# Blue Area's 659-foot, 45-storey tower gets CDA nod, a 580-foot tower too

Source: Searchable (https://searchable.pk/news/property/blue-areas-659-foot-45-storey-tower-gets-cda-nod-a-580-foot-tower-too)
Type: News article
Author: Searchable Editorial
Published: 27 Oct 2026
Updated: 27 Oct 2026
Retrieved: 27 Oct 2026

> The Design Vetting Committee cleared five projects, including what would be among the tallest buildings ever proposed in Islamabad. Final approval still depends on safety, parking and structural checks.

**The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has given in-principle approval to a 45-storey mixed-use tower about 659 feet tall on Plot No. 13, Blue Area (F-8/G-8)**, which would be among the tallest buildings ever proposed in Islamabad, the authority said in a [press release](https://cda.gov.pk/cdaImagesGallery/cda-design-vetting-committee-grants-in-principle-approval-to-five-major-projects-including-two-high-rise-towers-of-up-to-659-feet-in-blue-area) dated 24 October. Its Design Vetting Committee, chaired by Member Planning and Development Muhammad Umair, cleared five projects in all, including a second Blue Area tower of **42 storeys and about 580 feet** on Plot No. 09 (F-9/G-9).

In-principle approval is not a building permit. CDA says every project must still meet planning rules, structural stability requirements, parking provision and fire and life-safety standards before it gets final approval.

## The five projects at a glance

| Project | Location | What CDA approved in principle |
|---|---|---|
| Mixed-use tower | Plot 13, Blue Area (F-8/G-8) | 45 storeys, about 659 ft, about 557,641 sq ft |
| High-rise tower | Plot 09, Blue Area (F-9/G-9) | 42 storeys plus service floors, about 580 ft |
| Tremezzo Mall | Bahria Garden City | Subject to technical observations |
| Plot No. 62 | Business Park, Gulberg Greens | Subject to technical observations |
| Plot No. 108 | Park Avenue North, Gulberg Greens | Subject to technical observations |

## Inside the 659-foot Blue Area tower

According to CDA, the Plot 13 building is planned with:

- **five basement levels** of parking;
- shops on the ground floor, with separate entrance lobbies;
- floors set aside for restaurants;
- residential apartments on the upper floors, and penthouses at the top.

The developers have not been named, and CDA has not published a construction timeline or apartment prices.

## Why CDA is pushing high-rises

The authority says it wants more high-rise buildings, modern commercial plazas and hotels of international standard in the capital, to bring in investment, create business space and attract tourists, while keeping Islamabad's green spaces. Chairman Sohail Ashraf said CDA would also speed up the building plan approval process. The approvals come a day before CDA [signed an MoU with Saudi investors](https://cda.gov.pk/cdaImagesGallery/pakistans-first-ever-theme-park-to-be-built-in-islamabad-mou-signed-with-saudi-investors) for what it calls Pakistan's first theme park in Islamabad, with CDA providing the land.

## What it means for buyers in Islamabad

If you are offered a flat or shop in a proposed tower, ask the developer for the CDA approval letter and check whether it is an in-principle approval or an approved building plan; only the second allows construction. Our [plot size converter](/tools/property/plot-size-converter) turns square feet into marla and kanal, and the [property tax calculator](/tools/property/property-tax-calculator) shows the tax on a purchase. CDA has also been [recovering state land in Malpur off Murree Road](/news/property/cda-takes-over-5-commercial-plazas-on-murree-road-in-islamabads-malpur-in-drive), most recently on 25 October.

## Frequently asked questions

**How tall is the new tower in Blue Area Islamabad?**

About 659 feet with 45 storeys, on Plot 13, Blue Area (F-8/G-8). CDA gave it in-principle approval on 24 October 2026; a second 42-storey tower of about 580 feet is planned on Plot 9.

**Does in-principle approval mean construction can start?**

No. CDA says each project must still meet planning, structural, parking and fire-safety requirements before final approval.

## Sources

- CDA Design Vetting Committee grants in-principle approval to five major projects, including two high-rise towers of up to 659 feet in Blue Area (24 Oct 2026) (Capital Development Authority): https://cda.gov.pk/cdaImagesGallery/cda-design-vetting-committee-grants-in-principle-approval-to-five-major-projects-including-two-high-rise-towers-of-up-to-659-feet-in-blue-area
- Pakistan's first-ever theme park to be built in Islamabad, MoU signed with Saudi investors (25 Oct 2026) (Capital Development Authority): https://cda.gov.pk/cdaImagesGallery/pakistans-first-ever-theme-park-to-be-built-in-islamabad-mou-signed-with-saudi-investors

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