At 2,717 feet tall, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) is currently the tallest building in the world. Completed in 2010, the skyscraper is three times as tall as the Eiffel Tower. It also holds six other world records, including the greatest number of stories, highest occupied floor, and tallest service elevator. It is one of 30 buildings taller than 1,000 feet in Dubai.
While Abu Dhabi isn’t so much known for its impressive skyscrapers as Dubai, the UAE capital city has four buildings that exceed 1,000 feet, three of which were built within the last decade. Below is a look at Abu Dhabi’s five tallest structures.
1. Burj Mohammed Bin Rashid (1,250 feet)
Completed in 2014, the 88-floor Burj Mohammed Bin Rashid is the tallest building in Abu Dhabi at 1,250 feet. It is the fifth-tallest skyscraper in the UAE, the eighth-tallest in the Middle East and 52nd-tallest in the world. Aldar Properties and Foster + Partners developed and designed the Burj Mohammed Bin Rashid. Structural engineering and MEP engineering support was provided by Halvorson and Partners and chapmanbdsp, respectively. Arabian Construction Company (ACC) was the main contractor.
The Burj Mohammed Bin Rashid is one of three skyscrapers comprising the World Trade Centre Abu Dhabi complex, along with the Trust Tower (912 feet) and Hotel Tower (837 feet). It took eight years to build and is named after the ruler of Dubai and UAE prime minister, vice president, and minister of defense. Mohammed Bin Rashid has been prime minister and vice president since 2006.
A luxury residential space, the building has more than 470 residential units and more than 33,800 square meters of gross leasable area. It also has amenities such as a fitness center, health club, recreation hall, and kids’ play area.
2. ADNOC Headquarters (1,122 feet)
The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) owns the second-tallest skyscraper in Abu Dhabi. The ADNOC Headquarters is a 75-story, 1,122-foot tall building with 1.9 million square feet of space. It serves as a symbol of ADNOC’s position as one of the preeminent petroleum companies in the world. Its elegant and minimalistic design is meant to express strength, stability, and seriousness of purpose.
The building, which overlooks the Arabian Gulf, also has several environmental considerations into its design. The south side of the skyscraper has sunshades and fritted glass, while the building itself is LEED-NC Gold certified. In addition to housing ADNOC offices, it has an employee service retail space, heritage museum, and a connection to a mosque. It has received distinction from the Middle East Architect Awards, Architizer A+ Awards, and the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH).
3. The Landmark (1,063 feet)
A postmodern skyscraper extending 1,063 feet into the sky, The Landmark is the 136th-tallest building in the world. Construction on the skyscraper commenced in 2006 and concluded in 2013. Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, an American firm based in Connecticut, designed the building. Al Habtoor Engineering Enterprises and Consolidated Contractors International Company S.A.L. formed a joint venture to oversee construction.
A mixed-use building, The Landmark has apartment residencies with one to four bedrooms, as well as five-bedroom penthouse units. César Pelli, who designed the skyscraper, drew inspiration from the dodecagon and a desert flower, resulting in a sophisticated design regarded for its innovation and architectural brilliance. In addition to its apartments and penthouses, it has an on-site fitness center, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and a spa and wellness center.
4. Etihad Tower 2 (1,001 feet)
One of the four skyscrapers in Abu Dhabi taller than 1,000 feet, the Etihad Tower 2 barely eclipses that mark at 1,001 feet tall. The building was designed by DBI Design Pty Ltd., developed by Sheikh Suroor Projects Department, and constructed by ACC. It is located at Corniche W Street and 34th Street, is a residential property, and is one of five skyscrapers comprising the Etihad Towers. These skyscrapers, all of which are taller than 700 feet, were shown in the film Furious 7.
Two of the other towers are also used strictly for residential purposes, while Tower 1 is a mixed-use facility with residences and a hotel. Tower 3 is an office building.
5. Sky Tower (959 feet)
Located in the Reem Island business district, Sky Tower is a 74-floor, 959-feet-tall skyscraper with office and residential space. Construction began in 2006 and concluded in 2010, making it the oldest of Abu Dhabi’s five tallest buildings. ACC built the skyscraper and Architectonica, an American firm, was responsible for the design. The Sky Tower won the Gulf Cooperation Council Residential Project of the Year at the 2011 Construction Week Awards.
The Sky Tower has a unique elliptical design with living and office space wrapped around a central core, providing beautiful panoramic views of Abu Dhabi Island and the Gulf. Residences start from the 41st floor and go until the 72nd floor. There are also four- and six-bedroom duplex penthouses.