The United Arab Emirates’ sparkling gem, Dubai, is known for its magnificent buildings and breathtaking skyline. From soaring skyscrapers to opulent structures that redefine luxury, Dubai is a haven for architectural marvels that capture the imagination of visitors worldwide.
In this blog, we will take you through The Top 10 iconic buildings that grace the Dubai skyline, each a testament to the city’s unwavering innovation, and grandeur.
Whether you are an architecture enthusiast, a curious traveler, or simply captivated by the charm of Dubai, join us as we explore the extraordinary landmarks that have come to define this vibrant city’s architectural landscape.
Dubai’s Top 10 Iconic Buildings
- Burj Khalifa
- Burj Al Arab
- The Dubai Mall
- Dubai Frame
- Museum of the Future
- Jumeirah Beach Hotel
- Jumeirah Mosque
- Dubai World Trade Centre
- Jumeirah Emirates Towers
- Atlantis The Palm
Burj Khalifa
As the tallest skyscraper in the world, this structure is not only one of Dubai’s most recognizable structures but also one of the most stunning structures on the planet. The 828-meter, 160-story skyscraper looms over the metropolitan skyline from most viewing locations.
It took six years, 22 million man-hours, and roughly $1.5 billion to build, and it opened in 2010. It also holds records for being the tallest free-standing structure, having the highest occupied floor and outdoor deck, and having the lift with the longest travel distance, among other distinctions.
It was created by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the same company that created New York’s One World Trade Center and Chicago’s renowned Willis Tower.
It has served in high-profile motion pictures, including Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol.
Burj Al Arab
Few Dubai structures are readily recognizable to an international crowd, such as this luxurious edifice in the shape of a sail that is the tallest all-suite hotel in the world.
The Burj Al Arab is located over 280 meters offshore and is 14 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Visitors can get there by a curving bridge that links the isolated island to the mainland.
It has the largest Swarovski crystal chandelier, with its 21,000 crystals, costing Dh1.3 million, and the most expensive cocktail, at Dh27,321 ($7,439), has been achieved by the Burj Al Arab.
The Dubai Mall
This shopping mall is renowned throughout the world not for its architecture but rather for its size, and expansion is currently under progress. It currently boasts around 1,300 businesses and 200 dining establishments.
Shoppers from other countries will feel right at home because The Dubai Mall is home to various international brands, including Galeries Lafayette in France, Bloomingdale’s in the United States, and Debenhams in the United Kingdom.
The center’s additional attractions include a virtual reality theme park, an Olympic-sized ice rink, and the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. You can observe the Burj Khalifa outside and take the synchronized Dubai Fountains.
Dubai Frame
One of the most well-known structures in the city is made of reinforced concrete, glass, steel, aluminum, and other materials. The Dubai Frame was only completed in 2018 and measures 150 meters tall and 95 meters wide. It provides views of Dubai’s ancient and new parts and acts as a metaphorical bridge uniting the emirate’s rich history with its stunning presence.
The Golden ratio of 1.618 inspired its rectangular shape, which builders and artists believe creates the ultimate structural equilibrium.
A 75-second elevator ride will get you to the sky deck inside the 48-story building, where exhibitions depict the city’s history.
Museum of the Future
The intricate and distinctive architecture of the city’s 78-meter-tall Museum of the Future, which is scheduled to debut this year, was created by Dubai firm Killa Design.
Its Arabic calligraphy-shaped windows were inspired by a poem on the city’s future written by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai. According to the architects, the low-carbon, stainless steel-clad, torus-shaped museum symbolizes Dubai’s unending energy and a glimpse of the future as we currently perceive it through exhibitions. In contrast, its elliptical void symbolizes the unknown.
There are different experiences on each particular floor. Immersive exhibitions on three floors cover topics including resource development for outer space, ecosystems, and human health. Future innovations intended to revolutionize the world will be displayed on other floors.
A floor is also available for kids to explore and solve challenges. The museum also has numerous lab spaces, a multi-use hall with a capacity of 1,000 people, and a lecture hall with a capacity of 345 people.
Jumeirah Beach Hotel
The Jumeirah Beach Hotel has a wave-like design that instantly recognizes from any postcard or Instagram post from the area, making it almost as well-known as the Burj Al Arab’s sail-shaped structure.
The hotel, which opened in 1997, reopened in 2018 following a long restoration that required it to be closed for five months. In the words of the Jumeirah Group, the end product was “a contemporary and yet inviting atmosphere, with white, gold and blue accents everywhere sharing a seamless link with nature.”
The Atkins-designed five-star hotel contains a climbing wall, more than 10 restaurants and bars, and 5 swimming pools, and it is amidst the renowned Wild Wadi Waterpark. Over the years, it has hosted numerous VIP visitors.
Jumeirah Mosque
Even if Dubai’s super-tall skyscrapers may be its most well-known landmarks, its religious structures shouldn’t be disregarded because, frequently, they are works of art in architecture.
The Jumeirah Mosque on Beach Road is particularly well known since it provides guided tours six days a week for anyone looking to learn more about Islam and daily life in the UAE.
The Fatimid Caliphate of Syria and Egypt is reflected in the architecture of the white stone building. The only mosque in Dubai that welcomes non-Muslims is this one. Its intricate architecture and design are even more spectacular when lit up at night. It is also one of the mosques in the UAE that receives the most photos. There is space for up to 1,500 worshippers.
Dubai World Trade Centre
The Dubai World Trade Centre is the tallest in the world, with a height of 354 meters (1,165 feet). The building has 76 floors and was completed in 1979. The neighborhood is in the center of the city’s primary commercial and financial area, next to Sheikh Zayed Road, where similar developments like Downtown Dubai, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), and Business Bay are located. The DWTC building is a mixed-use structure with more than 1.3 million square feet of exhibition and event space. It also has residential properties, such as duplexes and serviced apartments. There are several apartments for rent in Dubai, at the World Trade Centre, with benefits like a swimming pool, jacuzzis, and facilities for differently-abled guests.
Jumeirah Emirates Towers
Jumeirah Emirates Towers is located on Sheikh Zayed Road in the center of the city’s business district between the Dubai International Convention Centre and Exhibition Halls and DIFC Dubai. Construction of the towers commenced in 1996, with the hotel officially opened to the public in 2000.
Symmetry isn’t exactly what architects always envision while creating some of Dubai’s most famous buildings. Jumeirah Emirates Towers is one of them. The structure features two towers, one taller than the other. The towers have a distinct equilateral triangular shape and a covering of silver aluminium panels with copper and silver reflective glass.
The structure is built according to traditional Islamic themes and features a 309m hotel tower and a 355m office tower. A central podium known as The Boulevard connects the buildings.
Atlantis The Palm
One of Dubai’s most iconic hotels, Atlantis The Palm, is on the Palm Jumeirah. The hotel offers 18 restaurants and bars and 1,537 rooms and suites.
Kerzner International Holdings LLC created the resort, which debuted in 2008. Moorish architecture may be found in Atlantis The Palm, created by Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo (now known as WATG). Atlantis The Palm won the International Architecture Festival’s “Best Hotel Architecture” award in 2010. Aquaventure Waterpark, which has more than 20 rides and attractions, and the well-known Lost Chambers Aquarium, which has more than 65,000 aquatic species, were also located in addition to the luxurious hotel.
We hope you were amazed by the striking designs and breathtaking views of these iconic structures that stand tall as the epitome of Dubai’s boundless initiative and architectural wonders.
If you like this article, share this article and spread your love.
Frequently Asked Questions
The list of Dubai’s most iconic buildings includes:
• Burj Khalifa
• Jumeirah Emirates Towers
• JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
• Burj Al Arab
• Princess Tower
You may think Burj Khalifa is the only highlight, but there are several other popular structures in the city, such as:
• The Marina Torch
• Almas Tower
• Gevora Hotel
• Hotel Raffles Dubai
If you’re looking for a place to call home in the emirate, there are several properties for rent in Dubai. Those visiting the city can check out these top-rated tourist attractions in Dubai that contribute to the emirate’s global standing and economy.
