| Gulf’s Top Ten Outstanding Towers |
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 The Gulf region has aggressively transformed itself into robust economic state and one of the world’s most attractive business hubs. The short time in which such a progression occurred is unprecedented in the history of human civilization.
Today, Gulf countries ,despite the economic downturn, are still challenging time. Indicating their accomplishments are megaprojects that have transformed the Arabian deserts into a dynamic modern economic nation, and one huge factor in this equation is towers. Alrroya.com takes a look at the Gulf’s Top Ten Outstanding Towers.
| Burj Dubai, UAE |
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In the midst of a persistent economic gloom and pessimistic outlooks, the world’s tallest tower rises to challenge all odds. Dubai’s 818-meter -tower is not only the tallest man-made structure ever built but also one of the few towers that has faced the obstacles of the financial crisis. The mixed-use tower is scheduled to open by the end of 2009 with 162 habitable floors.
Developed by Emaar, the total cost of the project is about $ 4.1 billion. The project’s architect Skidmore, Owings and Merrill Company have also designed Chicago’s Willis Tower and the World Trade Centre in New York.
South Kore’s Samsung Engineering & Construction is constructing the tower that has overtaken the world’s tallest, China’s Taipei 101 that is hailed as the one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Standing still, UAE’s Burj Dubai has entered history to be World’s tallest tower and one of the outstanding buildings ever built.
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| Al Hamra Tower, Kuwait |
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Al Hamra Project is a mix use development that incorporates a shopping center and an office tower centered in Kuwait City.
Designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merril the structure lays in a delicate, elegant twist of 412 meter height. This skyscrapper is the new astounding landmark under construction in Kuwait. It is developed by Al Hamra Real Estate, built by Ahmadiah contracting & Trading Company and owned by Ajial Real Estate. The $950 million project is expected to open by 2010.
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| Burj Mubarak Al Kabir, Kuwait |
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The 1,001 meter Burj Mubarak Al Kabir is the centerpiece of a proposed 250 square kilometer urban area in Subiya, Kuwait . It is scheduled to be completed in 2016 at a cost of $7.37bn.
Eric Kuhne, a british based firm has proposed the building and is currently in consultation with the Kuwaiti government.
The tower is themed after the Arabian fairy tale “One Thousand and One Nights” and although it is still on paper, its gaining increasing support from Kuwait leaders and politicians.
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Dynamic Tower, UAE
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Award winner Italian architect David Fisher is behind the factory-built 80-storey tower, also called the Da Vinci Tower. The project is still on paper, yet the Dynamic Towers has made it to ‘Time’s Magazine 50 Best Inventions’ for the year 2008.
The innovation lies in the rotation of each floor individually giving it a constant change in the appearance and view for residents.
The cost of this revolutionary 420 meter tower is estimated at $330 million. The project has gained international attention since its launch in a press conference in New York City 2008.
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| Nakheel Tower (Al Burj), UAE |
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Formerly known as “Al Burj”, the Nakheel Tower is one of the projects that strived to own the world’s tallest title.
The tower’s location plan has shifted from Palm Islands to Dubai Waterfront and finally next to Dubai Marina. The marketed 1,400 meter tower has been on hold for over a year but is expected to resume its work in 2010.
Designed by Woods Bagot, the cost and final height of the project has not been revealed, however the tower is expected to be the country’s pinnacle when completed.
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| Abraj Al Beit (Makah Royal Clock Tower), Saudi Arabia |
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The World’s tallest clock tower to be built in the holy city of Mecca surrounded by four more towers in an obelisk design.
King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz announced the the towers to the world in 2007. The megaproject is designed by Dar Al-Handasah and constructed by the Saudi Bin Laden Group.
The 595-meter Abraj Al Beit or Mecca Clock Royal Towers will be the tallest clock tower in the world when completed in 2010, beating Poland’s Palace of Culture and Science. It will also house the world largest hotel , and the world largest floor area of 1,500,000 square metres (16,137,600 sq ft) of floor space.
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| Dubai Towers, Dubai UAE |
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The stunning Dubai Towers project, centered in the Lagoons, is said to symbolise hope, growth, harmony and opportunity.
The $18 billion towers are designed by Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates and developed by Sama Dubai, and will be located in Dubai Creek , within the seven islands of the Lagoons.
400 meters is the projected height of the tallest of the Dubai Towers, which will serve as a mixed-use development. The project is on hold currently but expected to be completed in 2014.
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| Bahrain World Trade Centre, Bahrain. |
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The world’s most sustainable skyscraper “Bahrain World Trade Centre” is the first to combine wind turbines with architectural design.
Completed in 2008, the $150 million project won the 2006 LEAF Awards for Best Use of Technology within a Large Scheme as well as the Arab Construction World for Sustainable Design Award.
The project is 240 meters height and was designed by Atkins who, in collaboration with turbine specialist Norwin, successfully implemented the idea where 11-15 percent of the power would be provided to the two towers.
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| Lusail Twin Tower Doha, Qatar |
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The ‘smile-faced’ twin tower is a $500 million development of Qatar National Hotels, Located in the Marina district of Lusail City in Qatar. The 45 storey twin project is designed by US-based Haddi Samaan and is expected to be the largest project in Lusail city.
The project is designed to be a hotel as well as an entertainment centre with a two-floor shopping mall and is due for completion in 2010.
Lusail City , a new waterfront city developed by Qatar 15 km from Doha, is a $ 5.5 billion development that includes two marinas, residential areas, commercial districts, two golf courses, an entertainment district, shopping malls, mosques, schools and medical centers.
Lusail City is expected to provide accommodation for over 200 thousand people with its 25 thousand residential units.
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| Lagoon Towers (Zigzag Towers),Qatar |
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The world's largest "zig-zag" towers, the West Bay Lagoon Plaza, are the unique topped-out towers built adjacent to the Lagoon, known formally as the New District of Doha.
Mainly residential, the 168 meter towers are West Bay’s new waterfront. Developed by Noor Internationl for Dar Investment the project cost $228,260,000.
The West Bay district covers a large amount of real estate and was master planned by William L. Perreira & Associates of Los Angeles in the late 1970s.
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