Showing posts with label DUBAI. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DUBAI. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

TOP TEN DUBAI ARCHITECTURE

Burj Al Arab

The Burj Al Arab (Arabic: برج العرب, "Tower of the Arabs") is a luxury hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates managed by the Jumeirah Group and built by Said Khalil. It was designed by Tom Wright of WS Atkins PLC. At 321 metres (1,053 ft), it is the tallest building used exclusively as a hotel.[2] However, the Rose Tower, also in Dubai, which has already topped Burj Al Arab's height, will take away this title upon its opening in April 2008. The Burj Al Arab stands on an artificial island 280 metres (919 ft) out from Jumeirah beach, and is connected to the mainland by a private curving bridge. It is an iconic structure, designed to symbolize Dubai's urban transformation and to mimic the billowing sail of a boat.



Burj Dubai

Burj Dubai (Arabic: برج دبي "Dubai Tower") is a supertall skyscraper currently under construction in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. When it is completed in late 2008, it is predicted to be the tallest man-made structure in the world, as well as the tallest building by any measure. Scheduled for occupancy in September 2009, the building is part of a 2 km² (0.8 sq mi) development called 'Downtown Burj Dubai' and is located at the "First Interchange" (aka "Defence Roundabout") along Sheikh Zayed Road at Doha Street.
The building is being built mainly by a South Korean company Samsung, along with the Belgian company Besix and the UAE company Arabtec. It was designed by American Adrian Smith before he left Skidmore, Owings and Merrill LLP (SOM) of Chicago to start his own independent practice, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture in October 2006. However, SOM continues to lead the architectural, structural engineering and mechanical engineering of Burj Dubai. The total budget for the Burj Dubai project is about $4.1 billion US and for the entire new 'Downtown Burj Dubai', $20 billion US.



The Palm Jumeirah

The Palm Jumeirah is an artificial island created using land reclamation by Nakheel, a company owned by the Dubai government. It is one of three islands called The Palm Islands which will increase Dubai’s shoreline by a total of 520 km. The Palm Jumeirah is the smallest and the original of three Palm Islands (Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira) under development by Nakheel. It is located on the Jumeirah coastal area of the emirate of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).



Dubai Marina

Dubai Marina is a district in the heart of what has recently become known as 'new Dubai', in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is located at 25°4′52.86″N, 55°8′38.67″E on Interchange 5 between Jebel Ali Port and the area which hosts Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and the American University in Dubai. The first phase of this project has been completed.
The marina is entirely man-made and has been developed by the real estate development firm Emaar Properties of the United Arab Emirates. The marina will contain over 200 high-rise buildings and some supertall skyscrapers, Dubai Marina Towers, The Torch Dubai Marina, Infinity Tower, The Princess Tower, Number One Dubai Marina, Marina Terrace, Le Reve and Horizon Tower to name a few, and comprise of an area of 4.9 million m² (50 million ft²), which includes the 40 residential and hotel towers of the Jumeirah Beach Residence. Upon completion, it is claimed to be the world's largest man-made marina. The current largest man-made marina in the world is Marina del Rey in Los Angeles County, California, USA.



Roze tower

The Rose Tower is a 333 metre (1,093 feet), 72 story skyscraper on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE. This skyscraper, whose construction began in 2004, was to be 380 m (1,247 feet) high, but its projected height was reduced in further design modification. Even at this reduced height it will still become home the world's tallest hotel, Rose Rotana Suites, surpassing the Burj Al Arab at 321 m (1,053 ft), also in Dubai once it is occupied. As of October 24th 2006, the building reached its full height with the addition of the spire.



Emirates Office Tower

The Emirates Office Tower, also referred to as Emirates Tower One is a 54-floor office building along Sheikh Zayed Road in the city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Connected with the 56-floor Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel by a retail boulevard, they form what is commonly referred to as the Emirates Towers complex. The tower has a total structural height of 354.6 m (1,163 ft) and roof height of 311 m (1,020 ft) making it the 12th tallest currently-standing fully-habitable building in the world. Emirates Office Tower One is taller than Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel despite having two fewer floors. Construction was completed in November 1999.



21st Century Tower

21st Century Tower is a 55-story skyscraper along the Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai . At a height of 269 m (883 ft) it is the world's third-tallest residential building.
It was the world's tallest residential building when it was completed in 2003, but later the Eureka Tower in Melbourne, Australia and the Q1 tower in Australia's Gold Coast bumped it to its current position.
It is occupied by Cabin Crew members of Emirates Airline, and boasts a gym on the top floor and a pool on the roof.



Al Fattan Tower and Oasis Beach Tower

The Al Fattan Tower, also referred to as Al Fattan Tower One is a 51-floor residential tower in the Dubai Marina section of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This building stands right next to the Oasis Beach Tower in the Al Fattan Marine Towers complex. The tower has a total structural height of 245 m (804 ft) and roof height of 230 m (755 ft), making it currently the 7th tallest building in Dubai. Construction of the Al Fattan Tower was completed in 2006.
The Al Fattan Marine Towers, is a complex in the Dubai Marina section of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This complex consists of two twin towers, the Al Fattan Tower, and the Oasis Beach Tower. Both towers stand at an official height 245 m (804 ft) and roof height of 230 m (755 ft), making both towers currently the 7th tallest buildings in Dubai. Construction of both towers was completed in 2006



Park Place

Park Place, architecturally designed by an international team, will become a spectacular addition to the skyline on Sheikh Zayed Rd and is set to be the most exclusive city address for corporates and residents.
The 60-floor building, designed to harness the elements, will implement a heat refracting technology never used in the Middle East before, to assist in keeping the building cool, thereby saving money and reducing the effects of air conditioning on the environment.
The building will be sheathed in a 'second skin', protecting it from the heat generated by the fierce Arabian sun as well as channelling cooler air around the inner layer of the building.
Originally inspired by the shape of a perfume bottle that Mr Bin Drai came across ten years ago, the building has been designed by an Australian firm, Cox Architecture Planning Design, following a design competition between six top international architecture firms who competed to meet the brief.



10Grosvenor House West Marina Beach

Grosvenor House West Marina Beach is the first building completed and fully operational in the prestigious Dubai Marina.
Housing twelve restaurants and bars, Bar 44, located on level 44, offers views over the whole Dubai Marina.
This 5-star hotel, located in the Dubai Marina, officially opened on June 21, 2005.
This hotel, operated by Le Meridien, shares the beach facilities with the Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa, which is located just across Al Sufouh Road.

DUBAI OPERA HOUSE

We are surprised the closest architect Zaha Hadid has reached our radars is metonymic Dongdaemun World Design Park near the Teardrop post. This is an example of Zaha's work. This is her firm's recently-announced Dubai Opera House.


The reason I find this most amazing? Most of the popular buildings being built now, like Burj Dubai, Chicago Spire and almost any Gehry project is that it stands out from its surroundings.


See a city of bricks and glass? Throw a building that's all curved metal. Why put up a building when you could put up a building that twists? but there's something dreamy about Hadid's projects where she embraces the surroundings. Look at this project again.

This looks like a pile of sand dunes to me. It is being built on a new island off the city of Dubai (new islands are so the rage these days).


Inside this project, we find a 2,500-seat opera house, an 800-seat playhouse, arts gallery with 54,000 square feet of space (5,000 square meters), performing arts school and a themed hotel. Of course, everything's state of the art, as is the norm in Dubai these days. The island:
Here's the entrance to the opera house.


The interior will be just as amazing.



I can't get over how elegant and appropriate this project is. It's like an eroded mound sticking out of sand dunes. Jaw on floor.


Here are some more photos for your digestion. Construction on the island started in 2006, but we'll keep tabs as this project develops and is completed at an un-announced future date.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Snow in Dubai

During the construction phase...


All finished. Notice to the palm trees outside...


Remember, this is in the middle of the desert....

The very HOT desert where temperatures get up to 120 degrees...




The interior part view












Unbelievable! But true...

Sunday, June 7, 2009

largest Mall in the world

After last week’s delay in the planned opening, the largest Mall in the world, the Dubai Mall, finally opened it’s doors to the eager public today.

Quick Bites - Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre unveiled to the public at 4pm • Dubai Ice Rink; Gold Souk and the Fashion Catwalk also open • 30% of total gross leasable area dedicated to new brands to Dubai and flagship stores in one of the world’s largest lifestyle, entertainment and shopping destinations • Direct road access from Sheikh Zayed Road, Financial Street Road, Emaar Boulevard, Downtown Burj Dubai and new bridge off Interchange One

The future of shopping and leisure is here. The Dubai Mall, opens today (November 4, 2008) at 2pm with close to 600 retailers opening their doors for business – marking the world’s largest-ever single-day mall opening in retail history.

Emaar Malls Group, the developer of The Dubai Mall marks the opening with a series of high profile events, beginning with a public unveiling of the highly anticipated Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre at 4pm, today. The festive vibe will resonate throughout the mall with fashion shows taking place in the Fashion Catwalk, public skating at Dubai Ice Rink and high profile exhibits, galleries and performers providing entertainment for the entire family.

Besides its retail attractions including the Middle East debut of several global, high-profile brands such as Waitrose and Hamleys, The Dubai Mall has varied lifestyle and leisure offerings including a sprawling Gold Souk, the Olympic-sized Dubai Ice Rink and the multimedia-rich Fashion Catwalk atrium. The Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre is already in the global spotlight having clinched the Guinness World Record for the ‘World’s Largest Acrylic Panel.’

The Dubai Mall is centrally located in the Downtown Burj Dubai development – ‘the new heart of the city’ – just off Interchange One on Sheikh Zayed Road. Visitors can reach The Dubai Mall via multiple access roads from Sheikh Zayed Road, Financial Centre Road (previously called Doha Road), Emaar Boulevard, Downtown Burj Dubai, the newly opened bridge off Interchange One and through a direct access road near Emaar Square off Sheikh Zayed Road. The Dubai Mall will have a total of over 14,000 spaces for parking across three car parks, with valet services and a car locator ticketing system.

Sprawling over 12 million sq ft - equivalent in size to more than 50 soccer pitches – with an internal floor area of 5.9 million sq ft and a gross leasable area of 3.77 million sq ft, The Dubai Mall is the flagship development of Emaar Malls Group, the shopping malls subsidiary of global property developer Emaar Properties.

When fully operational, The Dubai Mall will have over 1,200 stores of which nearly 165 retailers – equaling 1.1 million sq ft, or 30% of the total gross leasable area of the mall - are either new to the region, or opening standalone or flagship stores for the very first time in Dubai. The retail mix includes two anchor department stores – Galeries Lafayette and Bloomingdale’s, both opening their first store in the Middle East at The Dubai Mall; 220 gold & jewellery outlets; 160 food & beverage outlets including Dubai’s largest food court with 40 outlets; a supermarket and an organic food mart.

Mr Mohamed Ali Alabbar, Chairman, Emaar Properties, said: “The Dubai Mall is Dubai’s tribute to the world of retail and leisure. With the mall, we have set a strong platform for growth for the retail sector, one that reflects Dubai’s forward-looking model of creating robust business opportunities for enterprises from around the world. The Dubai Mall is, indeed, a confident affirmation of the strong economic fundamentals of the Dubai economy.”

He added: “We are thankful to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai for encouraging us to stretch our business model, and create a shopping destination that is among the elite malls of the world. The Dubai Mall will address the world-class shopping needs of a population of over 2 billion people in the catchment markets of the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Europe.”

“The Dubai Strategic Plan envisages an annual GDP growth of 11 per cent and correspondingly a rise in per capita income,” said Mr Alabbar. “The Plan also aims to reach an annual target of attracting 15 million tourists by 2015. This in turn translates to greater purchasing power and a demand for world-class retailing. The Dubai Mall is a response to that demand and will be the choice retail and leisure destination regionally and a magnet for tourists across the globe.”

Mr Jim Badour, Chief Executive Officer, Emaar Malls Group, said: “With the opening of The Dubai Mall, we have the largest number of retailers together-ever for the first time in a mall opening. Malls, now, are not just destinations for shopping – they need to offer a complete experience, and with The Dubai Mall’s integrated offer of retail, leisure and entertainment, The Dubai Mall is positioned as the premier lifestyle destination that revolutionises shopping experiences globally.”

Mr Yousif Al Ali, General Manager, The Dubai Mall, added: “With The Dubai Mall, what matters is not the size but the qualitative difference that we offer to our visitors. All public areas of the mall are now open to customers, and we are readily positioned to cater for the key retail, tourist and festive periods marked by the UAE National Day, Eid Al Adha, New Year and the Dubai Shopping Festival.”

Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre will feature over 33,000 aquatic animals including sharks and rays, while the Discovery Centre is an educational window to marine life’s myriad attractions. The Gold Souk with 220 retailers is designed to reflect traditional Arab architectural ethos, and is a celebration of Dubai’s regional hub status in gold and jewellery trade.

Other attractions include The Grove, with its fully retractable roof, which will bring in an outdoor community feel with tree-lined walkways, a lifestyle retail mix and a mix of casual dining cafés and restaurants. The family entertainment precinct, opening in 2009, includes KidZania®, an 80,000 sq ft innovative children’s ‘edu-tainment’ concept, SEGA Republic®, a 76,000 sq ft high adrenaline indoor theme park and a 22-screen cineplex, the largest in Dubai.

The adjoining 5-star hotel, The Address, Dubai Mall and serviced residences will open in the first quarter of 2009, while the adjacent The Address, Downtown Burj Dubai, is now open. The mall’s extensive waterfront promenade will be lined with an array of themed cafés and restaurants, overlooking the spectacular Dubai Fountain and Burj Dubai, the tallest building in the world.

Emaar’s expansion into shopping malls is in line with its Vision 2010 to become one of the most valuable companies in the world. Emaar Malls Group has already opened Souk Al Bahar, a modern mall with Arabesque architectural features in Downtown Burj Dubai, and will open the Dubai Marina Mall, in the vibrant Dubai Marina in late 2008.

Interesting Facts – The Dubai Mall (as of November 2008)

  • Over 13,800 tonnes of structural steel has already been deployed to date – this alone amasses to more than the total amount of steel used in the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
  • External pre-cast works completed with over 2,600 pieces of external pre-cast erected.
  • Over 1.93 million sq ft of stone and tile works has been laid.
  • The Dubai Mall has a current man-power of 13,346.
  • The number of man hours clocked to date on The Dubai Mall is over 1.38 million.

About Emaar Malls Group LLC:

Emaar Malls Group LLC, is the retail and shopping mall subsidiary of Emaar Properties PJSC, a leading property developer based in Dubai, and drives its diversification into shopping malls. This is in line with Emaar’s Vision 2010 to become one of the most valuable companies in the world. Emaar has announced investments in shopping malls of over US$4 billion (AED 15 billion) with 10 million sq ft of retail property in operation or under development in the emerging markets of the Middle East, North Africa, the Indian Subcontinent and South Asia and is on target to become one of the largest developers of shopping malls in the world.

At the forefront of these developments is the flagship The Dubai Mall, one of the world’s largest malls in the heart of the Downtown Burj Dubai. Opening on November 4, 2008, The Dubai Mall will be a premier lifestyle and entertainment destination. Emaar Malls Group is also developing two other malls in Dubai; Souk Al Bahar, an Arabesque shopping and entertainment development on The Old Town Island which is now open, and the Dubai Marina Mall, a lifestyle shopping mall for residents of the Dubai Marina community opening in late 2008. Recently, Emaar Malls Group unveiled Cairo Gate, Egypt’s largest shopping mall and leisure destination at the Cairo-Alexandria Project site, a mixed-use development spread over 160 acres.

About Emaar Retail:

Emaar Retail is a wholly owned subsidiary of Emaar Malls Group LLC and is the vehicle for all retail operations. Emaar Retail is developing a portfolio of brands in key growth markets and is strategically building new alliances, joint ventures, franchises and licenses for all mall developments under the Emaar Malls Group umbrella.

Emaar Retail also manages the business operations for The Dubai mall’s leisure and entertainment brands including KidZania®, SEGA Republic®, the Olympic-sized ‘Dubai Ice Rink’ and Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre. Emaar Retail has also entered into a joint-venture with Cathay Organisation in Singapore, to form Reel Entertainment to develop cinemas across the region including the flagship 22-screen Cineplex at The Dubai Mall.

Emaar Retail was established to drive Emaar Malls Group’s developments in key emerging markets across the Middle East, North Africa and the Indian Sub-Continent through creating the right retail mix for the various markets.

About Emaar Properties PJSC:

Emaar Properties PJSC is one of the world’s largest property development companies and is rapidly evolving to become a global provider of premier lifestyles. Emaar Properties, which has a strong presence in 36 global markets, has expanded into shopping malls in line with its Vision 2010 to become one of the most valuable companies in the world through a two-pronged approach of geographic expansion and business segmentation. For more information, visit www.emaar.com.

The Dubai Mall - Photos from the opening of the Dubai Mall in Downtown Burj Dubai

The Dubai Mall - Photos from the opening of the Dubai Mall in Downtown Burj Dubai

The Dubai Mall - Photos from the opening of the Dubai Mall in Downtown Burj Dubai

The Dubai Mall - Photos from the opening of the Dubai Mall in Downtown Burj Dubai

The Dubai Mall - Photos from the opening of the Dubai Mall in Downtown Burj Dubai

The Dubai Mall - Photos from the opening of the Dubai Mall in Downtown Burj Dubai

The Dubai Mall - Photos from the opening of the Dubai Mall in Downtown Burj Dubai

The Dubai Mall - Photos from the opening of the Dubai Mall in Downtown Burj Dubai

The Dubai Mall - Photos from the opening of the Dubai Mall in Downtown Burj Dubai

The Dubai Mall - Photos from the opening of the Dubai Mall in Downtown Burj Dubai

The Dubai Mall - Photos from the opening of the Dubai Mall in Downtown Burj Dubai

The Dubai Mall - Photos from the opening of the Dubai Mall in Downtown Burj Dubai

The Dubai Mall - Photos from the opening of the Dubai Mall in Downtown Burj Dubai

The Dubai Mall - Photos from the opening of the Dubai Mall in Downtown Burj Dubai

The Dubai Mall - Photos from the opening of the Dubai Mall in Downtown Burj Dubai

The Dubai Mall - Photos from the opening of the Dubai Mall in Downtown Burj Dubai

The Dubai Mall - Photos from the opening of the Dubai Mall in Downtown Burj Dubai

The Dubai Mall - Photos from the opening of the Dubai Mall in Downtown Burj Dubai

The Dubai Mall - Photos from the opening of the Dubai Mall in Downtown Burj Dubai