Santiago Calatrava has designed a new Dubai high-rise for developer Emaar which will rival the Burj Khalifa.

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, gave the green-light to the design by the Spanish architect.

He said the structure in Dubai Creek Harbour will be a “unique masterpiece” according to a tweet from the Dubai Media Office.

The media office added: “His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has visited a new exhibition in Burj Khalifa dedicated to showcase designs for a new tower by Emaar in Dubai Creek area.

“Emaar’s Tower incarnates the greatness of the Islamic architecture with new technology.

“Sheikh Mohammed has described the new tower as a unique masterpiece that will be equally great and glorious as Burj Khalifa, and as popular as the French Eiffel Tower.”

Mohamed Al Abbar, chairman of Emaar, said that construction of the “cultural and touristic icon” would begin in a few months.

Al Abbar said: “The masterpiece tower will be a cultural and touristic icon. Construction will start in few months and its height will only be announced once the tower is officially open.”

The tower, one of the major regeneration projects for the Deira area of the city, has been designed by Calatrava a Spanish-Swiss architect, structural engineer, sculptor and painter, who has experience in working with projects including the World Trade Center Transportation Hub in New York, Chicago Spire Tower, Calgary Peace Bridge and the Olympic Sports Complex in Athens, among others.

The tower will be directly linked to the central island district of Dubai Creek Harbour with a 4.5 km creek boardwalk offering a wide range of retail, dining, and leisure and entertainment choices.

Emaar said the name and the height will only be announced when it is officially opened and no completion date or cost has been revealed.

Other projects in the area include four man-made islands are to be built just off the Deira coast, with beachfront resorts, hotels and residential communities.