Burj Al-Arab – Dubai, UAE
Building: Burj Al-Arab
Location: Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai, UAE
Client: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum
Started: 1994
Completed: 1999
Area: 111,500 m2 (1,200,000 ft2)
Height: 321 m (1,050 ft)
Cost: $1 Billion (US Dollars)
Architect: Tom Wright
Supporting Architect: W.S. Atkins & Partners
Structural Engineer: W.S. Atkins & Partners
MEP: DSE Engineering Group
Developer: Jumeirah Group
AE Interests: The whole building is made on an artificial island which took three years to develop. The builders drove 230 40-metre-long (130 ft) concrete piles into the sand by drilling method. Among many luxuries, it also has one of Dubai’s highest helipads. Additionally, it used to have the worlds largest atrium at 180 m. The hotel was specially designed there to avoid covering the beach with its shadow. Additionally, the shape of the structure is designed to resemble dhow‘s (a traditional Arabic ship) sail to reflect Dubai′s seafaring heritage combined with a modern aspect moving forwards into the future.
*Revised by Zahra Bhora on September 2, 2009
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