MECCA | Abraj Al-Bait Endowment | 601m | 1972ft | 95 fl | T/O

[abumuhannadh]

Originally Posted by kraperchunks

I know this isn't the place to ask, but it always puzzled me how they keep non-Muslims away? Is there some kind of certificate that exists?

I've been trolling this thread for quite some time, and the speed of the construction seems unreal! That observation deck will be the highest in the world won't it?

a certificate that confirms that you are muslim will suffice. but they don't check everyone, just randomly.

and yes, that observation deck will be highest.

[ausie]

i always thought there was like an ancient wall around the city and like toll booths to get into the city and check for non muslims, sorry for slightly off topic. and also can the top of this be seen from outside of the muslim only area? and one last thing, is there going to be an observation deck inside the spire area, above the clock

[droneriot]

There are hills around Mecca, you could probably find one in the free-for-all area and see this building with binoculars, if you were so inclined.

[RaphiHK]

Originally Posted by rotterdamarchitect

Will this be the second tallest building on earth?

Maybe not the tallest building but it could be the biggest facility in the world !!!!!

[abumuhannadh]

Originally Posted by ausie

i always thought there was like an ancient wall around the city and like toll booths to get into the city and check for non muslims, sorry for slightly off topic. and also can the top of this be seen from outside of the muslim only area? and one last thing, is there going to be an observation deck inside the spire area, above the clock

yes, it can be easily seen from outside the prohibited area, but you need a binocular to see any detail. and climbing a hill will show more of it.

and yes, there will be an observation deck above the clock and just below the crescent.

[abumuhannadh]

Originally Posted by RaphiHK

Maybe not the tallest building but it could be the biggest facility in the world !!!!!

second after Dubai airport terminal after the new phase of it finished.

[patrykus]

Originally Posted by abumuhannadh

a certificate that confirms that you are muslim will suffice. but they don't check everyone, just randomly.

and yes, that observation deck will be highest.

No, it won't hold even this record (at least not for long). The Shanghai Tower will have the highest obs deck.

[Macaquito]

Kistch design

[Ni3lS]

It would be great if you guys could just ignore the tags. We'll take care of that whenever we see them, no need to make a scene here. Also, keep it building related. Stop talking about the islam religion, that would stop attracting trolls etc. as well.

[ibib]

Thanks for your hard work!

[abodi_cool]

I heart Abraj Al-Bait =D

[abumuhannadh]

January 18

image hosted on flickr

[KillerZavatar]

Originally Posted by abumuhannadh

January 18

image hosted on flickr

looks so unreal wow

[Roukaya19]

Beautiful view!

image hosted on flickr

ABRAJ AL BAIT-makkah par Youssef_Ahmed, sur Flickr

[JOKER07]

looks great,

[Roukaya19]

Do you want to see a bar ?

image hosted on flickr


Have a close look of a bar!...see bottom left

image hosted on flickr

al haram par inthedil, sur Flickr

[fayzoon]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBI5i...tailpage#t=14s

[KillerZavatar]

Originally Posted by fayzoon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBI5i...tailpage#t=14s

haha have seen it before, you posted it somewhere else already i think x)

[ibib]

Thanks to the_shark1401

[aswalli]

A couple new articles on this project. Please don't shoot the messenger - I'm simply sharing the articles.

Yale Daily News - Neglecting the past we’ve built
Here is an excerpt:

But first, what constitutes ugly? I would point to another building in the works: the Royal Mecca Clock Tower. Destined to rank among the world’s tallest buildings and standing in plain sight of worshippers in the Grand Mosque, its aesthetic failings are so egregious as to be almost criminal.

It is morally ugly: slated to be filled with high-end retail, high-priced hotel rooms, and higher priced condos, it mocks the piety of the worshippers below.

It is ugly in that which it replaces. A wall of soulless glass and steel will blot out mountain vistas.

But most of all, it is contextually ugly.

Illume Magazine - Luxury Architecture in Mecca: Has Hajj Lost Its Egalitarian Spirit?
by Arwa Aburawa, a Muslim
Here is an excerpt:

Now nearing completion, the ‘Royal Mecca Clock Tower’ which is one of the tallest buildings in the world and resembles London’s Big Ben, appears to have delivered the final blow to Mecca’s architectural dignity and the egalitarian spirit of hajj.