WOAAH! :ohno:

http://www.spitsnieuws.nl/archives/images/FikMekka_gr.jpg

This is de Abraj Al-Bait right? Is it really on fire? I read this on a dutch site, couldn't find information from international sites. Anyone has more info?

Allah doesn't like this tower next to the holy site. This was only a warning.

Oh no!

blah blah blah.... most of the people here are just talking without any serious informations. Most are repearting what they heard from others grrrrrrrrrrr


Anyway time for real informations.....


The reason of fire: One of the welder was welding some steel beams and then one spark of the welding felt down into one of opened shafts where there are some flamable materials then the fire directly started inside the shaft which was closed from all sides but still not closed from all sides at the upper two floors since they are still under construction. The fire directly started in rapid way and for sure the question is "where is the fire fighting system?" the answer is: the tower is still under construction and still the sprinkler systems, Fire hose cabinets, Pumps and tanks are still being installed. That is why the system did not work.

The another question is "How could civil defence stop the fire?" The answer is: No any such long hoses for such towers and helicopters should be used for such cases but for some reasons there was no any helicopter at the site so one of the idea came out which is USING THE CONCRETE Pipe riser PUMPS to supply water through the risers to stop the fire at the upper floors.

This idea worked and NO VICTIMES again am repeating it NO VICTIMES at all.

I think the reason is very clear and the way to stop the fire is very clear too so no need for such comments about the location of tower and that Allah does not like it blah blah blah.

That's a pretty ingenious way to put the fire out.

http://www.gulfnews.com/news/gulf/saudi_arabia/10253488.html

thats fire accident can be examination for fire department in MECCA city...how to handle fire burning on high rise tower...its important..

Okay, back to topic.

A bit shocked to see the news of the fire in the tower. But it's hopefully not too serious. No casualties, so that's already a positive thing.

Hopefully no damage to the inner construction and core or this whole project can be on hold for the next year...

I don't think the fire department of Mecca, or however they call it there, wasn't prepared for this kind of fires? Because there isn't a lot highrise in Mecca, the firemen aren't trained for such fires, I guess?

Nevertheless, the tower is way too high for the trucks or the water from the pipes. Firemen should take the stairs and do all the way by foot. Just like in the World Trade Center on 9/11.

is there any news about any injuries in the fire ?

man, i dont like to project at all, but i would never wish fire on it...

this sucks, how much are they set back, anyone know yet?

is there any news about any injuries in the fire ?
No injuries :)

No one got injured alhmedellah ...

cheers guys

That is gud news for labour's families working on this tower!!

this may be the most horrible project i have ever seen. bollocks

by saudi guy

'asyiqul^huur (http://www.flickr.com/people/29070131@N02/)[/B]
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One of Best Project :master:

it looks as though the clock tower is about to clear the other buildings either side of it .

it will change Mecca area atmosphere...with high rise towers....

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2388/1923392717_78f375e22a_o.jpg


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2063/1923394803_823903f93c_o.jpg



By Raimy Sofyan from Flickr.


http://fc00.deviantart.com/fs28/f/2008/139/0/8/Abraj_Albait_Entrance_by_M_e_e_s_h_o.jpg
by m-e-e-s-h-o (http://m-e-e-s-h-o.deviantart.com/)

wow

^^ I know

i cant wait for how the project turns out. that last pic shows the details in this project.

That's actually really tastefully detailed.

Seriously, wow. Very nice.

When I first saw the impressions I really had my doubts about this project, but it actually turns out to be very beautiful :)

It looks so tall and big ! That entrance is huge and beautiful, thx for the pics !

It seems Las Vegas...

I agree. Many aspects are very very nice, but a few things just look...overdone. (i.e. the checkerboard archways.)

Lol
It's new MGU building

i thing i really love about saudi arabia projects is that they truely preserve their culture in their skyscrapers, this is something any country should learn, skyscrapers in japan, korea espeacially, idont see any ortiental culture in their skyscrapers, even hongkong i dont see any culture in its building

Name 1 other 'cultural' skyscraper in Saudi arabia.

This is truly such a massive project. Very beautiful.

Name 1 other 'cultural' skyscraper in Saudi arabia.I think he's joking.

^^ he really isn't. When he says there are no oriental style of skyscrapers in Japan and Korea he means it and I sort of agree. Like there should be hundreds of taipei 101 looking buildings all around.

However, Korea and japan separates what is traditional and what is modern.

Is there any pics on burnt floors in this building? never seen anything of this tower since the fire broke out.

^^ he really isn't. When he says there are no oriental style of skyscrapers in Japan and Korea he means it and I sort of agree. Like there should be hundreds of taipei 101 looking buildings all around.

However, Korea and japan separates what is traditional and what is modern.Exactly. At least they don't go about building 600 meters tower right by a pagoda, or a shinto shrine.

The guy who suggested this was a bit too Las Vegas nailed it. I mean, I get the need to house the pilgrims, I do.. maybe it's just me not being Muslim, but doesn't it kind of skew the experience of the hajj somewhat if you are able to look down on the Q'aaba from your hotel room? I mean, that never used to be possible.. the first you saw of it was entering the mosque, and there it was..

I guess I'm really saying I think the hotel is a little too close to the mosque, too. I have no complaints about the tower or its accompanying outbuildings-- it is stately and it will serve its purpose well-- but the location is just too close.

^^ this isn't the only building from which you can see the kaaba. There were other, shorter hotel towers before this..

Name 1 other 'cultural' skyscraper in Saudi arabia.

Abraj Al-Bait?

....
13/11/2008
Photos by asyiqul^huur (http://www.flickr.com/people/29070131@N02/)

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looking very good

Wonderful pics,renders and proyect!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is a monster (in a positive sense)!!!! :eek:

I love the details in the cladding....so it fits to all the arabian architecture...

Yes it is true! It is incredible that they have such a love for the details in such an enormous building. This deserves an extra :applause:

^^ in contrast to many other super-super-talls where exterior is just plain glass.

Exactly! ;)

great update, so the hotel is now height of adjacent bldgs.
230m?
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3226/3027820577_032b5283c4_o.jpg

^^ thank you for the post CULWULLA - I don't think I've seen a photo from a street here before. A glimpse of a far off place.

http://fc00.deviantart.com/fs28/f/2008/139/0/8/Abraj_Albait_Entrance_by_M_e_e_s_h_o.jpg
by m-e-e-s-h-o (http://m-e-e-s-h-o.deviantart.com/)

question: is this the main entrance/exit to the complexe because in time of Hajj it will be hell going in and out from there

i thing i really love about saudi arabia projects is that they truely preserve their culture in their skyscrapers, this is something any country should learn, skyscrapers in japan, korea espeacially, idont see any ortiental culture in their skyscrapers, even hongkong i dont see any culture in its building

But this style of architecture is a Las Vegas idea of Moorish architecture, neither of which have ANYTHING to do with Saudi history. This is as fake as the Disney castle.

Since when Saudi Arabia has MOORISH architecture? Moorish architecture can be found in Morocco, Spain and Mauritania. You are a few thousand km off mister Shaggers. And yeah, Las Vegas actually got it from there...its not like they got it out of the blue. So all the people saying "this is sooo Las Vegas style".....really need to get their ass out of America.

OMG!!!!!!!!!! its look HUGE.........

But this style of architecture is a Las Vegas idea of Moorish architecture, neither of which have ANYTHING to do with Saudi history. This is as fake as the Disney castle.

Disney catle isn't THAT fake at all it is a re-designed Neuschwanstein which served as pattern for the Disney Castle (but for sure is less kitsch than Disney Castle)...

question: is this the main entrance/exit to the complexe because in time of Hajj it will be hell going in and out from there What a selection of words in a context with the Hajj,... ;) :lol:

Since when Saudi Arabia has MOORISH architecture? Moorish architecture can be found in Morocco, Spain and Mauritania. You are a few thousand km off mister Shaggers.Muttie, wake up a little and re-read his post.
This building is actually of would-be Moorish style. Take the two-coloured arches or the columnettes by the windows and portals. Certainly a style that never belonged in the Arabian peninsula. And then there's the size. Shaggers got it right. Pure Las Vegas.

lol Las Vegas? what a joke.

There is many Islamic (or arab) architecture.... and Abraj Al-Bait is one of them..

that is a nice architecture to this place.. for sure

lol Las Vegas? what a joke.

There is many Islamic (or arab) architecture.... and Abraj Al-Bait is one of them..

I'd rather say envy instead,... ;)

Very imposing and detailed.

Disney catle isn't THAT fake at all it is a re-designed Neuschwanstein which served as pattern for the Disney Castle (but for sure is less kitsch than Disney Castle)...

while disney is nice and all, it is nothing like neuschwanstein castle. besides neushwanstein wasn't built to the mid 1800's; people already had electricity when it was built:


DISNEY:

http://www.ecumen.org/changing-aging/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/disney-castle.jpg

NEUSCHWANSTEIN

http://z.about.com/d/architecture/1/7/U/i/Neuschwanstein.jpg

Since when Saudi Arabia has MOORISH architecture? Moorish architecture can be found in Morocco, Spain and Mauritania. You are a few thousand km off mister Shaggers. And yeah, Las Vegas actually got it from there...its not like they got it out of the blue. So all the people saying "this is sooo Las Vegas style".....really need to get their ass out of America.


:okay:

I'd rather say envy instead,... ;)Sure one must have his taste in bad disarray to be envious of this thing...

I agree that this building is very Vegasy. Please tell me if I can pray during the day and play poker at night? ......The building is completely out of synch and out of proportion to the rest of the surrounding area. Don't know how anyone can sound sensible discussing the merits of this building when the design is everything but.

So lets get things straight. Appartenly Moorish architecture = Las Vegas .. Omg some people.....learn freakin history. One of the key elements of Moorish architecture is the "huge archways", with the use of different color patterns. So yeah, this building is probably Moorish Style, but definately not Las Vegas style...Las Vegas got it from the Moorish, not the otherway around. Hell, the USA didnt even exist at the time this style was widely used.

I agree that this building is very Vegasy. Please tell me if I can pray during the day and play poker at night? ......The building is completely out of synch and out of proportion to the rest of the surrounding area. Don't know how anyone can sound sensible discussing the merits of this building when the design is everything but.

No, I would say Vegas copied everything around the world and now anything resembling the Vegas copies you think is Vegasy. :lol:

So lets get things straight. Appartenly Moorish architecture = Las Vegas .. Omg some people.....learn freakin history. One of the key elements of Moorish architecture is the "huge archways", with the use of different color patterns. So yeah, this building is probably Moorish Style, but definately not Las Vegas style...Las Vegas got it from the Moorish, not the otherway around. Hell, the USA didnt even exist at the time this style was widely used.Muttie, do you roll donuts for a living? It's the second time in a row you don't sound so bright. Las Vegas = Fake - Out of place - Gaudy. Got it now?

So lets get things straight. Appartenly Moorish architecture = Las Vegas .. Omg some people.....learn freakin history. One of the key elements of Moorish architecture is the "huge archways", with the use of different color patterns. So yeah, this building is probably Moorish Style, but definately not Las Vegas style...Las Vegas got it from the Moorish, not the otherway around. Hell, the USA didnt even exist at the time this style was widely used.

No, I would say Vegas copied everything around the world and now anything resembling the Vegas copies you think is Vegasy.

Here' the comparison:

Vegas: Copycat Architecture
Mecca Al- Bait: Copycat Architecture ( Moorish Style, Clock Tower )

Vegas: Pompous
Mecca Al Bait: Pompous

Vegas: Outrageous
Mecca Al Bait: Outrageous

Vegas: Daring
Mecca Al Bait: Daring

Vegas: Flashy
Mecca Al Bait: Flashy

Vegas: Reproduction-y
Mecca Al Bait: Reproduction-y

Vegas: Show off-y
Mecca Al Bait: Show- off-y

Vegas: Kind of tacky
Mecca Al Bait: Kind of tacky


Guys, Vegas is also the adult version of Disneyland and that's why it succeeded. And perhaps that's why Mecca is going the Vegas way...dice, dice!

stay on topic guys. no City vs. City here!!

this thing is atrocious. American oil money is definitely what built this

^^ :blahblah:

I forgot about this thing...this has got to be one of the most putrid and tasteless buildings ever. Hurrah!

wow you guys don't have taste

this thing is atrocious. American oil money is definitely what built this

So? You gotta get money from somewhere. Without oil the world would stop. Fine by me if Arab sheiks want to build skyscrapers with their oil money. I want oil so why should I complain?

So? You gotta get money from somewhere. Without oil the world would stop. Fine by me if Arab sheiks want to build skyscrapers with their oil money. I want oil so why should I complain?

Just. Shut up. Both of you.

The pilgrimage to Mecca through Jeddah is more than enough to fund this and many of the Saudi's projects. Oil is only so much.

you guys by oil from AS and we use the mony to found projects and built

how is that a bad thing :ohno:


and by the way this project has nothing to do with oil

It would be very interesting to watch the massive growth around the kaaba area over the coming years as the annual haj population grows exponentially, and the need to provide facilities grows accordingly.

It is already interesting to watch the crowd management solutions they are building now.

The place could get uglier or more beautiful. I prefer the latter. But who knows? in any case it would be interesting to keep track of.

the US only gets only 16% of their oil from the middle east that ALL .i wonder from where do they get the rest...

Since when Saudi Arabia has MOORISH architecture? Moorish architecture can be found in Morocco, Spain and Mauritania. You are a few thousand km off mister Shaggers. And yeah, Las Vegas actually got it from there...its not like they got it out of the blue. So all the people saying "this is sooo Las Vegas style".....really need to get their ass out of America.

Dude, please read what I wrote - I know perfectly well that Moorish architecture is not Arabian. Which is why I'm saying this building is totally FAKE. To make it doubly worse, it's not even authentic-looking Moorish architecture - it's fake Moorish like the style invented in Hollywood in the 1930s and later used in places like Vegas. This building is a double fake. If it was to be authentically Arabian it would probably have to be a tent - of which there are some examples in Mecca, and which are at least elegant and unobtrusive unlike this grotesque carbuncle on the earth's surface.

THis bulding is not built in moorish architectre its built in the old hajaze arch

This building looks 1/3 communist 1/3 vegas 1/3 moorish


Tacky.

Out of proportion.

Ugly.

This building looks 1/3 communist 1/3 vegas 1/3 moorish


Tacky.

Out of proportion.

Ugly.

i don't care what people say against this project! for me it goes with the area around it and its very powerful, tall and looks gorgeous! :)

THis bulding is not built in moorish architectre its built in the old hajaze arch


it's not Moorish and even if it was , what's the problem ? isn't Morocco a Muslim country ? and isn't Mecca a city for all the Muslim world ?
anyway ,I would say it's a new style !
here they compound both Moorish and Ottoman architecture and the result is this new style ( saudi style ) . the Saudis have done this befor in Al-Masjid Al-Nabawi :
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f6/Masjid_Nabawi._Medina%2C_Saudi_Arabia.jpg
you can't say this is moorish nor you can say it's ottoman !

Modern Islamic Architecture?

I know where your coming from, but would you want Non-Catholics to dictate terms of the Vatican?

don't know if these were posted before

http://m7ml.com/uploads/e0ad80dc87.jpg
Worst supertall ever

I know where your coming from, but would you want Non-Catholics to dictate terms of the Vatican?

Who cares, beauty is universal and this thing is U-G-L-Y

No, beauty is NOT universal... I like things that maybe for you are a puke because of your educational background and viceversa...
Open your mind, please!

^^ this isn't the only building from which you can see the kaaba. There were other, shorter hotel towers before this..

I stand corrected.

This building looks 1/3 communist 1/3 vegas 1/3 moorish


Tacky.

Out of proportion.

Ugly.

u say that about any skyscraper thats not in the usa...

here they compound both Moorish and Ottoman architecture and the result is this new style ( saudi style ) . the Saudis have done this befor in Al-Masjid Al-Nabawi :
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f6/Masjid_Nabawi._Medina%2C_Saudi_Arabia.jpg
you can't say this is moorish nor you can say it's ottoman !

it's not ottoman architecture smart ass.

I really love this design actually...
It's very unique from most of the supertalls..

But this style of architecture is a Las Vegas idea of Moorish architecture, neither of which have ANYTHING to do with Saudi history. This is as fake as the Disney castle.

Absolutely true!!!
It's a Disneyland-ized Arabic culture,...

lol Las Vegas? what a joke.

There is many Islamic (or arab) architecture.... and Abraj Al-Bait is one of them..

dude, whole Dubai-,,wonder,,-thingy is Las Vegas+Disneyland view of Arab architecture mixed with modern steel-glass construction design,...

wow you guys are just jealous of how fast we are develping here in the middle east
and of all the super talls we are building

it's not Moorish and even if it was , what's the problem ? isn't Morocco a Muslim country ? and isn't Mecca a city for all the Muslim world ?
anyway ,I would say it's a new style !
here they compound both Moorish and Ottoman architecture and the result is this new style ( saudi style ) . the Saudis have done this befor in Al-Masjid Al-Nabawi :

you can't say this is moorish nor you can say it's ottoman !

Thank you for the photo illustrating your point. I'm not sure it has translated well but the "Las Vegas" and Disney labels imply a superficial and dishonest imitation. This would appear to be more of a fusion and interpretation, weither this is a pleasing design is up to the individual to decide, but it does not appear to be "fake" or misleading.

For everyone that thinks this building destroys the area round the Central Haram Mosque, check this out:

Foster and Hadid to redesign Mecca

http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/dailynews/2008/11/foster_and_hadid_to_redesign_mecca.html

i know this is not a political / religious forum but I think its a shame how the saudis are destroying historic buildings everywhere! got nothing against the tower but they should have some respect for history! these are not sites important only to saudis or only muslims, they are important to the world history.

http://www.muslimwakeup.com/main/archives/2004/02/the-seatbelt-as.php

Abraj Al-Bait is ridiculus!! I hate Saudi Arabia for everything they are doing in one of the most sacred cities in the world, destroying ancient buildings and places to make hotels and malls...thats shows how retarded they are!

Abraj Al-Bait is ridiculus!! I hate Saudi Arabia for everything they are doing in one of the most sacred cities in the world, destroying ancient buildings and places to make hotels and malls...thats shows how retarded they are!
were there ancient buildings actually :?

woow your retarded first of all they did not destroy any ancient or sacred places they are only destroying crumbling down building built in the 70 to serve as hotels and suits for the hajaj and built something that is useful for many other things.

Hotels,apartments,mall,HARAM EXPEDITION AREA, and a train track which tours all around makkah and its sacred places all in

seven towers

While Mecca definetly needs hotels to house all of the pilgrims, could't they bouild them just a little farther from their most holy site? It completely overpowers the mosque! It would be like the vatican building a 400 meter supertall 15 meters away from St. Peter's Bascillica! Or for the japanese to build a McDonalds on top of every holy shinto shrine! :bash:

While Mecca definitely needs hotels to house all of the pilgrims, couldn't they build them just a little farther from their most holy site? It completely overpowers the mosque!
Exactly my thoughts.

its saposed to be close the buldings them self are the haram expadtions

its saposed to be close the buldings them self are the haram expadtions

In old days, if someone had built a 50 storey building here, it would have got the same comments. But, can you imaging such comments coming up for a 50 storey high riser near Haram now? I think, not. But, Haram will always have the same value for Muslims. Haram is not looked at as a beautiful or tall building so no matter how tall buildings are made around it, its universal importance remain unaffected in the minds of Muslims.

This building is screaming "Look at me!!!". Is it because Mecca's waning influence among the Moslem world needs this oversized overdesigned monstrosity badly?

wow you guys are just jealous of how fast we are develping here in the middle east
and of all the super talls we are building

Ha ha ha ha ha. Yeah that's what I am - jealous. If anyone ever built this in my country I'd burn it down myself.

Worst supertall ever
In that regard, a fitting tribute for a religion in the 21st century.

Really, as impressive as it's physical presence and massiveness must be up close, this is truly an abomination of arrogance - an arrogance of wealth and power, an arrogance of contempt, an arrogance of government.

A momumental, colossal folly of arrogance. At least in past centuries the religious built beautiful buildings. This is just offensive and very sad.

And Mecca looks like a dump. The Grand Mosque seems to be the only attraction there (which I suppose is the point...).

Very russian, but I like it.
Maybe it should be a few kms ago..

Well, I think that the developer of this superstructure worked very hard to build this building. Put yourselves into the hands of the architects who were given the job of designing Abraj al Bait.

First, they need to build a hotel for the pilgrims. If they build a shorter one, this will make no difference than the original hotels that were demolished to make way for this hotel. Plus a taller hotel can accommodate more people bringing more money to hotel owner. ( we cannot blame them if they want business ).

Secondly, if the architects wants the building to be cladded with glass, they can do so. however, they take their time concentrating on the details of the building to make it blend with the surrounding. They incorporated arches, tents, stone cladding and many more. this building is also designed in a very short time due to the needs of this building to accommodate pilgrims ASAP. So, bravo to the architects for creating harmony in designing this building in such short period of time.

Thirdly, the location of the building cannot be blamed. If they build the building far from the Masjidil Haram, not many people are gonna stay there because they need to walk for a long distance. This will bring slow business for the hotel and mall of the building. The closer the hotel to Masjidil Haram, the better because pilgrims can get to Masjidil Haram faster.

Fourthly, making the structure tall has to do with what i called the 'landmark effect' when you looked at other cities around the world, if you are traveling by land based transportation towards the city, what signs tells you are getting closer to the city? the landmarks of course. you know you are getting closer to paris when you see the Eiffel tower, to Manhattan when you see ESB, to Kuala Lumpur when you see Petronas Twin Towers. the same thing applies here. Pilgrims arriving from Madinah, Jeddah can know that they are getting closer to Mecca when they see Abraj al Bait from far.

Lastly, if you say this building is tacky and vegasy, you are wrong because if you look megahotels in vegas like venetian, mandalay bay, bellagio , etc... they build the hotel in Y shape. this building have 5 separated towers (correct me if im wrong) sit on a podium that make it look like a cluster of towers instead of las vegas blocks of dominoes.

If you think this building is tacky, why don't you design it yourself within the same time as given to the architects of Abraj al Bait.

Hmm,
sorry but I hate any building that has anything to do with religion.

The fascade looks nice though.

Well, I think that the developer of this superstructure worked very hard to build this building. Put yourselves into the hands of the architects who were given the job of designing Abraj al Bait. When you think, you assume and when you assume you are not sure- and I am not sure if the architects worked hard enough just as you think.

First, they need to build a hotel for the pilgrims. If they build a shorter one, this will make no difference than the original hotels that were demolished to make way for this hotel. Plus a taller hotel can accommodate more people bringing more money to hotel owner. ( we cannot blame them if they want business ). You are right but height does not have to be monstrous and obese. Have both and there's not much art left in architecture.

Secondly, if the architects wants the building to be cladded with glass, they can do so. however, they take their time concentrating on the details of the building to make it blend with the surrounding. They incorporated arches, tents, stone cladding and many more. this building is also designed in a very short time due to the needs of this building to accommodate pilgrims ASAP. So, bravo to the architects for creating harmony in designing this building in such short period of time. You've got to be blending kidding. Let's not be like the meccayopic architects that designed this.

Thirdly, the location of the building cannot be blamed. If they build the building far from the Masjidil Haram, not many people are gonna stay there because they need to walk for a long distance. This will bring slow business for the hotel and mall of the building. The closer the hotel to Masjidil Haram, the better because pilgrims can get to Masjidil Haram faster. Too bad....and this is supposedly used during a period of personal sacrifice....let those pilgrims walk!

]Fourthly, making the structure tall has to do with what i called the 'landmark effect' when you looked at other cities around the world, if you are traveling by land based transportation towards the city, what signs tells you are getting closer to the city? the landmarks of course. you know you are getting closer to paris when you see the Eiffel tower, to Manhattan when you see ESB, to Kuala Lumpur when you see Petronas Twin Towers. the same thing applies here. Pilgrims arriving from Madinah, Jeddah can know that they are getting closer to Mecca when they see Abraj al Bait from far. Well, based on your line of reasoning, we all can tell we're getting close to London if we see the clock tower. Does that make any sense?

Lastly, if you say this building is tacky and vegasy, you are wrong because if you look megahotels in vegas like venetian, mandalay bay, bellagio , etc... they build the hotel in Y shape. this building have 5 separated towers (correct me if im wrong) sit on a podium that make it look like a cluster of towers instead of las vegas blocks of dominoes. Huh?

If you think this building is tacky, why don't you design it yourself within the same time as given to the architects of Abraj al Bait.

We all like to design the A Bait....and with the amount of money spent on this project, the architects have no excuse for such a bad and tacky and tasteless design.

I hope the above post is meant to be a devil's advocate and not just to antagonize the positive points of this skyscraper.

This could not be built anywhere else. I love the detail of the facade. What greater way to integrate culture and modern supertall architecture.

I can't get over the scope of this project. I know it's not taller than the Burj, but it's huge in comparison.

What is it floors count?

What is it floors count?

Wikipedia, emporis and skyscraper page say 76. I dont know what it is at this exact moment though.

Wow------

http://english.aljazeera.net/mritems/Images/2008/12/6/200812613649963621_8.jpg

It's really starting to grow on me now this tower/s.

Looks better know. But I wait until its finished for final comment.

Great photo ! I think now the main tower has surpassed its "cousins" and "nephews"...

Wow------

http://english.aljazeera.net/mritems/Images/2008/12/6/200812613649963621_8.jpg
I can't even imagine how it looks from the place where that man standing...

^^ Judging from that picture, I believe the center tower is now over 1,000 feet in height. Saudi Arabia has a Supertall!

no, it is just above 260m at the moment, maybe 270m-275m...still a bit to go :)

^^ and of course no one draws diagram of progressing 'Abraj Al Bait'

I always have no idea of how tall this thing is because there's no tracker on this structure.

the 2 towers left and right to it are 260m, that's enough for me :)

and saudi arabia already has a supertall.

i saw that picture, its interesting when Abraj Al-Bait will complete..and i stand at roof top that tower..what will i can see...??

I stumbled upon this while passing in front of a Muslim travel exhibition.
Nothing official but it seems that Abraj Al Bait's tallest tower could have undergone a drastic redesign.

This seems to be no higher than 300m tall, if other towers' heights remain unchanged (which seems likely).

http://ssc.singapenguin.net/06/060715_zamzam_towers_expo.jpg
Looks like some kind of helipad on the top, instead of the giant crown and spire.

Hello, Did you come across this poster in singapore?

i saw that picture, its interesting when Abraj Al-Bait will complete..and i stand at roof top that tower..what will i can see...??Mostly desert. If you lean out a lot and look straight down, you might be able to see the town and possibly the Masjid al-Haram. :lol:

that's the old design

Hello, Did you come across this poster in singapore?

Hi, I took this pic more than two years ago, luckily it seems this plan is long forgotten :-)

^^ Actually, that render is from the beginning of the project when they were marketing Zamzam tower which is actually just one of the side towers; the first one they were building. They hadn't finished a design of the hotel tower, so they just put the placeholder with the flat top in so people interested in buying space in Zamzam could get a rough idea of the context of that tower. There was a big debate on this forum a year or two ago when someone first came across that render and wondered if the hotel tower had been downsized.

Yes I'm afraid I'm the one who started the rumour with this pic, definitely not my most glorious contribution to SSC ;-)

this is the final design :

http://m7ml.com/uploads/4e5a288a90.jpg

so, if this project will finish, will more may tourist visit that area for just shopping only...
by the way i dont understand whats the meaning of Abraj Al-Bait...??

^^ Muslims only are allowed in Macca.
With regard to your second question, Abraj is the plural of burj which means Tower in arabic (and persian).
Al Bait means the house .. it refers to the sacred mosque which is described as the house of Allah.

well muslims can be tourists too? :)

muslim friends who have done the hajj have stayed up to a month afterwards just to enjoy the atmosphere so that gotta count like tourists then?

i see... thx for information Captain Kimo..

11/12/2008
Photos by Abdullah AL-Matrafi (http://www.flickr.com/people/az2/)


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3177/3099782440_3169a28ea3_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3136/3099781456_d613908a25_o.jpg

you can see how crowded Makkah is :)

You forgot to post this one: :nuts:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3136/3098937723_e7351f4a90_o.jpg

Wow! The main tower is definately taller than the towers next to it. Looking at the crowd, Abraj Al Bait will be very useful for people. Btw, for how they have been expanding Kaaba and are they going to build some parts on the open field next to Kaaba?

Excuse me, but seeing the direction of the shadows in the photos posted by Al-Matrafi, I don't get how people can claim that the main tower is not going to throw its shadow on the Mosque and very possibly on the Kaaba itself...

^^ and whats wrong with that?

It is good that they got rid of all those ugly dirty towers all around the Kabaa.

this thing is shaping up nicely

^^ and whats wrong with that?

It is good that they got rid of all those ugly dirty towers all around the Kabaa.

And everyone should know by now that people WANT the Shadows of these buildings.

Wow! The main tower is definately taller than the towers next to it. Looking at the crowd, Abraj Al Bait will be very useful for people. Btw, for how they have been expanding Kaaba and are they going to build some parts on the open field next to Kaaba?

Yah, there's a thread on the Saudi forums showing the new expansion. Furthermore they might add floors to the existing structure as well. Its all quite exciting, let see what they are able to pull off. The Saudis certainly are not one to disappoint.

And everyone should know by now that people WANT the Shadows of these buildings.

^^ without a doubt...some months a heat is pretty unbearable...even though by some miracle (or maybe by design) the marble around the kaaba is kept quite cool...

In any case, I think people will welcome the shade from the sun.

^^ The marble flooring has cold water cooling running underneath it. Just the white marble itself isn't enough.

^^ no miracles or any chilled water under the marble.

It is a special marble has low thermal conductivity. IT never absorbs heat.

As far I know, it is from a mountain in spain or italy and it is veryyyyyyyyy expensive.

Interesting design

Judging the design by west standards or the new supertalls in Asia is at least unfair. If the people of Kuwait and the visitors like it, this is more than enough to me. Personally I don't like the design, which, yes, is very Las Vegas, but if most other (thousand) projects in the Arabian peninsula tend to follow that trend, then it becomes a new architectural style and identity. I may never quite get used to it though, it's like Neo-Baroque, more composed and Doric structure is what skyscrapers are all about.

beautiful design :cheers:

sorry for not being informed... but what will happen with that huge piece of empty land on the other side?

^^ This is the proposed design but we hear that there are some changes to this latest design too and anyway the changes will be known soon inshallah (God willing) because Foster and zaha hadid got involved in the new design and it should be approved after one month.

Anyway till the moment, this is the proposed design:

http://img26.picoodle.com/img/img26/4/7/13/f_26600861033m_02af37e.jpg

:eek:

:lol: wasn't this posted before?

Is this even technically or economically possible? Even if it is, it needs decades to be build, this might very well surpass in floor space even Dubai projects, thats just insane!:llama:

why should it take decades to build???

Is this even technically or economically possible? Even if it is, it needs decades to be build, this might very well surpass in floor space even Dubai projects, thats just insane!:llama:

It's Saudi Arabia. If they want something done, they will get it done. lol

omg... that looks huge... black rock seems so tiny comparing to that background...
i believe they could build it in round 10-15 years...

why should it take decades to build???

Hm let me see, around 50 skyscrapers 40-80 floors as far as I can see, plus 2 more supertalls like Abraj Al bait plus the reconstruction of the pilgrim site, plus the general landscape transformation (around 4 square kilometers), and acording to Google earth observation, the dust and earth needed to be relocated to match the topography will be second to Dubai's palm islands. I suspect then that this project is at least equal to Dubai's Downtown, including Burj Dubai, with almost certain more floor space. Dubai's project started around 2002 and it migt be hard to be finished in 2009, maybe 2010 if everything is ok. This makes it 8 years, but this project, since is way bigger, can easily take 10-12 at least. So here you go, time table in decade.

just the worst idea possible, that domino art or whatever people call that is just so crap. Its Mecca and they certainly can come up with better ideas to use that space instead of repeated dull dominos circulating around the holy mosque.

That picture is pretty old and it has been already posted many times before .. its not a proposal, just a vision.

Google earth

http://m7ml.com/uploads/81203f6fab.jpg

:)

That picture is pretty old and it has been already posted many times before .. its not a proposal, just a vision.

Thanks God!!

But Is true that Foster and Zaha Hadid are involved in a new design?

Thanks God!!

But Is true that Foster and Zaha Hadid are involved in a new design?

Foster and Hadid in running to remake Mecca
http://www.independent.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00091/pg-14-mecca-afp-gett_91556t.jpg
By Alice-Azania Jarvis
Friday, 28 November 2008

Two of Britain's most-renowned architects are in the running for the single most audacious renovation in history: the redevelopment of Mecca.


Norman Foster and Zaha Hadid are among 18 architects to have been approached about redesigning Islam's holiest city by building a mosque complex to host the three million Haj pilgrims who visit every year. The development would more than triple the central al-Haram mosque's current 900,000 capacity, making it the highest-occupancy building in the world.

The plans are thought to be backed by Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz. The remit is to "establish a new architectural vision" for Mecca's 356,800sq m mosques complex. The King is to be presented with the proposals by Hadid, 58, and Foster, 73, with those of the other designers at an exhibition at the end of the month.

Sources close to the project told The Architect's Journal the scheme is likely to be phased, the first stage taking the al-Haram mosque capacity to 1.5 million. That would rise gradually until three million was reached. Neither Foster nor Hadid wanted to comment on the project last night. Hadid's spokesman said he "could neither confirm nor deny" speculation, while Foster's office said: "It has been leaked and not from us so I'm unable to comment."

Other sources describe the project as divided into two "tracks", one looking at various alternatives for the northern expansion of the al-Haram complex, and the other at the al-Haram itself. Lord Foster's firm, Foster & Partners, has been invited to partake in the former with 10 other firms including, reportedly, Atkins Design.

Zaha Hadid, with six other world-renowned firms, has been given the task of re-envisioning the al-Haram mosque itself, as well as "revisiting the whole area of the central district". British engineers Adams Kara Taylor and Faber Maunsell are also thought to be under consideration

SOURCE (http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/architecture/foster-and-hadid-in-running-to-remake-mecca-1038857.html)

.......

Is this even technically or economically possible? Even if it is, it needs decades to be build, this might very well surpass in floor space even Dubai projects, thats just insane!

It is possible technically and economically. And it wouldn't take decades to be built. Neither Pudong nor Shenzhen nor Dubai needed decades. When the construction boom began, everything rised pretty quickly. I don't see why this one should be soooo impossible for a country like Saudi-Arabia... I would be more scseptical in other countries.

Update: Al Bayt Medical Center (The medical center of Abraj Al-Bayt) is now almost opened and completed except installation of some remaining little equipment and will open officially and work with full capacity after 1 month exactly inshallah (God willing).

The web site is still under construction http://albaytonline.com/ or http://albaytweb.com/

Sorry, Duplicated post

Saudi Arabia...the land that taste forgot.

Wow, all the small buildings around the mosque had been demolished? I thought they were still there few months ago?

^^ This is the proposed design but we hear that there are some changes to this latest design too and anyway the changes will be known soon inshallah (God willing) because Foster and zaha hadid got involved in the new design and it should be approved after one month.

Anyway till the moment, this is the proposed design:

http://img26.picoodle.com/img/img26/4/7/13/f_26600861033m_02af37e.jpg

What is this expansion? This will most likely triple the capacity of the Grand Mosque. And why the heck are all these 50+-story skyscrapers attached to this expansion?

What is this expansion? This will most likely triple the capacity of the Grand Mosque. And why the heck are all these 50+-story skyscrapers attached to this expansion?

that s the point : to expand the capacity of the Mecca el Moukarrama ...

As far as the buildings I guess they want to accomodate more pilgrims ...they mainly sleep in pre fab tents and with the development of the whole Muslims world the pilgrim expect better accomodations during el Hajj...

I m don't particularly love the masterplan really it s overwhelming but I guess that managing el Hajj became a business for the Saudis instead of a duty ....

Sorry, but I find this building to be hideous in every sense. It's so gawdy and looks like someone took a small building and magnified it proportionally. The scale is all wrong or something. Not attractive.

World's ugliest building/masterplan.

/thread

http://img26.picoodle.com/img/img26/4/7/13/f_26600861033m_02af37e.jpg

this is the ugliest building i have ever seen

I guess those buildings are not designed yet, they only show the shape/size they could have according the plan, to get an idea of the whole thing.

Sorry, but I find this building to be hideous in every sense. It's so gawdy and looks like someone took a small building and magnified it proportionally. The scale is all wrong or something. Not attractive.Yes, and I think those "towerettes" on the sides are absolutely funny. What's the point of not just building a big block? When one cannot even use a window on three out of four sides? :lol:

http://img26.picoodle.com/img/img26/4/7/13/f_26600861033m_02af37e.jpg

this is the ugliest building i have ever seen

what are they playing dominoes. And they kind of look like books. I don't know what to think at this point.

when look it that picture...its easy for some one will get lost inside that big construction..

what are they playing dominoes. And they kind of look like books. I don't know what to think at this point.

I do. :D Well, I bet that is about what Berlin would like with Hitler in the 21st century. Just tasteless, dictatorship-alike cold sterile architecture! Sorry, but I hope that monster won't get built!

^^ what are u talking about ? Berlin had a much better master plan and much better designed buildings. so i dont get why u say its "tasteless" go on youtube and watch "Hitler's Dream and His Plans for the Reich. 88" its very interesting architecture. not that i support Hitler :lol:

Okay, maybe for that time. That's why I said Hitler in 21st century!

this is the ugliest building i have ever seen

Which one?

http://www.stop55.net/uploads/14ec65998c.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3136/3099781456_d613908a25_o.jpg

Oh....wow. There's still a ways to go, but it's looking picture perfect to the render.

Good comparison. And I like this building...I think I said it before, but you couldn't build this anywhere else.

Pics from the last hajj season

http://m7ml.com/uploads/9081664cfa.jpg

http://m7ml.com/uploads/6f687f15f2.jpg

:)

There is huge amount of work to be done in Mecca, yet at least all those million of sqare meters are surely needed, for there are thousand of people to be accomontated. I am not fond of the design, but it will be ipressive none the least.

whoah.. its like a fortress:)

Pics from the last hajj season

http://m7ml.com/uploads/9081664cfa.jpg

:)

What's that building with the sheer wall beside the mosque? From Google Earth there's a huge series of roads leading to it.

^^ I wanted to ask that too, it must be the largest, empty, white wall in the world :lol::lol::lol:

its safaa and marrwa and they didnt expandet for being empty lol

[QUOTE=Captain Kimo;29664338]Pics from the last hajj season

http://m7ml.com/uploads/9081664cfa.jpg
:)

so beautiful
i just hope in 50 years they dnt ruin the picture of mecca with too many buildings, billboards, signs, etc..
i think the holy city of mecca should stay the way it is with just some more hotels, but that does it

i just hope in 50 years they dnt ruin the picture of mecca with too many buildings, billboards, signs, etc..
i think the holy city of mecca should stay the way it is with just some more hotels, but that does it.

Are there actually any historic buildings (except the Mosque) remaining in Mecca anymore?

Great

Thank you

What's that building with the sheer wall beside the mosque? From Google Earth there's a huge series of roads leading to it.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Safa_and_Al-Marwah

No I think he is referring to Al Safa Palace in the far left of the picture. It belongs to the royal family.

To be honest, the "complex" is so ugly, partially because it just doesn´t "match" with all the surrounding area, that I quite like to see the development.

It is not too ugly...

it's hideous

it's hideous, and massive... Mecca looks like some rugged territory... difficult to build there or easy because the bedrock is so close to the surface?

A bit unneeded isn't it?

I think Mecca with the Kaaba alone would look much better. Skyscrapers around it is just unneeded.

they are when theirs more than 3 million people visiting a small valley

A bit unneeded isn't it?

I think Mecca with the Kaaba alone would look much better. Skyscrapers around it is just unneeded.

I am sure all this floorspace is needed in MECCA more than anywhere else, but why cram those supertalls all around the kaaba? Its impractical and will make the crowding problem worse...

that picture was stunning....that construction its strategic place..
perhaps from all city view can see that tower construction...

Personal curiousity, is there any part of the original mosque, before all the modern additions, still existing now?

^^ Kaaba its self (the black part at the center)

Personal curiousity, is there any part of the original mosque, before all the modern additions, still existing now?

witch one is the original? its been demolished and rebuild several times thru history, same thing with the kaba itself. i think the one standning now, both the kaba and the mosque are from the ottomans. and from the kaba only the black stone is supposed to be from the original abraham built (or rebuilt from the one adam built)

^^ As far I know, inside the kaaba it is the same. only the outer walls of kaaba have been renewed and roof also cause Rain water effected it.

^^ Are you saying the interior of the ka'ba is the same since the days of the prophet (sas)?

http://www.palissue.com/vb/imgcache/5905.imgcache

http://www.palissue.com/vb/imgcache/5906.imgcache

^^ Thank you captain kimo, I have never seen this picture

You know, I have seen once before a picture showing the interior of kaaba very very old maybe it was made by photoshop or not trustable source.

Thanks for correcting me.

^^ Are you saying the interior of the ka'ba is the same since the days of the prophet (sas)?

http://www.palissue.com/vb/imgcache/5905.imgcache

http://www.palissue.com/vb/imgcache/5906.imgcache
no,it doesn't have the same walls.it got partly demolished several times after the prophet Ibrahim ( Abraham)time.so,it got re-built several times too :) actually it was three times.but any way it still have the Ibrahimic foundations from three sides as I know (the fourth got hit by a flood once).
now days,they just covered the interior walls with marbles to save it from humidety and Erosion (the marble actually doesn't touch the walls there is 10 cm space).and as far I remember they did that in the early 80s :)

Actually its my first time I see the inside too. I didn't know you can take pictures anywhere near. Very interesting is the restoration too.

thanks for those interior shots, I really appreciate it.First time I've seen the interior as well.

We're fortunate to get any inside views.
The second pic shows King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia (the centre figure with the heavy goatee beard) visitng the mosque of which he is Custodian.

We're fortunate to get any inside views.
The second pic shows King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia (the centre figure with the heavy goatee beard) visitng the mosque of which he is Custodian.

And behind him is Mr. Pervez Musharraf, the former president of Pakistan.

Idont like it its to big for the serounding

How will celebrity British architects redesign Mecca?

a) They will put in new carpets and bring back the bingo.

b) They will give it a swirly, pixellated, non-fundamentalist feel.

c) They will masterplan a new 'Mega-Mecca' incorporating a theoretical mosque accommodating three million worshippers, then with straight faces await further instructions from their bubble-headed client, who lives in a palace made of solid platinum, has the moral stability of a deranged toddler, and may by then be utterly distracted and want a shopping centre on Mars instead.

Source: http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/reviews/otherreviews/2008/12/ian_martins_2008_architecture_news_quiz.html

I wish they wouldn't build this building. Doesn't fit the territory. Mecca doesn't need this monster building right next to Kaaba :(

http://m7ml.com/uploads/9081664cfa.jpg

Sorry to go off-topic, but is it just me that can't stop focusing on the mountains in the distance and thinking it's like an optical illusion - makes me think i'm going cross-eyed..

^^ what the...

I never noticed that, it does my heading, and does hurt my eyes in a way. Its like oasis when you're seeing non-existant thing on top of another thing...

Sorry to go off-topic, but is it just me that can't stop focusing on the mountains in the distance and thinking it's like an optical illusion - makes me think i'm going cross-eyed..

to tell you the truth, same here.
that pic always made me think it was from a video game, with the shading of the mountains like that

amazing though

Yo~this building is awesome!! But..should it be relocate?? It really not adapt to the site and it's too close to kaaba..further more, the human flow circulation quite exhausted there..

This building will be perfect to: "Conduct your prayers in comfort"

just like Allah wanted...

(saw that in a comercial for this building) :ohno:

Yo~this building is awesome!! But..should it be relocate??
Yes, that is the plan. This is just a test-build to see how it looks, then they will relocated it to it's final location.


:bash:

Yes, that is the plan. This is just a test-build to see how it looks, then they will relocated it to it's final location.


:bash:


I don't understand..the building almost done..how they wanna relocate??:nuts:

I don't understand..
correct.

I don't understand..the building almost done..how they wanna relocate??:nuts:

He was just being sarcastic. How the hell you want to relocate a building complex like this?

I don't understand..the building almost done..how they wanna relocate??:nuts:

Oh, that's so easy. All you need is just a few wheels.

Photos by asyiqul^huur (http://www.flickr.com/people/29070131@N02/) [/B]

Full Size (http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1118/3165499501_fc3dc0112f_o.jpg)
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1118/3165499501_b8182cd5c2.jpg

Full Size (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3124/3165496427_64c3ce34a6_o.jpg)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3124/3165496427_f3177fa54e.jpg

Full Size (http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1026/3165501409_84b4d5739e_o.jpg)
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1026/3165501409_4afbd9a434.jpg

by Saudi guy

WOW Gorgeous!!

wow heinous... (not the interior shots, the exterior shots of Al-Bait, which is stupid heinous...)

Leetroy thank you for posting those, do yo know what the building is on the immediate left in the first shot ? nice detailing on it.

Oh, that's so easy. All you need is just a few wheels.

SERIOUS!!!!!That might have to dig all concrete piles out from ground...
I hope you are kidding..hehehee~

Another reason why it not suitable located in that territory is.....Mecca famous because of Kaaba..so the main focus point is Kaaba but not the huge building..correct?? Further more, there also got no such highrise around..the different is too obvious..

Anyone~agree??

guys,the whole point is to create like what you can call "a giant pointer" to the holy mosque.so who's going to makkah cann tell the position of the holy mosque between the mountains from Makkah's borders.and it's gonna be the only super tall in the area around the holy mosque.
beside it's a perfect height for the lunar observation center in the top of it.

Don't like the idea and the building. It doesn't fit to Mecca and Kaaba :(

guys,the whole point is to create like what you can call "a giant pointer" to the holy mosque.so who's going to makkah cann tell the position of the holy mosque between the mountains from Makkah's borders.and it's gonna be the only super tall in the area around the holy mosque.
beside it's a perfect height for the lunar observation center in the top of it.

Yup!! But does it should be that close to Kaaba as the picture shown??:ohno:
It's high enough to point out the position of Holy Mosque but not necessary to be that close..:nuts:

That's only my opinion..anyone??

Yup!! But does it should be that close to Kaaba as the picture shown??:ohno:
It's high enough to point out the position of Holy Mosque but not necessary to be that close..:nuts:

That's only my opinion..anyone??I think 90 per cent of Skyscrapercity agrees that this is madness and just a matter of showing off power and money, just review this thread back and you'll see it. Only what's the point of repeating it, most people just left this thread in disappointment and did not turn back...

I think 90 per cent of Skyscrapercity agrees that this is madness and just a matter of showing off power and money, just review this thread back and you'll see it. Only what's the point of repeating it, most people just left this thread in disappointment and did not turn back...

This is the fault of town planner but not architect~:bash:
Haha~should I leave this thread~:lol:

ByeBye~:cheers:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3124/3165496427_f3177fa54e.jpg

WOW!

Sorry to go off-topic, but is it just me that can't stop focusing on the mountains in the distance and thinking it's like an optical illusion - makes me think i'm going cross-eyed..

Wow, thats so wierd, i see it too now.

i like it!

Full Size (http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1026/3165501409_84b4d5739e_o.jpg)
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1026/3165501409_4afbd9a434.jpg

by Saudi guy

it's incredible the number of cranes that they are using to build it... :nuts:

Central Makkah redevelopment got approved yesterday:
after one year of the proposal to redevelop makkah finally get approval (north side of al haram) more pictures tomorrow.
Full Size (http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/1688/p1060955lt7.jpg)
http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/2562/p1060955tp6.jpg

Full Size (http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/8347/p1060976ra6.jpg)
http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/5563/p1060976oc1.jpg

West Gate Project
Full Size (http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/6614/p1060971dd7.jpg)
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/1477/p1060971pf9.jpg

I think 90 per cent of Skyscrapercity agrees that this is madness and just a matter of showing off power and money, just review this thread back and you'll see it. Only what's the point of repeating it, most people just left this thread in disappointment and did not turn back...[/QUOTE]

you may be right about the formuers that leave this thread in disappointment but you and them have the wrong idea about why this complex is near the mosque and it is because it will always be a resource centre in close range to the holy mosque it's not just a hotel or an apartment for the rich but its also a prayer area a medical centre a mall light rail w etc....

By the way this project is an End mount to king abdullazize so all the money this project draws goes for the holy mosque and its expeditions.

oil money spent horribly...

Central Makkah redevelopment got approved yesterday:


Great .. I hope it comes true

thx for the updates, the main tower seems to be arround 280m now, maybe a bit more. so it will be a supertall soon :)

What will happen to the all the inhabitants and shops around the mosque? Will they just destroy all their houses for this madness?