Ultimately, people still have to put up the building. I cannot imagine a building constructed entirely by AI, although perhaps I simply do not know what the future holds.”