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

[OneWorldTradeCenter]

I dislike this building.

[eburress]

I don't actually think it's that bad and it's a vast improvement over the architecture that surrounds it. ;)

[HomeInMyShoes]

It's scale still seems a bit off to me, but I'm liking it more and more. I'm not a big fan of the skywalks between the towers, but it's just so impressive from that side angle.

[PhxPavilion]

How can there be only 1,000 rooms!? Seems like 5,000 would be easy, if not more.

When you have 11,811 sq foot rooms is it any wonder?

[steveve]

I dislike this building.

It's definitely different and something we haven't really seen before... It's got massive height and size... an enormous building..

I'm not so fond of this building either but it's unique in its own sense :shrug:

[Pizzuti]

I don't actually think it's that bad and it's a vast improvement over the architecture that surrounds it. ;)

What's that supposed to mean?

[Duffstuff129]

What's that supposed to mean?

He doesn't like ugly, featureless, Brutalist architecture?

[Pizzuti]

I don't think that's what he meant; I've certainly never been in the Masjid al Haram but I think its about as far from "brutalist" as you can get.

[Duffstuff129]

I don't think that's what he meant; I've certainly never been in the Masjid al Haram but I think its about as far from "brutalist" as you can get.

It's fun to be offended and stand up for the "little guy" (a religion with over a billion people) but I'm sure he was talking about the massive sea of concrete bunkers surrounding this building for miles than one relatively small piece of architecture.

[kw5150]

How convoluted and irresponsible. Who gets to go inside? Only the rich and famous. What a drastic blow to a big city and the world. The excess of the rich in current society is disgusting.

[Pizzuti]

It's fun to be offended and stand up for the "little guy" (a religion with over a billion people) but I'm sure he was talking about the massive sea of concrete bunkers surrounding this building for miles than one relatively small piece of architecture.

Not offended, just wanted clarity. The wink thing made me think there was subtext beyond the surrounding low- and mid-rises.

[eburress]

It's fun to be offended and stand up for the "little guy" (a religion with over a billion people) but I'm sure he was talking about the massive sea of concrete bunkers surrounding this building for miles than one relatively small piece of architecture.

Sorry for the confusion, but no, there was no subtext or agenda. I was talking about much of the rest of the city - the ugly, featureless, Brutalist architecture.

[747]

it sure is interesting

[SkyscrapersOfNewYork]

simply bad architecture of gargantuan proportions...

[OneWorldTradeCenter]

simply bad architecture of gargantuan proportions...

I agree 100%!!!

[howardroark]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d8/Moskau_Uni.jpg
(Moscow University).

:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

[sammyg]

I don't think that's what he meant; I've certainly never been in the Masjid al Haram but I think its about as far from "brutalist" as you can get.

The problem is that the Masjid al-Haram is the only thing left that isn't an ugly concrete box, thanks to the al-Sauds.

[alex1]

Sorry for the confusion, but no, there was no subtext or agenda. I was talking about much of the rest of the city - the ugly, featureless, Brutalist architecture.

i don't know. Seems that the surrounding areas is quite rich in how the city reacts to the street. This mega-project doesn't have that going for it. I do think that architecture is more than just what something looks like.

[eburress]

i don't know. Seems that the surrounding areas is quite rich in how the city reacts to the street. This mega-project doesn't have that going for it. I do think that architecture is more than just what something looks like.

Maybe so, but I was purely comparing the aesthetic.

[newyorkthing10]

Also, the renders don't look like 577m, it looks more like 400ish.
The rendering looks like 350 and with the pinnacle it looks like 420

[OneWorldTradeCenter]

The rendering looks like 350 and with the pinnacle it looks like 420

This height would be enough. 577m is too tall for this one.

[red-paladin]

Wow. Talk about high density. I agree that it's kitschy and garish with the gigantic clock and the pseudo-Islamic architecture. I don't know enough about all the claims the Saudis are destroying many of the holy and historic places, but I'm pretty sure the Prophet watching from heaven is not impressed with a lot of what is going on in that country. I agree that the Vatican would never allow such a thing to be built next door.

[kingsdl76]

The corrupted Wahabi Saudi Royal family have destroyed the Prophet's home along with other ancient sites to build multi-billion dollar skyscrapers. It goes against everything this area represented and looks completely out of place. Can you imagine a monster like this being built on the doorstep of the Christian Vatican??

Islamic architecture had always been innovative and tasteful, from Moorish Spain to Ottoman Turkey, now we have Saudi Royals drunk on oil putting up this insult....

"He said: 'Tell me about its signs'. The Prophet (pbuh) replied: '.....you shall see these bare footed, naked, and poor shepherds [of Arabia] competing with each other in making high buildings'"

What better place than on the doorstep of Makkah.

Everybody please read this: http://www.petitiononline.com/ma363724/petition.html



Interesting quote... it sort of mirrors the old Testament story regarding the Tower of Babel... about men trying to build a structure to reach the heavens. God subsequently stops the men by striking them all with different languages... etc. You may be familiar with the story..... just thought it was an interesting parallel.

[malec]

Update of the top of the tower

from (abumuhannadh's) update photo:

http://center.jeddahbikers.com/download.php?img=281636

[OneWorldTradeCenter]

GUYS, please have a look at that press release. Oh my godness, if that is true, it says that Abaraj Al Bait will only be 11 meters shorter than Burj Khalifa???!!

Is that a mistake?

http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Second-tallest-skyscraper-in-the-world-for-Mecca-18155.html

[steveve]

GUYS, please have a look at that press release. Oh my godness, if that is true, it says that Abaraj Al Bait will only be 11 meters shorter than Burj Khalifa???!!

Is that a mistake?

http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Second-tallest-skyscraper-in-the-world-for-Mecca-18155.html

it could be a mistake but if its true...

THATS INSANE!!!!!

[Tom In Chicago]

he Mecca Royal Clock Tower (pictured) will consist of a reinforced concrete structure 662 meters high. . .

Burj Khalifa is 828 meters tall. . . 166 meters "taller" than MRCT. . .

The skyscraper will be only 11 meters lower than the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. . .

Lower as in relation to what? Height to tip of building as measured from sea level perhaps?

. . .

[SkyscrapersOfNewYork]

this tower is so bad it literally makes me sick....

[Indescribable]

"The Mecca Royal Clock Tower (pictured) will consist of a reinforced concrete structure 662 meters high, to be completed by June. To this a metal spiral structure 155 meters high will be added, inside which a clock 45 feet wide and 43 high will be placed. Six feet larger than the famous Big Ben in London. The clock is to be set in motion in the middle of August, just days before the start of the holy month of Ramadan."

Given the comparison photo above, it looks like this quote is very inaccurate.

[Aleks]

yeah, why did they say its only 6 feet larger than big ben? this thing (by thing i mean clock) is massive, big ben doesnt even come close!

i didnt use to like this building, but it grew on me a lot. i actually like it a lot now. i still wish it was a kilometer away from the mosque, but it's not as hideous as people make it seem (imo). i would actually love to go to the top floors, they seem like they'll hold some cool exhibits and things. plus on this one you can actually go almost all the way up, just look at that outdoor viewing platform! i can only imagine what the ginormous crescent will look like from underneath!

[muppet]

they've confused metres with feet again

[OneWorldTradeCenter]

I don't think so. The newspaper is simply wrong. Have a look at the elevation drawing. 591m, 1939ft is the correct figure. The newspaper says that it will be complete by June 2010. Rediculous. That's not possible. It's still not topped-out. I guess that will happen by the end of this year.

[leftopolis]

A recent pic:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4538037525_5db3041f4a_o.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4538037525_5db3041f4a_o.jpg

Also, to clear up some confusion regarding the clock--it's being done by another company. I'm not sure, but it almost seems like it will be lifted into place, once it's been built...

More info and lots of close-up pics here:

http://www.pct.ae/composite_projects.php?project=1

Premier Composite Technologies will supply the uppermost 200 metres of the tower, a project that involves 35,000m2 of cladding made from glass fibre composites.

Premier Composite Technologies will also laminate the Epoxy glassfibre foam sandwich clock faces that each measure 43m diameter. The massive clock hands, measuring 23m in length, will be produced from carbon fibre prepegs.

The Dokaae Tower will be covered in Italian mosaic titles, 13,000 of which are made from real gold. 700,000 LED lights will also be integrated into the composite cladding to light up the clock face by night.

It's too bad the intricate details won't be visible up close. Here's a sample pic from the above link:
http://www.pct.ae/gallery_images/project1_img18.jpg

[OneWorldTradeCenter]

Sorry but it's simply ugly!

That should not mean, that I dislike islamtic architecture. It's very interesting architecture, but not at such a huge complex. :yuck:

[AtlantaMustang]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4538037525_5db3041f4a_o.jpg

This pic actually makes it look interesting. I like how the lower buildings come to points on the front.

[photoLith]

I want to see what this tower looks like in the skyline or the lack thereof in Mecca. By the way, the detail in that clock looks incredible.

[leftopolis]

I want to see what this tower looks like in the skyline or the lack thereof in Mecca. By the way, the detail in that clock looks incredible.
I know this isn't quite what you had in mind, but as I understand it, the city is a vast construction site right now. Evidently this billboard is at the construction site and has a countdown clock to when the actual clock will be installed. Although according to the DallasNews story below(which looks like a tranlation from an Arabic paper), it's a countdown to the 25 hotels. That's the corner of Abraj Al-Bait on the left side of the billboard--even the 48 story hotels will look puny next to the monolith!:

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/7928/s114.jpg
http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/7928/s114.jpg
I think the series of similar buildings is this hotel project:
From: http://www.dallasnews.com/ (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/columnists/chall/stories/DN-hall_17bus.ART.State.Edition1.3ceabcf.html)

Dallas-based Wilson Associates, considered among the elite of the world's hospitality interior design firms, was chosen to design 19 hotels going up simultaneously in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the religion he founded.

Unlike other fantastic projects that have come her way – the Atlantis in the Bahamas, the Venetian Las Vegas and Venetian Macau and palaces for Middle Eastern royals – this project is spiritually unparalleled.

The hotels are part of a $6 billion redevelopment in Mecca, center of the Islamic world. More than 65,000 pilgrims from around the globe come to the Grand Mosque every day. And many of them need places to stay.


The firm will design more than 10,500 rooms in 25 towers, ranging from 20 to 48 stories, all with views of the city and surrounding holy sites. It will also design 17 grand lobbies and 40 food and beverage outlets.

But there are no bars, spas or health clubs. "No elevator music – just the call to prayer via the PA system," Wilson says.

The hotel brands involved are Conrad, Westin, Sheraton, Marriott, Hilton, Radisson Blu, Mercure and Novotel.


Here's one more clock pic:
http://www.pct.ae/gallery_images/project1_img15.jpg

BTW, I'm getting some of this via Arabic sites, initially--so if I'm sounding a little vague, it's because I don't speak Arabic! It truly is a bummer that information is so limited on what's happening there.

[Aleks]

wow, that clock is beautiful. it'll make an amazing sight when seen from below.

[jamesinclair]

"The hotel brands involved are Conrad, Westin, Sheraton, Marriott, Hilton, Radisson Blu, Mercure and Novotel. "


Ah yes, just what the holy location needed, a Sheraton.

[Lecom]

BTW, I'm getting some of this via Arabic sites, initially--so if I'm sounding a little vague, it's because I don't speak Arabic! It truly is a bummer that information is so limited on what's happening there.

Google Translation speaks Arabic, so go ahead and post the info you've got :tup:

[leftopolis]

These were posted Aug. 31st 2008--so while a bit dated, they're the most spectacular collection I've seen thus far. The city is growing very rapidly. It's also very hilly--just no trees/shrubbery--so creating high-rises wil probably continue in clusters, wherever possible. Those tightly packed, shady alleys are probably a great relief in a city that can reach 100F+ throughout the year.

From Here (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=698324):

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3052/2812217926_a3b16b8733_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3094/2811369129_135f11254d_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3101/2812214512_8b6a75318d_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3192/2812223490_de9d654270_o.jpg

[leftopolis]

Evidently the company doing the composite work of the clock face, including up to the crescent moon on top, is also doing some roofing shapes @ Foster's project(the HSR connecting Mecca, Medina, Jeddah):
PREMIER COMPOSITE TECHNOLOGIES BUILD HARAMAIN STATION MOCK UP FOR FOSTER+PARTNERS (http://www.pct.ae/composite_news_story.php?s=7&np=1)

***************************************

Also, the "guts" of the clock, have been worked on for 2 years already--there are a few fascinating pics at the link below:
Mar '08: Fabrication has started for the Makkah Clock Tower Project (http://www.cimtas.com.tr/WhatsNew/mtt2008.htm)

The structural steel works fabrication has been started at Cimtas Gemlik Works for the Makkah Clock Tower which is part of the DOKAAE project in KSA. Çimtaş’s scope includes detailing, modeling, supply, fabrication, and erection of 10,000 tons of structural steel with built-up columns and hot-rolled beams. The project comprises of a 245 m-tall steel structure clock tower will be built on top of a 346 m-tall concrete structure. The tower will support the world’s largest 4 clocks with a diameter of 43 meters each. When completed this tower will be 591 meters tall and will become one of the tallest buildings in the world.


This thing may actually be topped out by the end of the year--considering the final 200M are a separate project well under way.

[OneWorldTradeCenter]

Nice shots. This tower will contain of the heighest observation decks in the world. I guess it will be the second tallest at 558m, surpassed only by the one of Shanghai Tower.

[muppet]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4550504912_78e4207239.jpg
www.flickr.com/4006, www.skyscrapercity.com

[leftopolis]

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/8320/45952902266472d46281o.jpg
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/8320/45952902266472d46281o.jpg

http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/4152/45952935026afff12bfdo.jpg
http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/4152/45952935026afff12bfdo.jpg

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/3812/mecd.jpg
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/3812/mecd.jpg

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/5599/mc2u.jpg
http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/5599/mc2u.jpg

This pic is a couple of weeks older--for comparison purposes, but also it gives a sense of how "done" the project is looking:

http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/722/454227117396b7c86151o.jpg
http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/722/454227117396b7c86151o.jpg

[photoLith]

I am sure that the scale of this thing cant be fully appreciated unless you were standing there. Its massive.

[colemonkee]

I think the people in the second picture give a pretty good idea of scale, which impressive to say the least.

[leftopolis]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3646/4559736125_1a1e62c6b4_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3646/4559736125_1a1e62c6b4_b.jpg

On edit:
I don't know about anybody else, but I sure am frustrated with the challenge of finding any current construction pics. Big Mo is supposed to be up and running/keeping time (on all 4 sides)--by August. Seeing that portion of the building under construction--which already has been in progress for several weeks--is possibly the most exciting part(other than the topping out with the crescent moon).

[John Hinds]

Looking at the image above I can't help but think that they've replaced/overshadowed a religious temple with a new giant temple of wealth and tourism.

[evanmack]

Looking at the image above I can't help but think that they've replaced/overshadowed a religious temple with a new giant temple of wealth and tourism.

agreed. hard to wrap my mind around it

[PhxPavilion]

Looking at the image above I can't help but think that they've replaced/overshadowed a religious temple with a new giant temple of wealth and tourism.

Eh, one in the same.

[alex1]

looks like Vegas.

[MolsonExport]

the surrounding cityscape looks as dry as a box of melba toast

[JHoward88]

I ran across an old arabic advertisement for this building somewhere. The structure is impressive in my opinion, but the location is a head turner. It isn't any of my business, but I am inclined to imagine that there are lots of Muslim people who probably have mixed feelings about a Vagas-style facility towering over Mecca. I've never been super fond of muslims, but... I hate to see any culture invaded in such an apparently irreverent way. Couldn't they build it at least far enough away from the prayer site that its shadow doesn't engulf the shrine? *shrug* It seems like the equivalent of a Chase Manhattan Tower being randomly built in the middle of that big plaza at the Vatican.

[shakman]

I ran across an old arabic advertisement for this building somewhere. The structure is impressive in my opinion, but the location is a head turner. It isn't any of my business, but I am inclined to imagine that there are lots of Muslim people who probably have mixed feelings about a Vagas-style facility towering over Mecca. I've never been super fond of muslims, but... I hate to see any culture invaded in such an apparently irreverent way. Couldn't they build it at least far enough away from the prayer site that its shadow doesn't engulf the shrine? *shrug* It seems like the equivalent of a Chase Manhattan Tower being randomly built in the middle of that big plaza at the Vatican.

I can tell you that I a really upset Muslim seeing this built near our most sacred site. Just imagine something as such being built next to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem or any sacred shrine of any religion. To me this is beyond irrelevant; this is desecration

[JHoward88]

^ Shakman, Your feelings are entirely understandable. In my previous post above, I declared that "I've never been super fond of muslims...". As you are a Muslim, I would like to apologize to you and any other Muslim readers for my phrasing as it comes across as condescending. In hindsight, I should have left that phrase out.

More appropriately worded, Islamic culture is rather alien to me, and in light of the events of the last decade, I admittedly struggle with anti-Muslim stigma. I don't want to drag this thread off topic, but I do want to make it clear to you and others that I respect individuals, their traditions, and their faiths.

[Lecom]

I actually like the structure's placement, to an extent. It visually draws the eye to the site of the Muslim holy of holies from tens of miles away, and it is topped with a religious symbol as opposed to a commercial one.

[Crush_Buds]

I actually like the structure's placement, to an extent. It visually draws the eye to the site of the Muslim holy of holies from tens of miles away, and it is topped with a religious symbol as opposed to a commercial one.

I wholeheartedly agree.

:tup:

[SkyscrapersOfNewYork]

this thing just gets uglier and uglier...i rlly cant think of a worse supertall

[vandelay]

I actually like it, both as a symbol and as a structure. It looks like something you'd find on Arrakis.

[OneWorldTradeCenter]

Well, it's a landmark for Mecca. And it represents the islamic architecture. I only think it's too tall. ~400m would be enough.

[OneWorldTradeCenter]

Guys, an update: This tower is going to be 601 meters tall. Check out the SSC thread and CTBUH: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=334299&page=236 & http://buildingdb.ctbuh.org/index.php?do=building&building_id=84

Floor count is 95 now!

Updates from SSC:
http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/8807/4808552710f928ae92a9b.jpg

[harryc]

Thank you for the update, instant vertical density.

[colemonkee]

Wow, the clock looks a lot better than I thought it would.

[DecoJim]

Even if one can argue about the style and placement of this project, it is certainly impressive for its size.

It looks like its always 2 "O" clock in Mecca!

[Aleks]

wow, impressive! except i really wish they hadn't used that color in the upper part of the facade and that gold glass? :yuck:

[navyweaxguy]

Now that it is really taking shape I like how the clock makes the building not look so overwhelmingly huge. The complex is growing on me!

[eburress]

Yeah, I think the structures are much nicer/better than most people gave them credit for being.

[kenratboy]

I cannot even fathom how much just a basic room, facing the Kaaba during the Hajj, would cost.

[koops65]

I guess your basic, 50 metre tall/wide clock is gonna be rather impressive...

Great tower BTW... doesn't matter what city it's being built in... all of the political comments made here are beside the point.

[Spocket]

Actually , for as much as I still think it's a bit grotesque , I've got to admit that the clock doesn't look half bad (at this stage at least) Overall , it's coming out infinitely better than the renderings suggested .

[GO_UAE]

I can tell you that I a really upset Muslim seeing this built near our most sacred site. Just imagine something as such being built next to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem or any sacred shrine of any religion. To me this is beyond irrelevant; this is desecration

One of the major signs of the end of the world drawing nearer was foretold by the prophet mohammed PBUH 1400 years ago when he said the bare foot bedouin goat herders will suprass the entire world with supertalls then start competing with each other

so offensive or not , we cant say it shouldnt of happened !

[GulfArabia]

They installed some of the side decorations and definitely going up fast. Hopefully we'll get more clearer pictures soon.

http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/8672/112kw.jpg

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/8835/milanesta6d8753f3f0.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/4808519566_00a56d45b8_b.jpg

NEW RENDERS after they increased the hight to 601 meters (95 floors)


http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/6158/50384762.gif

http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/7370/85171065.gif

http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/4468/49374417.gif

day
http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/9649/north.gif
night
http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/5593/northnight.gif

http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/1716/northerneastnight.gif

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/3796/section.gif

http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/2820/steelsection2.gif

http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/1402/motor3.gif

http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/1323/motor2.gif

i noticed that there are some who are comparing this building to "las vegas". i think that Las Vegas is the one which stole islamic architecture and turned it into casinos and so and not the other way around.

all the money profited from this building goes to the maintenance of the 2 holy mosques in the kingdom.

they announced that there will be a documentary on the building soon after opening.

the clock will start ticking before the islamic month of ramadan (2 weeks left)

the whole project's dead line is 27 / dec / 2010

[Aleks]

wow, those renders are amazing.

but wait, how is the clock supposed to be lit green??? i thought the clock was solid, unless the white part's semi transparent and can be back-lit at night?

[Mazrim]

wow, those renders are amazing.

but wait, how is the clock supposed to be lit green??? i thought the clock was solid, unless the white part's semi transparent and can be back-lit at night?

Biggest indiglo watch face in the world? ;)

[Yael]

WOW!!!!
This Tower is one of those kind of architecture that is one of a kind, and
that is like a reference point like the Tag Mahal. :)
Amazing!!!

[GulfArabia]

wow, those renders are amazing.

but wait, how is the clock supposed to be lit green??? i thought the clock was solid, unless the white part's semi transparent and can be back-lit at night?

http://www.pct.ae/gallery_images/project1_img15.jpg

if you look very closely u will see the LED Lights

TESTING THE CLOCK LED LIGHTS:

eQF27l3Lu_U

ABRAJ AL BAIT VIDEO:


3Aszp6pQSwk

[colemonkee]

Amazing info and renders. Thank you GulfArabia. The level of detail on that clock is something you just don't see anymore. That alone deserves applause. I can't wait to see the finishes on the spire structure above it, especially the jade-like glass element.

I think the level of detail overall is the saving grace of this tower. Yes, it is grossly out of scale with it's surroundings, but so was the Empire State Building when it was built. What they're doing here is employing a level of craftsmanship that we really haven't seen in too many cases after WWII. Yes, it has an unabashed Islamic design, which may not appeal to more western sensibilities, but that's perfectly fine given it's location and context.

[photoLith]

Well, maybe this tower wont be so allah aweful as we thought it was going to be. That clock looks simply amazing and as said before the amount of detail in the building is unlike anything we see anymore. I only wish one day that I could get to see Mecca, Ill just have to fake being a Muslim I guess.

[OneWorldTradeCenter]

NEW RENDERS after they increased the hight to 601 meters (95 floors)



I ponited that out some posts before. But good that you said this again.

:previous: Nice renders

[GulfArabia]

Looking Great

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/2655/dsc01676x.jpg

[GulfArabia]

http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/5897/4846388001156ebaa2d4b.jpg

[GulfArabia]

http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/6384/48463878435b1bbc4bc3b.jpg

http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/4715/project1img6.jpg

http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/5593/northnight.gif

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/6388/479332991717dcd10706b.jpg

[Infernal_Elf]

thats one big clock tower and the whole structure is so massive.


the last picture is very intresting plenty of old buildings and then suddenly this enormous 21 century skyscraper city

[brian.odonnell20]

Thats one ugly building/collection of buildings. If the middle east wants to be on the world stage of skyscraper building, at least make the projects attractive at all. Because its not like this will ever be even half occupied, or remembered in 5 years.

[OneWorldTradeCenter]

Topping out is nearing....

[gnmpf74]

(...) or remembered in 5 years.

I think, that´s not their intention. And at the Hajj, this will be full uccupied..

I like this massive complex.

[JHoward88]

In Post #583, bottom photo, we see old buildings in the shadow of the new tower. I can't help imagining that those old buildings must be structurally unsafe, using few if any building codes. They almost look slummy, which is ironic considering the luxury of that new hotel. There is something strange about seeing multi-billion-dollar projects rising up in such otherwise shabby looking places.

[MolsonExport]

Am I the only person surprised that they are not using Arabic numerals for the clock?

[GulfArabia]

Am I the only person surprised that they are not using Arabic numerals for the clock?

Arabic numerals = 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 0 = They would look bad on the tower

the || looks much better

[GulfArabia]

In Post #583, bottom photo, we see old buildings in the shadow of the new tower. I can't help imagining that those old buildings must be structurally unsafe, using few if any building codes. They almost look slummy, which is ironic considering the luxury of that new hotel. There is something strange about seeing multi-billion-dollar projects rising up in such otherwise shabby looking places.

http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/1751/mecca.jpg

http://localhostr.com/files/1dcadc/Screen+shot+2010-07-27+at+5.20.33+PM.jpg

The whole area will be demolished and redeveloped, its part of the 2020 Makkah smart city. u can see in the photo above the number of buildings demolished, i head the owners of these old buildings got hundreds of millions each. the lands around the holy mosque is known to be the most expensive on earth.

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/9333/diminsionsnt8copygk1.jpg

http://img104.herosh.com/2010/06/16/595837433.jpg

Jabal Omar project:

Wilson Associates' Saudi project is design firm's biggest yet
12:00 AM CDT on Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Trisha Wilson has landed the biggest project in her 39-year-old firm's history.
And that's saying something.
Dallas-based Wilson Associates, considered among the elite of the world's hospitality interior design firms, was chosen to design 19 hotels going up simultaneously in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the religion he founded.
The hotels are part of a $6 billion redevelopment in Mecca, center of the Islamic world. More than 65,000 pilgrims from around the globe come to the Grand Mosque every day. And many of them need places to stay.

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/5926/jocopy.jpg
http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/7928/s114.jpg
http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/7220/perspective.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3136/3098937723_e7351f4a90_o.jpg

[GulfArabia]

NEW RENDERS :

http://www.alriyadh.com/2010/08/02/img/167138846370.jpg

http://www.alriyadh.com/2010/08/02/img/083324227073.jpg

http://www.alriyadh.com/2010/08/02/img/884349183823.jpg

http://www.alriyadh.com/2010/08/02/img/021479589619.jpg

http://www.alriyadh.com/2010/08/02/img/897600463636.jpg

http://www.alriyadh.com/2010/08/02/article548762.html
:D

[GulfArabia]

NEW RENDERS

http://www.alriyadh.com/2010/08/03/img/796954909616.jpg

http://www.alriyadh.com/2010/08/03/img/865846635213.jpg

[GulfArabia]

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/2506/4854650459e36085d45eb.jpg

[JHoward88]

Second image from the bottom in #591: That archway is absolutely awesome. I can't say I'm a big fan of Mecca... but darn, that is some snappy architecture!

[MolsonExport]

That city badly needs some greenery. Looks like a city on the moon. I know it is right in the desert, but some irrigation would work wonders.

[GulfArabia]

NEW PICTURES & RENDERS


http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/6821/5890212807587702728.jpg

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/6842/5890612807587775351.jpg

http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/2633/5890812807587815676.jpg

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/6149/5891012807587845719.jpg

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/9530/5891212807587885508.jpg

http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/8809/5890012807587646484.jpg

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/4513/5891412807587923397.jpg

http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/9319/5891612807587975810.jpg

http://img806.imageshack.us/img806/8192/5891812807588033772.jpg

http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/7595/5892012807588097584.jpg

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/7623/589221280758813485.jpg

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/2614/589261280758821700.jpg

http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/6740/5892812807588265030.jpg

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/2226/5893412807588375169.jpg

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/8594/5893012807588306305.jpg

http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/9249/5893212807588338302.jpg

http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/5223/5893612807590406669.jpg

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/1274/589401280759050479.jpg

http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/7892/5895012807615636715.jpg

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/3240/5894412807615474263.jpg

[Tom In Chicago]

GulfArabia Please properly credit your image sources or they will be removed. . . thanks. . .

. . .

[JManc]

i would just like to get out there and say, that is a big damn clock.

[BStyles]

And a very beautiful one at that. It's amazing that it can be powered by such a small motor, but hey, this is 2010.