Dubai has made its way into countless headlines and social media posts for a good reason. It’s home to some of the world’s tallest and most striking buildings. What makes this even more impressive is that these architectural wonders sprang from the desert in just a few decades. From the Burj Khalifa to The Museum of the Future, here’s a round-up of the most famous buildings in Dubai.
1. Burj Khalifa
You can’t talk about Dubai without mentioning the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa. The iconic skyscraper stands at an impressive 828 metres and 160 storeys high, glittering over Dubai’s skyline.
Construction of the tower began in 2004 and was completed in 2010 by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the firm that designed the Willis Tower in Chicago, which previously held the record of the world’s tallest building.
The tower cost around US$1.5 billion to build, with the aim to shift from an oil-based economy to a tourism and service-based one.
Clearly, the tower served its purposes by attracting around 17 million visitors per year and appearing in blockbuster films like Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol.
Besides being a hot tourist destination, Burj Khalifa is also a real estate marvel. It’s home to 900 high-end residences, including the designer Armani Residences. Inhabitants get access to a whole gamut of luxury amenities, such as indoor and outdoor swimming pools, valet and concierge services, jacuzzis, a fitness centre, and a recreation room for events and gatherings.
The prestigious address, along with its prime location in Downtown Dubai, makes the apartments for sale in Burj Khalifa popular among savvy investors.
2. Burj Al Arab
The sail-shaped luxury hotel is recognized worldwide for its unique architecture and opulent decor. It’s gilded with 24-carat gold interiors and features a 21,000-crystal Swarovski chandelier.
Living up to its reputation as one of the most luxurious hotels in the world, Burj Al Arab welcomed celebrities like Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid, Selena Gomez, and tennis champion Roger Federer.
Construction of Burj Al Arab began in 1994 and was completed in 1999. It’s built on a dedicated man-made island and took 3000 companies and contractors, 3,500 workmen, and 250 designers to complete. No wonder it’s one of the most iconic buildings in Dubai.
3. Museum of The Future
One of the most beautiful buildings in Dubai, the Museum of The Future’s facade consists of 1,024 stainless steel plates manufactured by robotic assistance and embellished with Arabic Calligraphy spelling a poem by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The museum’s unique design was behind its recognition by National Geographic as one of the 14 most beautiful museums in the world. It opened on February 22, 2022, and welcomed over 1 million visitors from 163 countries in its first year.
4. Dubai World Trade Center
The Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), formerly known as the ‘Sheikh Rashid Tower’, was one of Dubai’s first skyscrapers, opening in 1979 for events and exhibitions. Exhibition and event spaces cover 1.3 million square feet of the project. The building is so significant to the UAE’s development that it’s featured on the 100 dirham banknote.
The 184-metre 38-storey tower graces Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai’s financial district. It also has residential units, and the Dubai World Trade Centre apartments for rent offer a variety of luxurious amenities.
5. Dubai Mall
Dubai Mall, one of the world’s largest malls and one of Dubai’s main attractions, opened on November 4, 2008, in Downtown Dubai and has been attracting visitors from all over the world since then.
It covers 5.9 million square feet and has over 1,200 shops, as well as plenty of attractions like the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, VR Park Dubai, Reel Cinemas, and KidZania.
Want to live near this iconic attraction? Explore the many apartments for rent in Downtown Dubai.
6. Atlantis, The Palm
The highlight of Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis is home to about 1,500 rooms, the record-breaking Aquaventure Waterpark, the Lost Chambers Aquarium, which features 65,000 marine animals, and a celebrity chef-backed restaurant.
Atlantis The Palm opened in 2008 and was the first resort to be built on the island. It boasts a unique design inspired by the myth of Atlantis and incorporates some Arabic elements.
7. Atlantis, the Royal
The sister hotel of the original Atlantis The Palm, Atlantis The Royal, opened on February 10, 2023, on Palm Jumeirah. In true Dubai fashion, it had a grand opening featuring an invitation-only concert by Beyonce and VIP guests, including celebrities and influencers.
The hotel stands 43 storeys tall and features 795 rooms, 17 dining destinations, wellness facilities, one-of-a-kind attractions, a beach, numerous pools, and access to the Aquaventure Waterpark.
The five-star property is distinguished by its unique architecture, which was designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates. It consists of two buildings, a hotel, and residences, connected by a spectacular Sky Bridge.
The Royal Atlantis apartments for sale exude luxury, with stunning sea views, amazing facilities, and premium decor.
8. Cayan Tower
An iconic building in Dubai Marina’s skyline, Cayan Tower is a 73-storey, 306-metre-tall architectural marvel. This skyscraper, formerly known as the Infinity Tower, is notable for its twisting shape, which was created by rotating each level 1.2 degrees around a cylindrical lift and service core. It’s one of the world’s tallest buildings with a 90-degree twist.
It has been designed by the same firm that designed Burj Khalifa. As a result, the Cayan Tower apartments for rent boast great features such as elegant interiors, an outdoor infinity pool, and a fully equipped gym.
9. Princess Tower
Another landmark in Dubai Marina, Princess Tower is one of the tallest buildings in the world, standing at a whopping 414 metres and 107 floors. The construction of Princess Tower was completed in 2012, and it was considered the world’s tallest residential tower at the time of its completion until it was overtaken by New York City’s 432 Park Avenue. As of 2023, Princess Tower stands as the third tallest building in Dubai, after Burj Khalifa and Marina 101.
True to its name, the top of the building consists of a dome that looks like a crown, adding to its regal appearance. It was developed by Tameer Holdings in a postmodern style that makes it stand out in Dubai Marina’s skyline.
The tower consists of 763 units and 957 underground parking bays. It comes with elite amenities such as indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a gym, a kids’ play area, a sauna, and an observation deck. The apartments for rent in Princess Tower come at a premium, but they’re definitely worth it!
10. Emirates Towers
This twin-tower complex adorns Sheikh Zayed Road and is a remarkable symbol of Dubai. It consists of the 354.6-meter Emirates Office Tower and 309-metre Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel.
Construction began in 1996 and was completed in 1999, while the towers opened in 2000. The architect behind the complex was Hazel Wong, who conceptualised the unique equilateral triangles at the top of the buildings, which make them stand out to this day.
11. Dubai Frame
A famous attraction in Dubai, the Dubai Frame in Zabeel Park is 150 metres high and 95 metres wide. It was constructed in 2008, and as of 2023, it holds the record for the world’s largest frame. It offers views of old Dubai on one side and new Dubai on the other, connecting the emirate’s past with its present.
There’s an observation deck on the 48th floor, which visitors can reach in 75 seconds via an elevator. The building’s design was inspired by the ‘golden ratio’ of 1.618, which is said to form an ideal structural balance.
12. Jumeirah Beach Hotel
Yet another hotel reflective of Dubai’s marine life, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, is instantly recognizable with its wave-like form. It’s adjacent to the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab and has 598 rooms and suites overlooking the Arabian Gulf.
It offers unlimited access to Wild Wadi Water Park and has 5 swimming pools, a private beach, a kids’ club, and 12 bars and restaurants.
Jumeirah Beach Hotel was designed by Atkins; it opened in 1997 and underwent a massive renovation in 2018. It rises up to 104 metres and has 26 floors of total luxury.
13. Dubai Opera
Dubai Opera sits at the heart of Downtown Dubai, walking distance from Dubai Mall. It has 2000 seats and covers an area of 650,000 sq ft. The dhow-shaped building has been designed by Atkins and lead architect Janus Rostock with flexibility in mind. It can transform into three modes to accommodate different performances, from concerts and plays to conferences and ballet performances.
It was developed by Emaar Properties and took 3 years to construct, starting in 2013 and finishing in 2016. In addition to its impressive halls, Dubai Opera has a rooftop restaurant and sky garden overlooking the Dubai Fountain and Burj Khalifa. Want to live near this cultural landmark? Explore the apartments for rent in the Opera District.
14. Gevora Hotel
As of August 2023, Gevora Hotel holds the title of the tallest hotel in the world. The 4-star hotel soars at 356 metres and 75 floors, taking the tallest hotel record from JW Marriott Marquis Dubai when it opened in 2018. It was constructed over 12 years and cost over AED 500 million to build.
Located on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai International Financial Centre, Gevora Hotel has 528 rooms, 5 restaurants, a health club, and an outdoor swimming pool with a view of the city.
15. JW Marriott Marquis
Standing at 355 metres high, just 26 metres short of the Empire State Building in New York, JW Marriott Marquis was formerly the tallest hotel in the world before it was superseded by Gevora Hotel. As of August 2023, it’s the second-tallest hotel building in the world.
Construction of the 5-star hotel began in 2006, was completed in 2013, and cost AED 1.8 billion. JW Marriott Marquis consists of two twin towers that include 1,608 rooms, award-winning restaurants and lounges, an outdoor pool, fitness centre, and spa.
Arch Group Consultants, the architecture firm behind the project, designed the hotel buildings to resemble a date palm to honour Arab heritage. The buildings are placed on a seven-story podium to offer panoramic views of Burj Khalifa and Business Bay.
There you have it, a round-up of 15 iconic buildings in Dubai. Of course, there are many more jaw-dropping structures to admire, which is what makes this city stand out globally. Next time you want to spoil yourself at a fancy hotel, do something new on the weekend, or take some Instagram-worthy shots, you know where to go.
