9 min
The Jumeirah Burj Al Arab is an icon of Dubai and a manifestation of the city's pride and glory from the olden days. With an intriguing story behind the construction that lasted 5 years and an exciting legacy that speaks volumes 25 years after its inception, the Jumeirah Burj Al Arab forever changed the face of Dubai tourism!
Today, the hotel is synonymous with the Arabian hospitality and distinctive experiences that Dubai is best known for, with its legendary sail-shaped architecture becoming a symbol of the city’s ambitious growth. The structure stands on an artificial island off the shore of Jumeirah Beach, connected to the mainland by a private curving bridge, as a proud and undisputable symbol of Dubai’s ambitious evolution and luxury tourism offerings!
As Jumeirah Burj Al Arab celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, let us remember and reminisce a few of the most iconic moments that grabbed headlines, made history, and captured hearts.
Tom Wright's initial vision for the building, after being briefed, was sketched in pencil on a restaurant napkin as he was inspired by the sails of a passing ship. This led to the conceptualization of the distinctive design, which led the building to hold the title of the world's tallest hotel at the time of its completion, standing tall at 321 meters.
In 2004, the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project (DTRP) launched at Jumeirah Burj Al Arab and the neighboring Madinat Jumeirah, in collaboration with Dubai’s Wildlife Protection Office and with laboratory work provided by the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory.
Since then, the project has released more than 2,190 rescued and rehabilitated sea turtles safely back into the Arabian Gulf, with 88 of them monitored by satellite tracking.
The helipad has been an iconic venue multiple times by shattering the norms and turning into a platform to be remembered for the daring activities that have taken place 28 stories above sea level.
In 2004, Tiger Woods hit golf balls on Jumeirah Burj Al Arab’s helipad to mark the start of the Dubai Desert Classic, while the following year saw tennis legends Roger Federer and Andre Agassi play their infamous tennis match on the helipad ahead of the Dubai Duty Free Championships.
In 2013, Formula One legend David Coulthard did “doughnuts” on the helipad in the Infiniti 750bhp F1 car. 2017 saw Danish kitesurfer Nick Jacobsen break records when he jumped off the helipad with his kiteboard and heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua sparred with boxing guru Seb Eubank in a makeshift boxing ring.
Even during the worldwide lockdown in 2021, legendary DJ David Guetta streamed a live set from the helipad as part of his United at Home global tour.
From al fresco dining and sky-high yoga to skydiving and landing on to the helipad, this magnificent circle atop the glorious Jumeirah Burj Al Arab symbolizes the worldwide identity Dubai lends to the world of sports and art.
The Skyview Bar, perched atop the sail, is a haven for those who love to drink with a view in crystal-clear luxury.
Renowned Czech glass artisans Lasvit designed 210 crystal installations exclusively for Jumeirah Burj Al Arab in 2007, for which 210 pieces were created, and no two were identical. Once again, in 2008, the building made global news as the Skyview Bar served up the world’s most expensive cocktail for AED27,321, featuring a 55-year-aged Macallen single-malt whisky served in an 18-carat gold souvenir tumbler.
Their SAL restaurant opened in 2020 and was an instant must-visit dining destination, thanks to its ‘Mirror Box’ dining room.
The innovative, unique design showcases the stunning views of the Arabian Gulf, the 100-metre infinity pool, and Dubai's skyline. Alongside SAL, their fine-dining restaurant Al Muntaha, meaning ‘the ultimate’ in Arabic, was awarded its first Michelin Star in 2022. Serving up the finest in French and Italian cuisine from acclaimed Chef Saverio Sbaragli, the stunning restaurant located on the 27th floor continues to retain the accolade year after year.
Oozing luxury yet never forgetting its heritage, the Jumeirah Burj Al Arab exudes the pride and prestige of the Arab world with every minute design and detail.
During a spectacular New Year’s Eve celebration, Jumeirah Burj Al Arab ushered in 2024 by setting a new world record for the first 360-degree drone show around a single building. The show featured 1,500 drones that created a 300-metre-long Chinese dragon circling the iconic hotel. The incredible artworks all over the hotel, the impeccable service that is regarded and studied globally, and the exemplified pinnacles of Arab hospitality make it one of the world's many wonders!
The construction of the Jumeirah Burj Al Arab is a story, a case study, and a lesson - a fable of how leaders and pioneers crafted a beacon that symbolizes the culture, heritage, and grandeur of the nation. Let's take a stroll down memory lane on how this fascinating structure came to be!
Drafted and built over many phases, this iconic piece of Dubai was always intended to be a perfect creation. With the overall structure formulated by world-famous British architect Tom Wright, the interiors designed by British-Chinese designer Khuan Chew, the construction led by South African contractor Murray & Roberts, the work supervised by Canadian engineer Rick Gregory, and the helipad imagined by Irish architect Rebecca Gernon, the world truly came together to bring this masterpiece to reality!
Burj Al Arab Island Base Construction
The construction of the base island took almost three years to complete, as it was specially designed to reduce the impact of waves and solidify the foundation. The need to create a stable foundation on the offshore site was a major engineering challenge, overcome by driving over 200 concrete piles into the sand beneath and an immense concrete raft weighing 70000 tonnes.
Phase 1 Construction
Built in the shape of a dhow's sail to reflect Dubai′s seafaring heritage combined with a modern aspect of charging into the future, the work demanded 2000 construction workers during peak periods to ensure completion on time without compromising quality. The Australian-designed Cantilever Top Climbing Jump Form system was used for the core area, as the planned shape posed many obstacles to traditional construction methods.
Iconic Dhow Sail Beam arrives at the site
The Jumeirah Burj Al Arab literally means ‘the tower of Arabs’, adding a protective elegance to the building’s stance as it soars out of the turquoise shore, keeping a proud watch over Dubai’s dazzling cityscape. Any resident can wax lyrical about the inexplicably fond feelings the building’s sail-like silhouette invokes, illuminated at night-time by twinkling lights and projections.
Phase 2 Construction
In the design, two wings spread in a V to form a vast mast of the dhow, while the space between them is enclosed in a massive atrium. One interesting aspect that has made it stand out is that the facade made using double-layered, Teflon-coated fiberglass not only provides structural support but also reflects the changing colors of the sea and sky.
Unique Interior Design
The hotel's interiors were meticulously planned in segments, focusing on the concept of the four elements: earth, air, fire, and water, while also exploring Arab poetry, science, and astronomy. The architectural wonder that was created over many years never made a misstep but enhanced the incredible ambition behind the project to higher benchmarks. In short, the Burj al Arab is a symbolic link between Dubai's maritime past and the cosmopolitan city the emirate has become.
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