Dubai's Newest Skyscraper Features (Very) Elevated Living and Penetron Waterproofing

The 350-m tall Al Habtoor Tower, the latest architectural highlight in Dubai, was inaugurated in September 2026. For one of the world's tallest residential skyscrapers, the builders specified PENETRON ADMIX, a crystalline waterproofing admixture, to ensure the durability of the building's below-grade concrete structures.

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Situated on the Dubai Water Canal in Al Habtoor City with a height of 350-m (1,155-feet), the Al Habtoor Tower is one of the world's tallest residential buildings. The skyscraper features three below-grade basement floors, a ground floor, and 85 residential floors, for a total built-up area of over 25,000 m² (>274,000 ft²).

Housed on 85 floors, the Al Habtoor Tower's 1,740 luxury apartments are available as one- (78-141-m²), two- (118-192-m²) and three-bedroom (162-229-m²) apartments. The largest and most luxurious units, the Ultra Residences and Sky Villas, occupy the top six floors. The tower features 24 high-speed elevators, the world's fastest, capable of traveling at 7 meters per second.

"As one of the world's tallest residential building, Al Habtoor Tower offers panoramic views of the Burj Khalifa, Business Bay, the Arabian Gulf, and Sheikh Zayed Road," adds Sam Annous, Managing Director of Penetron Saudi Arabia. "The tower also features the world's highest terraced gardens and multiple pool decks."

Al Habtoor Tower's extensive list of amenities includes a wellness spa, fitness gym, padel & tennis courts, numerous indoor/outdoor swimming pools, children's playground, library, event and networking rooms, concierge desk, and on-site restaurants.

At the beginning of construction, MAK Engineering, the project engineering consultants, and the China Railway 18^th Bureau Group, the general contractor, had the option of demolishing the basement. Instead, a top-down approach was used to pile down through the basement, utilizing 100-m deep Barette foundations, i.e. excavated rectangular piles as load-bearing elements used to resist large vertical and horizontal loads, while at the same time starting construction above ground. They set unprecedented benchmarks with six-day floor cycle times for construction of the above ground floors. Within just eight months, the team completed approximately six kilometers of Barrettes (90m deep shear walls) and one kilometer of circular piles.

"Due to the depth of the below-grade structures and the resulting groundwater pressure, a reliable concrete waterproofing solution was required to protect the massive tower's new below-grade structures," adds Sam Annous. "PENETRON ADMIX, a crystalline waterproofing admixture, was specified to protect the massive tower's raft foundation and retaining walls."

In the presence of moisture, the active ingredients in PENETRON ADMIX generate an insoluble crystalline formation, which prevents water and moisture from entering the microcracks, pores and capillaries of the concrete, even under high hydrostatic pressure. Cracks that develop during the lifetime of the concrete structures self-heal, resulting in permanent concrete protection.

The Penetron Group is a leading manufacturer of specialty construction products for concrete waterproofing, concrete repairs, and floor preparation systems. The Group operates through a global network, offering support to the design and construction community through its regional offices, representatives, and distribution channels.

For more information on PENETRON crystalline technology solutions, please visit www.penetron.com email: [email protected] or contact our Corporate Relations Department at 631-941-9700.

SOURCE The Penetron Group