01 March 2019

Dubai Holding,  a leading investment firm in the UAE,  recently unveiled plans for Burj Jumeira, a 550-m-high tower, which will be the centrepiece of a new pedestrian-friendly mixed-use urban destination in the emirate.

The iconic tower strategically located opposite Sheikh Zayed Road in Al Sufouh  has been designed by Chicago-based architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), which is now working on the masterplan for the surrounding Downtown Jumeira district that boast homes, hotel units as well as office space.

Construction will kick off immediately with Phase One of the development set to be delivered in 2023, according to Dubai Holding.

The project was unveiled by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who described the tower and Downtown Jumeira as a continuation of Dubai’s vision of becoming a city of the future distinguished by its intelligent design and cohesive infrastructure and network.

The Dubai developer says the tower’s design was inspired by the harmonious ripples of the UAE’s desert sand dunes and its flowing oases. The façade will be covered with digital displays that can be utilised for various occasions and celebrations.

“Burj Jumeira is bold, elegant, and dynamic,” remarks SOM design partner Mustafa Abadan. “It will tower over Jumeirah as the centerpiece of the neighbourhood, and will feature a synthesised architectural and structural design.”

Burj Jumeira’s impressive height and unique, bifurcated shape were made possible by a collaborative design approach, led out of SOM’s New York office, states the top official.

Abadan says the building’s high-performance architectural and structural design are integrated into a singular expression.

“The geometry of the exterior bracing is optimised to strengthen the tower against lateral forces and the building’s form aerodynamically mitigates the wind loads. A panellised metal facade system seamlessly blends into the structural system, and the central void creates the space for Burj Jumeira’s panoramic views,” he explains.

“The tower’s flowing design emulates the regional dunes and oases of the UAE, while its spherical observation deck is evocative of the native gulf pearl,” he adds.

Burj Jumeira will comprise multiple observation decks with interactive experiences, giving visitors 360-degree panoramic views of Dubai. The main viewing platform is accessible via lifts with modern digital screens that carry the visitor through a distinctive experience until they reach the desired platform. 

According to Dubai Holding, the crown at Burj Jumeira has the inherent flexibility to host a variety of events. At 450-m high, it is capable of expanding to accommodate varying capacities and uses, with the sky-lounge and interconnected sky-restaurant providing an opportunity to host larger scale events. The state-of-the-art technologies deployed inside the crown enable its inner surfaces to be transformed into fully immersive and interactive displays.

The base of the tower is designed in the outline of Sheikh Mohammed’s fingerprint, and is planned to accommodate various social, cultural and artistic events and activities. It will also be home to numerous entertainment options, including water fountains, a terraced outdoor amphitheatre, and is designed to host interactive lighting and fireworks displays. Surrounding the base of Burj Jumeira will be a fully integrated and vibrant retail component.

Downtown Jumeira, a pedestrian-friendly mixed-use urban destination, will be home to both residential and commercial towers and hotels, as well as food and beverage (F&B) concepts, and world-class restaurants.

The area will be underpinned by a comprehensive infrastructure that embraces the latest sustainability solutions and smart technologies.

Connectivity will be a central component of Downtown Jumeira, with a covered pathway connecting the nearby Sharaf DG Metro Station to Burj Jumeira, and all the way through the entire development to Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. Lush neighbourhood parks, large open spaces and shaded streets are key characteristics of the development.   

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