Architecture of Dubai - The City's 10 Most Beautiful Structures

The Architecture of Dubai has envisaged a rapid transformation from a fishing village in the past to the global business hub today. From low lying buildings in the past - to being home to world’s tallest building and world’s largest shopping mall, Dubai has indeed earned the status of being the Most Expensive City of the Middle East.

We've listed out the Top 10 Architectural Wonders of Dubai below

1. The Burj Khalifa: The Tallest Building in the World

The  Burj Khalifa, standing 2,722 feet tall, is nothing but a symbol of magnificence and the grandeur of the city of Dubai. Completed in 2010, the 160 storey building, provides its people with jaw-dropping views of the entire city.

Facilities at the Burj Khalifa
Designed by Chicago based architect Adrian Smith at a whopping amount of $ 4 billion, the building comprises of world’s highest mosque, highest swimming pool and the uppermost viewing platform, the 124th floor. The building is well equipped with varieties of shops, offices, residential sectors and entertainments venues.

Architecture
The building's shape reflects Islamic architecture and is said to be inspired by the indigenous desert flowers. All this makes Burj Khalifa one of the best pieces of architecture in Dubai.

Location - 1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd

2. Burj Al Arab: Symbol of Luxury

The Burj Al Arab is a 7-star property situated on a human-made island near the Jumeirah Beach. The building is home to 202 lavish suites including the two storeys ‘Royal Suite’. Being one of the most iconic monuments of the city, Burj Al Arab has bagged the title of the most photographed building of the world.

Facilities at the Burj Al Arab
This majestic 7-star hotel features a Skyview bar, an underwater restaurant, and an outdoor tennis court. The 321 metres tall building is well lit at night, making people go in complete awe of its beauty.  

Location Off Shore
Located on an artificial island, the hotel is at an approximate distance of 280 metres off the shore.

Architecture
To ensure a solid foundation, engineers had to drive around 240 metres of concrete piles into the underlying sand. The surprising element of this building is that it has a ground layer of rocks with concrete honeycomb encirclement to protect the foundation from erosion. This honeycomb structure adds to the strength of the building, enabling it to stand firmly on the artificial island above the sea.

One in the World
Overall, the world’s only seven-star hotel - took almost three years to complete. All this makes the Burj Al Arab, one of the most exquisite pieces of architecture of Dubai and also the world.

Location -  Jumeirah St

3. Cayan Tower: The Building with a Twist

The world’s most massive residential tower with a height of 306 metres is a sight to behold. Completed in 2013, the Cayan Tower is one of the eye-catching tower found in Dubai.

Architecture
The Cayan Tower is very intricately created with a twist in its structure by a whopping 90 degrees without any structural pillars.

Facilities at the Cayan Tower
This architectural masterpiece of Dubai has 73 storeys with rooms designed in such a way that ample of sunlight is mitigated. The apartments lack balconies to provide additional solar shading.

Location -  1202, Al Barsha Heights, Teacom, Dubai Marina

4. The World Islands: World Inspired Man-Made Islands

An artificial archipelago, consisting of 300 human-made islands roughly made in the shape of the world map, is situated 4 kilometres off the coast of the city of Dubai.

Architecture
The World Islands is created from dredged and reclaimed tonnes of sand, which is in itself a very creative idea envisioned by the architects. Although the project faced several challenges in its construction, is a visual site to behold for everyone.

Why is it called the World Islands
Seven islands are symbolising the seven days continents of the world. Till 2016, a total of 6 islands have been completed. The site is also surrounded by over breakwaters.

View from the Burj Khalifa
The World Islands can be viewed in the shape of the globe through either space or from the highest viewing point in the Burj Khalifa. This Architectural Wonder of Dubai is an eye-catching delight for tourists from all over the world.

5. Atlantis, The Palm: The 5 Star Luxury Property

Standing at the apex of Jumeirah beach, Atlantis is one of the most famous hotels in Dubai. This extravagant hotel was built in 2008 and since then has been a top spot for all the tourists visiting the city.

Architecture
Designed by Wimberly, Allison, Tong and Goo, the hotel has a vast number of 1539 rooms spread across the East and West Wing, which is connected by the Royal Bridge Suite.

Facilities at the Atlantis
With rooms designed to provide guests with world-class facilities, the ‘Underwater Suites’ is the main highlight of Atlantis, the Palm. From lip-smacking food to an attractive discotheque, Atlantis is indeed the ultimate destination for tourists from all over the world.

Aqua-life
Atlantis is home to 65,000 species of marine animals and provides for a variety of adventurous activities like scuba diving or swimming with the dolphins. Most travellers consider that Atlantis has one of the best Architecture of Dubai.

Location – Crescent Road

6.  The Dubai Mall: World’s Largest Mall

The Dubai Mall opened its doors for the public in 2008 and is by far the largest shopping destination for people all over the world.

Facilities at the Dubai Mall
The mall on an average attracts 7,50,000 visitors every day with over 1200 shops and 160 restaurants. The mall is not only shoppers’ favourite but also an all-time favourite spot for entertainment by the locals as well as the tourists.

Excitements at the Mall
Spread over an enormous 13 million square feet, the Dubai Mall has a wide variety of luxury brands for shoppers as well as has an aquarium, underwater zoo, Reel Cinemas, Rainforest Café and much more. With exciting offers and restaurants providing with delicacies, the Dubai Mall is no doubt everyone’s favourite.

Location – Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashed Boulevard, Downtown Dubai

7. The Opus: The Building that Never Sleeps

Created by the world-famous architect Zaha Hadid and the Omniyat properties, The Opus, is beautifully designed to provide luxury apartments to people with stylish interiors to give home – away – from – home sensibility.

Opus Facilities
The Opus is home to residential properties as well as commercial buildings including the Spanish Luxury Hotel – ME. This lavish hotel with 93 rooms comprises of 15 bars and restaurants with world-class facilities for all its guests. Located near the Burj Khalifa, the cube-like tower is used for commercial and retail development Envisioned by the Pritzker Prize Winner - Zaha Hadid, this multipurpose project is another masterpiece of the architecture of Dubai.

Location – Opposite Business Bay Metro Station

8. The Jumeirah Beach Hotel

Near Burj Al Arab, the Jumeirah Beach hotel is one of the oldest hotel located on the Jumeirah beach.

Jumeirah Beach Hotel Amenities
The Jumeirah Beach Hotel is a renowned and famous hotel with 599 newly renovated ocean – view rooms, 19 traditional Arabian Style Villas, 13 refreshed restaurants, bars and cafes, five swimming pools and private beach.

Waterpark Access
The Jumeirah Beach Hotel is near Wild Wadi Waterpark and hence, all guests are given the facility of unlimited access to the waterpark.

Added Facilities
Gym, spa, jacuzzi, steam room and kids’ corner are some of the additional attractions of the hotel.

Architecture
Launched in 1997, the Jumeirah Beach Hotel is spread across a large area of 33,800 square metres. The 93 - metre high building, is the 9th most significant building of the city. This hotel adds on to the beauty of the architecture of the city.

Location – Jumeirah St

9. Fairmont Dubai: The Heart of Dubai

The Fairmont is a luxury hotel that was established in Dubai in 2002.

Architecture
The hotel’s construction and infrastructure take inspiration from the Islamic architecture of Dubai.

Convenient Location
It is just 10 minutes away from the Dubai Mall, the Burj Khalifa and the Jumeirah Beach. The hotel is strategically located in the heart of the city, making all the tourist destinations of the town in its proximity.

Nearby Attractions
Few metro stations away from Fairmont are the Mall of Emirates which is another major tourist spot. The hotel is opposite the Dubai International Convention Centre and World Trade Centre, garnering economic importance to the hotel.

Facilities at Fairmont
The hotel has meeting spaces on the 33rd floor along with 394 guestrooms, suites and penthouses for the lavish stay of the guests.

Location – Sheikh Zayed Road

10. Movenpick Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel: Inspired from the Ancient History

Movenpick Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel is an Arabian style hotel is a visual treat for all the tourists, named after the 14th - century traveller Ibn Battuta.

Convenient Location
The hotel is near the Ibn Battuta Shopping Mall, the Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Mariana.

Architecture
The hotel comprises of 396 rooms and suites, all intricately designed by taking inspiration from the travels of Ibn Battuta.

Facilities at Movenpick Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel
The hotel has not only lavish rooms but also mouth-watering cuisines at its disposal for its guests. The additional facilities of the hotel include; rooftop swimming pool, gym, spa, complimentary access to the beach and also transfers to Private Beach Club on Palm Jumeirah. The considerable conference halls, and kids’ games corner are another add on to the facility for the guests.

Location - Garden Cross Road, Adjacent to Ibn Battuta Shopping Mall.

The Architecture of Dubai reflects its vast culture, heritage, and explosive growth and development of the city, making Dubai city undeniably exquisite with some of the world’s best architectural wonders.