The Craziest Skyscrapers in Dubai

In a city known for its dizzying supertowers, here are some of the best

May 12, 2017

There is certainly no shortage of sky-high buildings in Dubai. As the Emirati city has become a global hub for commerce, its skyline has swelled exponentially, with new, envelope-pushing buildings constantly being added. Numerous Dubai towers have, at various points in the past 15 years, claimed the title of tallest building in the city; however, this competition has stalled since 2004, with the completion of the famous Burj Khalifa, the current record holder for tallest building in the world. While many of these towers reach above the clouds, we set aside height requirements to select the most structurally interesting edifices on the skyline. Click through for a virtual tour.

Tom Dulat
1/8
The Burj Khalifa
The undisputed star of Dubai's skyline, the Skidmore, Owings & Merrill–designed Burj Khalifa stretches taller than any other building in the world (though it's set to be overtaken by Santiago Calatrava's upcoming project a few blocks away), topping out at 2,717 feet. While the tower was originally dubbed the Burj Dubai, construction stalled when the project ran out of money partway through, and a bailout by Abu Dhabi sheikh and UAE President Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan resulted in a rename in his honor.
2/8
Dusit Thani
Situated along Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai's main thoroughfare, the hotel is meant to evoke hands held in prayer, a traditional Thai greeting. Completed by Khatib & Alami in 2001, the building stands 501 feet tall, practically a low-rise by the city's high-flying standards, and it was the first hotel in the Gulf countries to hold an EarthCheck Gold Certification for sustainability.

3/8
Burj Al Arab
This uber-luxe sail-shaped hotel, the only one to achieve a seven-star rating, sits on its own man-made island in Dubai's harbor. The exclusive property was completed in 1999, toward the beginning of Dubai's building craze, securing its place as a symbol of the city. It can be accessed via a private bridge or the hotel's helipad. The building was designed by Tom Wright, who originally envisioned a minimalist scheme for the interior; this plan was nixed by the owner, who opted instead for the current, over-the-top decor, which features lots of gold, red, and fountains, and includes a multifloor fish tank in the expansive lobby.
4/8
JW Marriott Marquis
Comprising two towers that each measure 1,165 feet, Dubai's JW Marriott is the world's second-tallest hotel (after Saudi Arabia's Abraj Al Bait). It was designed by Arch Group Consultants, and the two towers were completed in 2012 and 2013. The buildings' design is inspired by the date palm, an ever-present symbol in Emirati culture and design.

Jeff Greenberg
5/8
Rose Rayhaan
Before the completion of the JW Marriott, the Rose Rayhaan held the title of world's largest hotel. The Arabian Construction Co. designed the structure, which was completed in 2007, and it is one of Dubai's few hotels that is alcohol-free, in accordance with Islamic law.
Warren Little
6/8
Jumeirah Beach Hotel
Rising along the Dubai coastline like a wave about to crest, the Jumeirah Beach Hotel comprises 598 rooms and suites, 19 beachfront villas, and 20 restaurants and bars. Designed by WS Atkins and completed in 1997, it is now the 100th-tallest building in the city.

7/8
Cayan Tower
Twisting above the Dubai skyline, this 1,004-foot tower was also conceived by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the firm behind the more famous Burj Khalifa. Until the opening of the Shanghai Tower, the Cayan was the world's tallest high-rise with a spiral of 90 degrees.
8/8
Princess Tower
Dubai's current second-tallest building, the Princess Tower earned its moniker from the crownlike shell at its summit. It was designed by Eng. Adnan Saffarini and rises 1,356 feet above Dubai's Marina district. From 2012 to 2015, when it was surpassed by 432 Park Avenue in New York, the Princess Tower was the tallest residential structure in the world.