The UAE used its newfound wealth to put itself on the map as a luxury tourist destination. The city is home to magnificent feats of architecture such as:
- The first 7-star hotel – Burj Al Arab.
- The world’s tallest building – Burj Khalifa.
Burj Khalifa
- Top spot.
- Rising 2,716.5 ft. above ground level.
- 160-storey iconic tower.
- Tallest building in the world.
- Excavation for the project began in 2004.
- Building officially opened to the public in 2010.
The Skyscraper
An accurate representation of the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai to improve Dubai’s status as a globally acclaimed tourist destination.
Location
- Located in Downtown Dubai.
- City’s hottest tourist hub.
- Tallest free-standing structure in the world.
- Burj Khalifa is a valuable addition to the emirate’s real estate and tourism landscape.
- It serves as a mixed-use building.
Those living in Burj Khalifa’s luxury apartments have access to amenities like:
1. A swimming pool
2. Gym facilities
3. Sauna & steam rooms
Burj Al Arab in Dubai
- One of several popular buildings in Dubai
- 321-metre tall Burj Al Arab quickly became one of the city’s most recognisable buildings.
- Construction officially began in 1994.
Highlights
1. Took two years to create the island that the hotel sits on and three years to build the structure itself.
2. Project engaged more than 2,000 workers.
3. Over 250 designers from Dubai, the US and UK were part of the master plan.
4. 14 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
5. Almost 280 metres offshore.
Access
- Guests can access via a curving bridge that connects the standalone island to the mainland.
- Duplex suites offer astounding views of the Arabian Gulf.
Features
- The Royal Suite, features a full-sized jacuzzi, cinema room, master bathrooms and even a library.
- A self-styled 7-star hotel, it certainly lives up to its name as one of the most luxurious hotels in Dubai.
DWTC Building in Dubai
- Holds an important place in the city’s economic history.
- Historically known as the Sheikh Rashid Tower, the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).
- Played a vital role in the growth of the city’s business tourism and trade.
- Inauguration in 1979.
- Located adjacent to Sheikh Zayed Road in the heart of the emirate’s financial district.
- Purpose-built tower meant for exhibitions and conventions.
- Tallest building in the UAE from 1979 to 1999.
- Complex is still seen as a monument to the expansion of international trade in the Middle East.
Importance
- Featured on the AED 100 currency note in the UAE.
The DWTC Building
- Mixed-use development that covers over 1.3 million sq.ft. of event and exhibition space.
- Has residential properties, including serviced apartments and duplexes.
- Benefits like a swimming pool, jacuzzis and facilities for differently-abled guests.
Cayan Tower in Dubai
- Deserves a place in the Dubai famous buildings list.
- Tower’s eye-popping twisted shape is enough to make anyone take out their phone and start taking pictures.
- Standing 307 metres tall.
- Building’s impressive helical shape sets it apart from other skyscrapers in Dubai Marina.
- 75 floors were designed according to the same plan.
- Each level is rotated 1.2 degrees clockwise from the one below it.
- Building turns at 90 degrees over its entire length.
Structure
- Unique helix shape has a practical purpose.
- Curved design keeps the interior protected from direct sunlight while reducing the impact of strong winds.
- Located in Dubai Marina.
- One of the tallest residential buildings in Dubai.
- Available as furnished and unfurnished units, flats for rent in Cayan Tower come with the benefits like swimming pool access and a 24-hour concierge service.
Jumeirah Emirates Towers
- Twin-tower skyscraper
The Structure
- Features two towers, one of which is taller than the other.
- Towers have a distinct equilateral triangular shape.
- A covering of silver aluminium panels with copper and silver reflective glass.
Location
- Located on Sheikh Zayed Road in the centre of the city’s business district between the Dubai International Convention Centre and Exhibition Halls and DIFC Dubai.
The JW Marriott Marquis in Dubai
- One of the famous structures in Dubai.
- Featuring two towers with identical designs.
- Famous structure in Dubai.
- Built on a seven-storey podium.
The Buildings
- Includes 1,608 hotel rooms.
- 72-storey towers overlook the iconic Business Bay and Burj Khalifa.
- Has 15 award-winning F&B outlets, a business centre, rooftop bar, retail outlets, health club, gym, swimming pool, meeting rooms and an expansive banquet hall.
Structure
- Design depicts a date palm, as was intended by Archgroup Consultants, the firm that designed the project.
- First building of the twin-tower skyscraper was officially completed in 2013 while the other was finalised in 2014.
- Hotel held the distinction of being the tallest hotel in the world till 2018.
The Jumeirah Beach Hotel Building
- Depicts a breaking wave.
- One of the most iconic building designs in Dubai is that of the Jumeirah Beach Hotel.
Structure
- Design is hard to miss.
- Structure made a splash with onlookers when it opened in 1997.
- Massively tall, with a height of 341 ft.
- 26-storey structure stands 104 m high and 275 m long.
- Blue-plated glass gives the project a surreal fluidity, much like its inspiration – the breaking wave.
- Was designed by Atkins, the mastermind behind the Dubai Opera.
- Has a prime location on the beach with visitors.
- Having access to over 33,800 metres of sandy shore.
Princess Tower
- Famous skyscraper in Dubai
- Tallest building in Dubai is the Princess Tower.
- Developed by Tameer Holding Investment.
- 414-metre residential tower has 101 floors and six basement levels.
Highlights
- The famous tower in Dubai was once recognised by the Guinness World Records and the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitats (CTBUH) as the tallest residential building in the world.
- Was completed in 2012.
- Structure does not retain the status, it still evokes an air of awe.
The Buildings
- 763 residential units, including duplexes, penthouses, 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments.
- One of the popular buildings to buy duplexes in Dubai.
The Atlantis hotel at the Palm Jumeirah
- Has Arabic influences in its architecture.
- Atlantis, The Palm is the crown jewel of Palm Jumeirah.
- It secured Dubai’s position as a leading resort destination when it opened back in 2008.
- First luxury hotel on the man-made archipelago.
The Resort’s Look
- Based on the mythical Atlantis with a few Arabic elements visible in the architecture.
- Renting in Atlantis The Palm might be a bit pricy, but well worth the expense.
Features
- Around 1,500 rooms in two accommodation wings — including the West and East Tower that are connected via the Royal Bridge Suite.
- Home to the Aquaventure Waterpark and the popular Lost Chambers Aquarium.
- More than 65,000 marine species, including stingrays and sharks.
The Dubai Mall
- One of the largest malls in the world
- Spread across 5.9 million sq.ft. – the size of more than 50 football fields.
- A flagship mega-project by Emaar Properties.
- Opened in 2008 in Downtown Dubai.
- Located adjacent to Burj Khalifa.
- Became the city’s most visited entertainment destinations.
- Has an annual turnover of 80 million visitors.
- 1,300+ retail outlets.
- Home to the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo.
Features
1. A 250-room luxury hotel
2. An Olympic-sized ice rink
3. Two anchor department stores
4. Over 200 F&B outlets.
5. A Reel Cinemas multiplex at the second level – featuring 26 screens.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Name some of the Dubai’s most iconic buildings?
Some of the Dubai’s most iconic buildings include:
Burj Khalifa
Jumeirah Emirates Towers
JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Burj Al Arab
Princess Tower
2. Describe briefly about The Dubai Mall.
The Dubai Mall is:
- One of the largest malls in the world
- Spread across 5.9 million sq.ft. – the size of more than 50 football fields.
- A flagship mega-project by Emaar Properties.
- Opened in 2008 in Downtown Dubai.
- Located adjacent to Burj Khalifa.
- Became the city’s most visited entertainment destinations.
- Has an annual turnover of 80 million visitors.
- 1,300+ retail outlets.
- Home to the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo.
Features
1. A 250-room luxury hotel
2. An Olympic-sized ice rink
3. Two anchor department stores
4. Over 200 F&B outlets.
5. A Reel Cinemas multiplex at the second level – featuring 26 screens.
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