Joanna James
From a tiny fishing village in the desert to a magnificent metropolis, the city of Dubai encapsulates material growth like no other place on earth. Home to the largest man-made building in the world among others, the city of Dubai is a city of architectural marvels.
Completed in 2010, Burj Khalifa is the highest construction on the planet. It stands at 2,722 feet and is a sign of grandeur and opulence. The design was conceived by Adrian Smith, an architect based in Chicago, at a cost of $4 billion. The shape of the building echoes Islamic architecture and indigenous desert flowers. Within the Burj Khalifa are the highest mosque and swimming pool in the world, while the uppermost spectator platform is on the 124th level. It is well-resourced with plenty of offices, apartment complexes, hotels, convention centres and various entertainment platforms.
The world's only 7-star construction is located on a man-made island close to Jumeirah Beach and took three years to finalise its construction. The building, at 321 metres in height, has 202 luxurious suites, including a two-storeyed 'Royal Suite'. Burj Al Arab also happens to be the most snapped construction in the world!
Cayan Tower is one of the biggest residential towers in the world. At 306 metres in height, it opened to the public in 2013. Its intricate architecture places it among the most prominent skyscrapers overlooking the Dubai skyline. The Cayan Tower has a complex twisted design, which is placed exactly at 90 degrees bereft of any structural columns.
This unique architectural masterpiece has 73 levels, while the rooms are designed to mitigate excessive sunlight penetrating its interior. The construction also lacks balconies to give additional shade from the harsh desert sun. Many hotels in Dubai Deira are within close range of the tower. The likes of Avani Deira Dubai Hotel are situated within easy access to this tower.
Dubai World Islands is a man-made archipelago of 300 islands, which is made to resemble the map of the world! It is located 4 kilometres away from the coast of Dubai. The islands are located 4 kilometres from the Dubai seaside and were built from dredged sand! The project underwent multiple challenges to complete its construction; nonetheless, at present, it remains a visual masterpiece and a testament to the skill of man's endeavours.
Considered the second largest mall in the world by land area, the Dubai Mall opened to visitors in 2008 and is one of the most visually lavish shopping malls in the world. It draws 750,000 sightseers each week and has continuously been one of the most visited sites on the planet. With over 1200 retail shops, 160 restaurants, and an incredible entertainment scene, it attracts locals and tourists by the millions every year. Spread across 13 million square feet, the Mall houses an aquarium, an underwater zoo, Rainforest Café, 22 cinemas, amusement parks, a skating rink, and an actual Airbus simulator that can land and even take off!
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