KEY POINTS:
More than 1000 shops will open in a 5000 metre tower in three months.
Emaar Properties, the United Arab Emirates developer of Burj Dubai, is planning to open around 1200 shops in the Dubai Mall within the building during August.
These are expected to include Versace, Burberry, Hugo Boss, Loewe, Hermes, Givenchy, Cerruti and Escada.
Greg Sang, a New Zealander, is the project manager of the tower, which is due to be finished next year.
He says Burj Dubai should have a lifespan of at least a century.
About 3000 workers are on the project at any one stage, rising to 5000 at the peak of construction, he says. About 30 contracting companies and 10 cranes are on the site.
The tower reached 629m this month and Emaar will open an observation deck in the building.
* This article earlier incorrectly stated that the tower would be the world's tallest man-made structure
