I know enough about this tower now and so I think it deserves its own thread...

BUILDING NAME: AL YAQOUB TOWER
TYPE: THE 6 LOWER FLOORS WILL BE DEDICATED TO OFFICES AND THE REST OF THE TOWER WILL HOUSE 289 APARTMENTS.
ADDRESS PLOT: Next to CAPITAL TOWERS??? Sheikh Zayed Road, South - Dubai - U.A.E
HEIGHT METERS : ?
HEIGHT FLOORS : 60F
ADDITIONAL FEATURES: A MULTI STORY CAR PARK WIL BE BUILT BEHIND THE TOWER AND WILL BE CONNECTED TO THE TOWER VIA A BRIDGE AND WILL ACCOMMODATE 580 CARS.
START: 2006
FINISH:2008 ???
OTHER DETAILS : ENLARGED VERSION OF... BIG BEN (I.E., AN EXACT, BUT MAGNIFIED VERSION OF THE REAL THING!) I dunno about the clock bit though, time will tell.... :D :D :D :D

It might even end up looking like this...
http://www.ullapix.com/places%20and%20things/images/Big%20Ben%20Clocktower.jpg

Tada! Now who knows more than I do? :tongue2:

is this left or right of capital?
between it and the fairmont?

we are not sure btw if this is UC because there are three towers supposed to be between capital and fairmont,
but there is only space for two, assuming one of them is al rafi complex.

and how the heck do you know it is big ben.
i hope not this is riddiculous for SZR :weird:

I agree with Flo. It is to early to open a "UNDER C." thread for these. Maybe it would have been better to just post the info about the Big Ben similarities, on the "Dubai Gossip" thread.

nooooooooo this is horrible! not SZR!!!!

move this to the gossip krazy.

I am serious on this one guys..... the contract has already been awarded and it WILL be an exact replica of Big Ben according to the developers and site work is currently under way according to my sources.... Trust me on this one.... its real and its coming up.

Did someone ask for evidence?

The info I had has now gone public.....

Source: http://www.meed.com/nav?page=meed.article&fixture_story=3916970&title=Search%20Result

ACC strikes ‘Big Ben’ deal
CONSTRUCTION UAE
23 Dec 2005

Lebanon’s Arabian Construction Company (ACC) has been awarded an estimated $61 million contract to build the Yaqoub tower on Shaikh Zayed highway in Dubai. The 60-storey tower, resembling Big Ben, will be located near the World Trade Centre and have a built-up area of 53,000 square metres. The lower six floors will house 4,000 square metres of office space, while the remaining levels will consist of 289 apartments. The building will also incorporate a swimming pool, while an adjacent car park, linked to the tower by a bridge, will be built for 580 cars. The consultant on the 24-month project is the local Adnan Saffarini; the client is a private developer.

Now do you believe me? :D

I AM A BELIEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :bow: :bow:
R

This by far will be the ugliest building in Dubai...

yow :jk: ???

i dant laik it in SZR

A modern twist to big ben would rock but a taller replica is really dumb idea.

I dunno why we need to continually replicate famous landmarks.....

its time for something original.... having said that, I think we need to cut the developer some slack and wait till we get some official renders....

Now that we are sure that it is being built, I thought we should try and imagine what it would look like in SZR's skyline....

http://tinypic.com/jjaghx.jpg

http://tinypic.com/jjagz6.jpg

i'm speechless
let's hope it will just have the same architectural style, but please not another replica
damn, yesterday we found out dubai will build a chrysler building twin :wtf:

this one better be an awesome design and different, please!!!

I hope so too, Dennis....

I saw that Chrystler twin complex... interesting...

Chrysler Tower twin?
LINKS.NOW!!!

where is this chrysler twin complex supposed to be?

Deep breaths Krazy and Jechtman.... here u go:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=6854801#post6854801

LOL

Where are the superfuturistic towers now????

Where are the superfuturistic towers now????


What superfurturistic towers are you talking about?

^ Maybe Al Raffi Complex or Al Duhrra Tower

Oh Al Durrah.... Well this area between the Fairmont and Capital Towers could now look like this:

http://tinypic.com/jjmixl.jpg

http://tinypic.com/jjmizb.jpg

Any more requests? :D

imagine if those two stand directly next to this one..
omg this will look so riddiculous.
malec will go crazy.

if they had put it in falcon city at least.
how can they approve this thing.
it better be look modern with glass and stuff.. omg..

btw 61m $? :weird: they want to build this one sharjah style or what..

Yes it will look scary.... I was trembling in fear when I was creating these images! :eek:

Scary I know, but it is possible that this is exactly how it will end up looking! :eek:

sharjah style.... heh heh.... I love that! :drunk:

No way. This is rediciolous. Why the hell will they do a replica of BigBen in SZR??
It could be done in Dubai Land, along with replicas of the pyramids, la tour eiffel, st.pitresburgh..etc..
But in SZR, NO SHIT!!!
And Al Durrah is great in this place.

We need SA BOY to clear somethings up. :runaway:

I have scared a few people today, havent I, with my expert future renditions of the area around Capital Towers, havent I? :tongue2:

^ Not you, the Big Ban did.

I guess the whole Big Ben thing is a bit odd, but I do think that a huge skyscraper with a clock in the top would be a great addition to SZR's skyline....It doesnt have to come in the form of a giant version of Big Ben, though. LOL.

well a clock tower ;) would be ok but not like that, a modern big ben maybe..

^ Not you, the Big Ban did.#
who got banned :runaway:

well a clock tower ;) would be ok but not like that, a modern big ben maybe..

#
who got banned :runaway:

Well, yeah, a clock "Tower" would be great, and it doesnt have to have anything to do with Big Ben either. :D

as for the ban thing, I am sure you knew it was a typo. lol

very intresting
what about this chrysler building twin ?

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=217417

here.

- Since now we know for sure that Al Yaqoub will NOT be next to the Capital Towers, i removed the previously posted pictures. -

SWISSBORING


:lol:

sounds promising ;)

we will see which one it is, i am almost scared of this project..

and so it begins.....

^ That doesn't mean it will be this tower though.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=303512

bit of an article ...

interesting! I like all the confusion and controversy surrounding this building. :D

Let's hope a big big ben will not be built. :D

A tower like this on SZR would ruin the skyline no matter how many great other towers there are around

ACC Company builds Dubai Big Ben
8-Jan-2006

Arabian Construction Company, the Dubai based real estate firm will be building the Dubai Big Ben at an investment of approximately US $60 million. Shoring is already underway on the site, which is located close to Dubai International Financial Centre, off Sheikh Zayed Road.


Big Ben- Dubai
There are a few issues on its design and hence the delay for its construction. The original designs now look likely to be scrapped because of a dispute over plans to include a clock face at the top of the tower. According to project sources, the developer subsequently secured a 'letter of no objection' from the Palace of Westminster in London. But now the authority is refusing to grant permission for the clock face on the building.

Big Ben is the colloquial name of the 147 year-old Clock Tower of the Palace of Westminster. While the clock tower in London stands just less than 100 m tall, the Big Ben tower planned for Dubai would be around three times as big.

The tower, to be built by ACC, will be split between office and residential space. Work is expected to be completed by December 2007.

Found this on emiratestodayonline.com

The Al Yaqoub Group’s future London Tower, a 330-metre, 59storey serviced apartments building coming up next to the existing Union Tower on Sheikh Zayed Road, will feature the highest clock in the world.

somehow I think they r reffering to the tower and not Union tower...the plot with no render but yet under c cuz the golden sands tower is near Union Tower

R

If they modernise Big Ben and change the colors a little it might look good. We'l have to w8 and see.

Definitely it will have a clock. Do you really think they build a bigger Big Ben, 60 stories high, and than decide to leave out the clock? Come one! They want to build the biggest "clocktower" in the world.

And btw, it could be needed when you forget your clock at home and cruising between the scrapers at SZR.

Found this on emiratestodayonline.com

The Al Yaqoub Group’s future London Tower, a 330-metre, 59storey serviced apartments building coming up next to the existing Union Tower on Sheikh Zayed Road, will feature the highest clock in the world.

somehow I think they r reffering to the tower and not Union tower...the plot with no render but yet under c cuz the golden sands tower is near Union Tower

R

if this is true :eek: another 300m + , but i doubt they will allow the clock after that last article. would be cool though.

what the heck are they talking about???

there is no free plot next to union tower unless they demolish one first :bash:

or they mean union properties tower
then it's the one between capricorn and the tower, designed by DAR consult
as the article states, shoring works have already begun and this is exactly what is happening next to union properties' the tower

this whole stupid "put the clock or not" thing might also have prevented dar to put a render on the board


this whole project is so weird
i don't even believe it will be built anymore

it's a mess, read the articles :ohno:

it is but as face said this makes it really interesting.

lol did not think about that, Union must be Union Properties then, e.g UP Tower. and there is indeed an unknown tower without render as you say.

weird but interesting.
imagine they build bigben, exactly the same design but without clock .. OMG how riddiculous :lol: :bash:

Oh MY GOD!!! Its just sad , no matter how tall it is gonna be

I love this building so much for all the confusion and controversy surrounding it :D :D :D


:cheers:

No render, no location and yet we have 50 posts! :tyty:


:D

what the heck are they talking about???

there is no free plot next to union tower unless they demolish one first :bash:

or they mean union properties tower
then it's the one between capricorn and the tower, designed by DAR consult
as the article states, shoring works have already begun and this is exactly what is happening next to union properties' the tower

this whole stupid "put the clock or not" thing might also have prevented dar to put a render on the board


this whole project is so weird
i don't even believe it will be built anymore

it's a mess, read the articles :ohno:

Dennis, the DAR designed tower is on the other side of Capricorn. The plot next to UP The Tower is empty.

oh yes! you're right altin!
this dar tower is between capricorn and al ghadier tower :stupid:

Dennis, Altin is right. How can we have something like this? It would be ridiculous :tongue2:

Although, this is what the article is suggesting!!! :bash:

http://tinypic.com/jv42gw.jpg

imagine big ben with the view from saeed tower 2

http://tinypic.com/hs6s7b.jpg

very interesting, indeed........ I wish we knew more about this one!!!! :bash:

where is a smily which shots himself in the leg :bash:

my poor attempt
http://tinypic.com/jz8ntk.jpg
:D

What I don't get is why the hell are they allowing this to be built? If most people here realise this is a pile of shit and would do more bad than good then why can't the city planners?

my poor attempt
http://tinypic.com/jz8ntk.jpg
:D

EXCELLENT WORK DAZZ!!! :applause:

now make an emoticon shooting itself in the leg for flo! ;)

What a disneyland!!!
Those who cannot really do it, copy it.

http://tinypic.com/jztonk.jpg

As expected:































































:puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke:

What a great way to ruin the emirates towers btw

If they get rid of the clock it shouldn't be too bad, allthough it will look very plain next to the tower and capricorn tower. Let's hope they get rid of it and give us a better render showing some details.

i'd say the render makes it worse than it actuallty is
have a look at the textures, awful render!

"What I don't get is why the hell are they allowing this to be built? If most people here realise this is a pile of shit and would do more bad than good then why can't the city planners?"

Answe: You havn't seen the renderings and heard the details, they have



Oh now there IS a render. Anyway, that doesnt look to good, i expected something more modern, to build this would be to take one step backwards. well, wel see and w8 for better renderings.

Big row derails Dubai Big Ben
Monday, 09 January 2006


Plans to build a 60-storey replica of London’s Big Ben tower in the middle of Dubai, look to have been scuppered after disagreements between Dubai Municipality Planning Department, and the developer.

The building may now have to be redesigned, after the Municipality rejected plans for a clock face on the tower, mimicking that on the houses of Parliament - Big Ben is actually the name of the bell inside the tower, according to a report in construction Week magazine.

Work has already begun on the site for the building, which is to be built close to Dubai International Financial Centre, off Sheikh Zayed Road. The $60 million contract is being managed by Arabian Construction Company, according to Construction Week.

The building was initially rejected by the Planning Authority, which pressured the developer to relocate it to Nakheel’s International City development, according to the report.

A ‘letter of no objection’ was then obtained by the developer from the Palace of Westminster in London. But now the authority is refusing to grant permission for the clock face on the building, according to Construction Week.

“The project was delayed because of a design row over the clock. Although the building will have similarities to the Big Ben tower, it will not bear the clock face and will not be called Big Ben.

It will be a 60-storey residential building,” ACC director Wassim Merhebi told the magazine. The London original is just under 100 metres tall, but the Dubai tower will three times as big.

Well i'm glad Dubai Municipality have got some sense to reject this, why does the developer just not copy big ben but actually design a new nice tower and then maybe in that design but a clock face or four.

Anyway workers at DIFC and Business bay could not use excuses for being late as the boss would say Big Ben says it's 9am why are you late :D

Come on developers get a life. Big Ben is good in london because it fits in with the rest of the city around it and the houses of parliment.

wow! what a twist in the story!

I love this. LOL

So its going to be a 60 storey, 330m tower without a clock. Cool! :D

@Flo... time to edit the SZR plot map, again. :tongue2:

Glad they have some sense to reject this.

^^Agree with you Face81 :D

Whatever is built there really needs to be great in terms of design since it'll have the tower and capricorn on either side.

i will wait till we have a proper render..
this is just an ... artists impression... as they call it :D

If they build anything resembling that crap building in the render, we can write up a petition to the DM and ACC to tell the to reconsider. Have you guys considered using pressure to influence DM's approval of towers? I mean, it could work. If DM approves anything super ugly, then a petition might work. We gotta try it if this thing goes through. If it doesn't, maybe we'll do one up to change the colour of that gold trump egg on the palm Jumeirah. ....Just a suggestion....

that golden thing is ok but this one :bash: is not.

would be rather funny, other cities would be soo happy to get a supertall, and the spoilt dubai forumers... : Nah we don't want this, petition , don't approve this, etc :D:D:D:D

well we could try it, at least 200 votes from this forum alone will be in there.

would be rather funny, other cities would be soo happy to get a supertall, and the spoilt dubai forumers... : Nah we don't want this, petition , don't approve this, etc :D:D:D:D

are we spoilt? No! ;)

All I want are more 300m+ towers and I want them ASAP. Is that too much to ask for? :D :cheers:

Glad they have some sense to reject this.

^^Agree with you Face81 :D

Whatever is built there really needs to be great in terms of design since it'll have the tower and capricorn on either side.

glad u agree... anything above 300m gets all of us to agree, I think. :D

I kind of like it. It has nice color contrast.
It would make a nice candlestick

11/02/2006

The site and the ZETAS' equipments and crew working on site:

http://i1.tinypic.com/nmeue1.jpg

http://i1.tinypic.com/nmevb7.jpg

http://i1.tinypic.com/nmexat.jpg

everything prepared.
nice q7 ad in the background.

and so it has begun. :D

http://tinypic.com/jz8ntk.jpg

nice q7 ad in the background.

Nice "under-construction" building behind the Q7 ad. :runaway:

actually that is pretty bad advertising for audi and thei quattro...
'sometimes even quattro does not bring you further' :runaway:

can we be sure it's on this plot?
i'm so confused with all these unknown plots under c
too much

zetas was confirmed to be the contractor in the media?!

no i think we had several articles claiming it will be there.
the ones which reported about the approval issues.

yep, u r right, Flo, its confirmed that this is Yaqoub.

ACC tag is appearing now on the boarding, so one more reason to confirm the project.

^^ This one will be fun to watch as it rises. :D

where is the taliban when we need them? surely they would have put a stop to this building since it is most definitely "harmful to society!"

:jk:

not sure if i should consider this as good news
unbelievable, they already start construction :eek:

seems like they solved the problem very fast

I really hope that the design will be somewhat modern and not like the render. Then there may still be a little hope left...

Hopefully it'll look nothing like big ben :cheers:

I wonder IF the clock feature would be a good addition to the tower IF they add it at the top. :dunno:

i think a clock on SZR would be amazing.

^^ So do I. I think he should go for it. Will be pointelss to build 'Big Ben' without a clock! ;)

Whats the logic behind allowing sundials but not clocks?

its not as if the time is a state secret.

It would be OK for it to have a clock, just as long as it the tower doesn't look like big ben ;)

well it would look bette than if they just slapped one on the top of another tower. city tower 2 for example.

well the proposed design for this one would just be wrong if they left off the clock. The top bit of the tower is just screaming out for it! And besides, the tower doesnt really look like Big Ben, so it'd be a the Worlds Highest Clock that Dubai gets, in addition to the Worlds highest sundial! :D

AltinD, what is going on on the plot???

^^ Check post 76. More or less the same.

I wonder if the final design wil be something like this? :dunno:

http://tinypic.com/jztonk.jpg

More subtle i hope.

Wow.. ugly

The metal sceleton of the project board is up. Let's hope they'll add some "flash" on it so we can have all the infos we need. :bash:

drove past a bit quick today but a swear it said 77 floors

a bit quick. were you doing 200 :D?
is the render already up?

77F seems more realistic if it is 300+.

quick... that part of SZR :?

Wou!! 77 floors is great!!!

77F makes sense if its supposed to be 330m. I will check it out soon....

is the render already up?


As of yesterday there was no render. The project board is L-shapped on the corner facing Capricorn Tower. On the side of the board facing SZR's service road, two panels were installed; one with the tower's name and another with some other writing that I couldn't read, propably with number of floors and so on. The render might be put on the side facing the Capricorn.

Rose Rotana has a similar L shapped board.

no render at 2pm only the bit with the permit no and plot numer as well as the normal G+M+....

B + G + M + 70 + Roof = 72 Floors + Roof feature

http://i3.tinypic.com/w7ihxx.jpg

Al Yaquob Tower

As the infrastructure developments in the UAE continue to grow at an accelerated rate, Al Yaquob management recognised the need to reinforce its presence.

Since the Al Yaquob Group has already made significant inroads in the hospitality sector, and demonstrated its ability to thrive in the realty business with its REMAMCO real estate and construction companies, it was only natural that it would go on to its next significant project: Al Yaquob Tower which will act as its showcase.

This forms the rationale for the construction of the first tower on Sheikh Zayed Road. This is the most prestigious project in Al Yaquob Group’s history.

Scheduled to open in 2008, it is intended to be one of the most compelling structures in the future landscape of Dubai. The 330-metre, 59-storey edifice will mark the group’s first foray into the high-stakes skyscraper segment. The tower’s distinguishing feature is a clock that will crown the tower and it is set to be one of the tallest buildings in the UAE. This will make it the highest clock in the Middle East and the world.

Al Yaquob Tower will be home to furnished apartments, offices, restaurants, retail establishments, and leisure facilities. Amenities include two swimming pools, four health clubs (separate areas for men and women), saunas, steam rooms and a gymnasium hall. There will be a twelve-storey parking lot behind the tower, with a holding capacity of up to 360 cars.

The residential areas will consist of 56 studios, 85 one-bedroom units, 74 two-bedroom units, 64 three-bedroom units and 4 three-bedroom duplexes. An international hospitality chain will run the hotel apartments.

http://www.alyaquob.com/content/company-yaquob-tower.php

:dance:

It has a clock feature on the roof!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!! :D :D :D :D :D :D

^^ thanks.
someone edit the spelling mistake in the title please ;)

and still waiting for the render.. they can't do this big ben thing at 330m. no.... :bash:

at least the clock...

^^ No it will have a clock!! :D

Would be even cooler if they had a giant digital clock on top like in Futurama :D

Don't be carried away from the article in their website. Maybe it was there for ages and that doesn't necessarily means the tower will get the clock. Plus, it still says 60 floors in there, while in the board it says 70.

Most propably the top part that was reeserved for the clock, now is converrted into more 10 habitable floors.

where did i write it has no clock ;) hehe...

altin is probably right though.

yeah digital is cool, but that would be really tacky with an old Big Ben design.
not with a modern one though.

where did i write it has no clock ;) hehe...

altin is probably right though.

yeah digital is cool, but that would be really tacky with an old Big Ben design.
not with a modern one though.

I think we can be pretty sure that they are not replicating the original big ben....... its going to be a modern design, so a digital cloc kwould be easy to add, whether or not the top floors are designed to be habitable.

A clock on SZR would REALLY be great. :D

oh and I am assuming that the roof feaure is the clock.... no point in mentioning it on the board if it isnt anything special.

I dont think there has been a project board specifying a roof feature before, has there?

fistsly how the hell does a clock take up ten floors :?

secondly the highest clock in the world will surely be the tallest person wearing a watch on the top floor of the burj dubai! or a clock on the wall of the top floor!

thirdly its too bright for a digital clock to be seen in the day.
unless they use massve plates which would take up far more space than a conventianal clock.

if they only wan it on at nigh... just project it!

Maybe someone can contact Eng, Adnan Seffarini's studio and clarify it once for all.

is it good or bad to know this thing os for real and it went through

at least it's now been clarified

hooray! :cheer: i would love it if it is going to be digital! :cheer: and it will be able to be seen from far away if its 10 floors big! and 72floors. :cheer:

R

http://img388.imageshack.us/img388/6972/alyaqoub8ic.jpg

Great!!!!!!!!!!!!! 72 floors!!!!!!!!!!

the company apparently also owns the london crown tower, which is under c in mankhool

29/04/2006

http://i3.tinypic.com/wrlxub.jpg

There will be NO render on the project board.

:hahaha: that is really... :hilarious

i guess we will not see one for quite a few months, it is Com and Hot, there is no need to launch it soon...

What I meant is that the project board doesn't have provision (space) for a render. Both sides of the L-shapped board have the same project and contractors infos.

^^ of course of course.

but this hardly happens, not even in Dubai.
in the end, all the towers got their renders on the boards.

There will be NO render on the board

































































... they are putting up a mock up model, on the corner of the L-shapped board. So far seams even worse then what the render suggested. :runaway:

So you're saying it could actually look exactly like this or what?

http://www.ullapix.com/places%20and%20things/images/Big%20Ben%20Clocktower.jpg

r u kiddin altin.

STFU :bash:

Height is 330m

Al Yaquob Tower

As the infrastructure developments in the UAE continue to grow at an accelerated rate, Al Yaquob management recognised the need to reinforce its presence.

Since the Al Yaquob Group has already made significant inroads in the hospitality sector, and demonstrated its ability to thrive in the realty business with its REMAMCO real estate and construction companies, it was only natural that it would go on to its next significant project: Al Yaquob Tower which will act as its showcase.

This forms the rationale for the construction of the first tower on Sheikh Zayed Road. This is the most prestigious project in Al Yaquob Group’s history.

Scheduled to open in 2008, it is intended to be one of the most compelling structures in the future landscape of Dubai. The 330-metre, 59-storey edifice will mark the group’s first foray into the high-stakes skyscraper segment. The tower’s distinguishing feature is a clock that will crown the tower and it is set to be one of the tallest buildings in the UAE. This will make it the highest clock in the Middle East and the world.

Al Yaquob Tower will be home to furnished apartments, offices, restaurants, retail establishments, and leisure facilities. Amenities include two swimming pools, four health clubs (separate areas for men and women), saunas, steam rooms and a gymnasium hall. There will be a twelve-storey parking lot behind the tower, with a holding capacity of up to 360 cars.

The residential areas will consist of 56 studios, 85 one-bedroom units, 74 two-bedroom units, 64 three-bedroom units and 4 three-bedroom duplexes. An international hospitality chain will run the hotel apartments.

TWO 330m heights confirmed for Dubai today :cheers:

Is that really a good thing?


Anyway, loads of cities with great skylines have one or two eyesores that stick out, but the skyline itsself is still great. Look at Chicago for example this tower:

http://img417.imageshack.us/img417/1286/cnv000165jk.jpg

http://img276.imageshack.us/img276/8689/cnv000023gs.jpg


Looking at this bright red tower you can't help but say "WTF were they thinking?". The al yacoub is similar I think. 20 years later everyone will be saying the same about it.

20 years from now it's probably gonne be overshadowed by the PS supertalls on the left and BD/BBay supertalls on the right... not to forget the SZR towers itself... so hopefully no one will really notice it :D

you won't even notice in 20 years malec.

and how the heck can u compare SZR and its surrounding areas to that shithole of skyline above :D

i like the clock on top, that will be amazing.. we will see how the rest turns out.

Something like this:

http://i2.tinypic.com/xlyzk7.jpg

:hahaha:

it least they are innovative in this field.

I dont think it to bad, almost comical in away.

I saw today, hideous.

Is the model complete?

80 - 90 % I would say. No clock on the top though.

Construction updates!!!




[of the model ;)]

Shocking building....the very worst of Dubai and bad taste. This will look terrible amongst the existing and proposed ultra modern sleek towers along SZR. In fact I would go so far as to say it will be a laughing stock. Are there no planning laws or guidelines in Dubai to stop things liike this happening or does everything sail through as long as its tall and add to the neverending stock of 250m+ tall skyscrapers in the emirate?

http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/1341/coolszr9yf.jpg

What an eyesore!! :bash:

Construction updates!!!




[of the model ;)]
Yup, am veeeery curious :)

love the pic malec...it doesnt look that bad...it will look better in real life...:)

R

What makes it bad is its height.. not only is it super ugly but it also stands out to be in the same height league as emirates towers... making sure everyone notices it. :ohno: and i thought dubai learned from the sheikh essa incident

took some pics today of the model...and there is a clock and its a v different model...its like a 3-D model...v different...i like it!:D

http://i1.tinypic.com/zkn7er.jpg

http://i2.tinypic.com/zkn7mf.jpg



and btw Krazy sheikh essa tower is only 34 stories high...and it maybe ugly but its not that unfortunate...

R

well, that's not bad... in the end it's all about details, if it will have a lot of facade details then it will be great tower

look how many men are working with that model :D

That tower looks less like big ben and also the proportions seem better.
Better than before

I think it looks more like big ben.

at least its the right colour now, and has more verticle ine detail.

The big ben has a bulge in the middle which this tower doesn't have. I'm glad it doesn't though because it looks better on such a tower.

http://www.christopherholt.com/photos-2002/00_london_galleries/big_ben_buses_01.jpg

:rofl:

how cool is that :lol:

this should be done with all towers instead of a bloody small render

:hahaha:

that is really amazing..

WTF.

can't wait for a clear shot.

somebody should go at night and get the model. would be a nice addition in your backyard :cheers:

My turn:

http://i1.tinypic.com/zl9koz.jpg

http://i3.tinypic.com/zl9lq1.jpg


Close up of the "clock":

http://i1.tinypic.com/zl9ni8.jpg

lego

:rofl:

great thing.. :hahaha:

really..well it does not look that bad.
we will see how it turns out in reality.

this model is going to spoil SZR for a while though ;)

clock looks interesting. but i would have preferred a modern design. digital clock. lcd :cheers:

The actual tower itsself isn't too bad but the clock looks like crap!! :bash:

It doesn't fit at all

WHERE ARE THE NIMBYS WHEN WE NEED THEM?

ok, i guess the model is far away from reality, but certainly great fun
:rofl:

is this left or right of capital?
between it and the fairmont?

we are not sure btw if this is UC because there are three towers supposed to be between capital and fairmont,
but there is only space for two, assuming one of them is al rafi complex.

and how the heck do you know it is big ben.
i hope not this is riddiculous for SZR :weird:


Remember this? he he :cheers:

Well I agree, an digital clock would have been way cooler, but this will do.

Malec, i''m pretty sure the actual clock face will look alot better. I mean, this is going to be the World's highest clock, so its bound to be better looking than that boring old clock face they have used in the model infront of the construction site. :)

Also, I wonder if the clock is going to chime, on the hour, every hour? Pitty the residents and office goers :D

Isn't the world's highest clock going to be the one in the lobby of the highest floor of Burj Dubai?...I'm sorry if i sound a tiny little bit cynical but death to ppl who build/develop/name projects only to set records. Nuff said.

^^we already discussed that!

anyhow, i would expect it too look a lot better w/ texture detail. it is only painted afterall!

II'm sorry if i sound a tiny little bit cynical but death to ppl who build/develop/name projects only to set records. Nuff said.
Isn't death a little harsh? Why not punish them by assigning them a record number of derogatory nicknames. Seems more appropriate, if you think about it...

Big Ben tower is under the eye of the clock

http://www.itp.net/pictures/news/122Bigben200.gif
The site of the new Big Ben tower on Sheikh Zayed Road.

It has to be the funniest stand-off in Dubai’s larger-than-life construction industry.

The developer behind the controversial Big Ben tower on Sheikh Zayed Road is hoping time will be on his side to win permission to install a clock face on the building.

Earlier this year Construction Week revealed how Dubai Municipality (DM) had given planning consent for the 70-storey tower but refused permission for a clock face modelled on the famous London landmark. Now cheeky contractors have erected a model on the site, which includes the banned clock face.

Rasheed Mikati, business development director, ACC, said: “The client has asked us to put the clock on the sign board photo.

“We do not know yet if he has full DM approval. But it will be quite a few months until we reach the height of the clock so we’re not really concerned at this point.”

ACC is building the US $60 million (AED221 million) tower.

Come on DM. Have a bit of sense

this must be among the most ridiculous stories ever written in Dubai's tower chapter.

omg did these poeple run outa ideas ?
copying Big ben is ..... oh well
i saw enough comments on that

I hope somehow they get sued over this, lose a shitload of money and abandon construction (in the early stages) in order to let a real developer do something with this plot. Not only does it ruin szr by being super-tacky but it is also the colour of shit which doesn't go well with the rest of the towers.

In fact it would be funny if someone went and smashed up that model :)

I hope somehow they get sued over this ...

Didn't they get a permission from The Houese Of Parlament before unveiling the tower? ;)

BTW, the model, as the board, is fully backlit at night. I have to admid that it looks much much better at night.

The thing is, I don't mind the clock that much. If they made the tower a different colour it would be a lot better. Actually, if the focus was on glass and steel instead of concrete it might work

this is sooo bizarre! :eek:

just UGLY

i hope this tower gets cancelled before they reach floor 1 ....

this tower will just ruin the skyline of zayed road.... i mean how could an ugly cheap designed tower put in between 2 nice towers ( the tower & capricorn )

Attempted night time pic...

http://i6.tinypic.com/11u9s1l.jpg

http://i5.tinypic.com/11u9v7r.jpg

Today by Imre. I thought we had a thread for this one but couldn't find it.

http://i7.tinypic.com/219z805.jpg

http://i7.tinypic.com/219z80k.jpg

krazy, this is the big ben thing

merged threads

but, finally we have photos showing some progress :)

cool thanks! was kinda confused about this one... have a look at the floor plate this one will have.. .TINY

WOW, raft foundation completed already. I love DUTCH FOUNDATIONS, they do their work quick and with not much fanfare.

Instead MEF Group or Swissboring they drag their work for long, long time.

^^Like Rose Tower. But I don't know, that we are so far with working on this one.
Really nice. :okay:
Should start to rise in the next 3 months.
Then another supertall underway!!

omg.. it is coming.

the controversary in person.. or in tower?..

Face.. what do u think :D

I think the Design of the Tower on the Renders is very Ugly, i don't like it.

04.08.2006 By Imre

http://i2.tinypic.com/23kw6ec.jpg

http://i2.tinypic.com/23kw6kg.jpg

http://i1.tinypic.com/23kw86t.jpg

http://i5.tinypic.com/23kw86r.jpg

Dam... Why next to Capricorn...

After completion the view on Emirates Towers is bad from SZR!

I'm not too sure on this tower. At least no one can complain about not having a watch (even if there are world class watch dealers in the malls around Dubai).

I'm not too sure on this tower. At least no one can complain about not having a watch (even if there are world class watch dealers in the malls around Dubai).
It's so high that people might not even be able to see it properly :p

And it might grind to a halt after being attacked by desert winds reinforced with sand...

And it might grind to a halt after being attacked by desert winds reinforced with sand...
Yeah, doubt anyone would notice/care if it stopped :)

Imagine being a window cleaner and trying to clena the clock face. That would really be a race against time. Those clock arms must be huge.

Maybe the tower will have the Biggest Clock on earth :)

They really going to build this ugly building?!!!!!

Imagine being a window cleaner and trying to clena the clock face. That would really be a race against time. Those clock arms must be huge.
Yeah, the cleaner's might need an extra hand.

They really going to build this ugly building?!!!!!

correction... they are building this ugly building

I hope they'll be able to pull the Nuaimi Tower trick.

I dont see this one ebing so bad Dubai is about many diff towers. This tower is unquie and grand even if its not in good taste. ( but then so many things in Dubai are not)

what is the nuami tower trick altin :D

in the end it looks much better than on the render?

but that would be the every dubai tower trick..

^^ Nuaimi it looks WAYYYYYYYY much better then the render. The new matching glass and other material facade, as well as some details on the top "evil horns" makes for a great looking tower, compared to an ugly tacky one in thje renders.

hopefully it becomes really much better like the renders

crane tower up with cab in place

:okay: make note for imre updates!!!!

13/08/2006

http://i8.tinypic.com/24mi9oy.jpg

Municipality seeks Big Ben style changed

http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/9696/yalv9.jpg

Developers behind the plan to build a replica of London’s Big Ben in Dubai have had to review their plans at the advice of Dubai Municipality officials, who asked that the new building be amended to match its Sheikh Zayed Road neighbours.

The 72-storey Yaqoub Tower is currently being built along the city’s major artery and is scheduled for construction in November 2008.

The building, to be located next to the Union Properties Tower, will be 328 metres high with its top 60 metres designed to resemble London’s Westminster tower, said a representative of the project’s contractor – Arabian Construction Co.

However, sources at Dubai Municipality said they have asked the developer to make changes in the design.

“The project needed some changes to match the environment of Dubai… each environment has a different colour scheme and shape scheme,” said a municipality official. He, however, could not say whether an amended version has been submitted and approved.

Asked to confirm the civic body’s request, the contracting firm answered: “Not sure, but we know that the issue of the clock and its mechanism are not yet settled.

“We still have time until all the details are finalised; we are still in the foundations stage, after all.” More than three times taller than London’s landmark, Dubai’s Big Ben is going to be built from granite, aluminium and glass, said the contractor, adding that the structure’s exact colours have not yet been finalised.

The building has been designed by Dubai-based consultants Adnan Safarini for Daro Saifuddin Yaquob, owner of the UAE-based Yaquob Group, which lists hospitality, travel, real estate and stock market trading in its portfolio of businesses.

And while most Londoners can only admire their Big Ben from a distance, Dubai residents will be given a chance to work and live in it.

The lowest six floors of the building will house offices with the upper storeys consisting of 289 studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom flats and duplexes.The building will have two swimming pools on the mid level and on the rooftop. A 13storey parking area for 597 cars has also been planned.

Emirates Today’s computer whizzes have mocked up what other famous landmarks could look like in the city and the majority of people in our headquarters believe a replica of the Eiffel Tower on Sheikh Zayed Road could be a real winner.

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/2393/ya2oq3.jpg

^^ Best thing I read all day

Hahahaha :):) But I hope this doesn't mean a delete!!!!

:rofl:

Emirates Today.. not bad. i should read this more often.

that Eiffel tower looks not that bad in fact. not that i want it but..

anyway as i said in the world forums, the municipality won't allow a real Big Ben here.

18.08.2006 By Imre

http://i8.tinypic.com/24x4duv.jpg

http://i8.tinypic.com/24x4e2p.jpg

http://i7.tinypic.com/24x4ebo.jpg

Piling completed :eek:

Looks like they are ready to make Big Ben, Dubai, chime! :D

^^ i hate it that you like this one.

but for a fact in case u did not notice , REDESIN :D

the municipality refused to accept such a thing in town on SZR

terrible design, hope the new will be much better

Yep, it is one ugly monster...

Hey Imre, maybe you can shoot a picture of this one if you pass it. THX

Four tourists try to climb Dubai’s replica of Big Ben

A group of tourists had to be stopped and given a stern warning after trying to climb a huge replica of London’s famous Big Ben.

The four British men were spotted in the early hours of yesterday morning trying to climb up the structure off Sheikh Zayed Road.

They were spotted by security guards at a nearby hotel and, after being warned, climbed down.

As no damage had been caused, the security guards decided to take them to the hotel where they were staying.

Emirates Today has taken the decision not to name the hotel as it had no part in what happened, but a source there said: “It was around 2am when we got a call telling us that four guests had been causing a bit of trouble.

“The guests told us they were nearby and that they had been trying to climb Big Ben. It was very funny for people who worked at the hotel.

“When they arrived back they were a bit upset about the whole thing. They were very sorry and seemed to be a bit unsteady on their feet.

“They went to bed and I think they were just glad they did not cause any damage, which would have cost them money and could have got them in a lot more trouble.” “They were all blaming each other when they got to the hotel and I think they will just want to forget the whole episode,” the source added.

The Big Ben replica was put up to promote the fact that an actual replica of the famous landmark will be built there.

Too bad they weren't able to do any damage. It would have undoubtibly been an improvement. :lol:

15.09.2006 by Imre

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/8899/img3878ys4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/2050/img3879bc7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/1411/img3880mz3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

29.09.2006 By Imre

It's growing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/25/img4364uc2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/3930/img4365ma9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/4395/img4366qj9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

06.10.2006 By Imre

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/8527/img4722rf8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/2593/img4723cp1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

WOWW That´s FAST!!
Impressive

Based on the last pictures, I think this will be a concrete and not steel building. The fact that Unibeton Readymix is listed as one of the (sub)contractors, amplifies the idea.

13/10/2006

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/2633/dsc0168dc2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/9061/dsc0173ak8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/3017/dsc0175hk0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

yupp that looks like concrete to me.

http://www.accsal.com/pages/projects/skyscrapers/Al_Yacoub.htm

The left picture: redesign ?

^^ The one on the left is a picture of the project board on the site.

love the pic they used!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL!!!!!!


http://i14.tinypic.com/2w54obr.jpg

Yaqoob Tower


Yaqoob Tower is a 72 storied building in the Trade Center area of Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai that will stand 329 meters tall once completed.

The total built-up area of the tower is 53,350m2 and the adjacent car park of 13 storeys is of 20,440m2. The building and the car park will be connected by a bridge.

The tower houses offices and 289 flats consisting of studios, suites, one, two and three bedroom apartments and duplexes.

27.10.2006 By Imre

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/5290/dsc0495pd9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/1545/dsc0496fp4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

12/11/2006

http://i15.tinypic.com/358vus1.jpg

i cant belie this shit is going to ruin emirates towers vision and that it is undercostruction... please redesing now!

DOES THIS MEAN A REDESIGN IS EMINENT!!!


http://i7.tinypic.com/2usef01.jpg

http://i7.tinypic.com/2ey9lvq.jpg

What's that?

hopefuly. construction halted.

hopefuly. construction halted.

:lol:

Fingers crossed.

well it was only a metter of time really...but I wonder why the DM, if they had anything to do with this, took so long to say no...

R

Actually yesterdfay and today they were still working on the central core, but it is strange that they will cover with plastic the metal bars if they don't intend to stop.

maybe they are still able to go higher with the core even if a redesign is underway.

^^ Wonderful Idea Flo :okay:

Al Yaquob Tower

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/2820/img6295bw6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/1300/img6296vl1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/3289/img6297et7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/5882/img6298dl0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Obviously still on hold. Redesign ? I hope now too...

^^ Not on hold, the central core is rising, even that slowly. They are erecting now the crane integrated into the core and that will rise with it.

^^:okay: this is great!!

I had the craziest dream ever. I posted a design i have made for a 330m high (happenes to be 30m wide) skyscraper in SSC, and the developers of Al Yaquob tower tought the design was so good that they replaced the clocktowerdesign with mine modern design with spectacular nightlighting features, during construction. Actually first they sent me to Dubai to finish of the deal about the rights to use my conceptual deisgns (four designs actually of which they choosed one for this) So crazy... :dizzy:


Maybe il just try to... :bowtie:


Anyhow it will be great to see this prestigious plot finally used.

The cenral core has risen one more floor since the last picture from Imre.

Sorry guys..but every city gets stuck with crappy architecture. Only difference is that you are all in agreement about this thing. Here in the states, when someone objects to bad architecture, they are called a NIMBY. I don't know are there are any NIMBYs in Dubai yet, but criticizing a bad design doesn't make you one!

The cenral core has risen one more floor since the last picture from Imre.



Yes, yes, yes!!!! :okay: :cheers: :cheers2:
Very good news. THX Altin

Sorry guys..but every city gets stuck with crappy architecture. Only difference is that you are all in agreement about this thing. Here in the states, when someone objects to bad architecture, they are called a NIMBY. I don't know are there are any NIMBYs in Dubai yet, but criticizing a bad design doesn't make you one!

i don't know what u r talking about but in fact no one here does accept this piece of shit or :banana: to it..

some people said they would like a clock on SZR that's it.. but not more.

as a matter of fact municipality is calling for a redesign at the moment.

i see a chance that design will look good when completed. the models/renders are really not my taste but we should wait until it's finished, maybe than it will look better than we think all the time!!

^^Agree :okay:

While the construction of the central core is progressing, yesterday they started to erect scafoldings around the mock-up model of the tower.

Are you thinking what I'm thinking ... :runaway: