SkyscraperPage Forum

SkyscraperPage Forum (https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/index.php)
-   Completed Project Threads Archive (https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=348)
-   -   MECCA | Abraj Al-Bait | 601m | 1972ft | 95 fl | T/O (https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=129985)

DUBAI2015 Apr 24, 2007 4:00 AM

MECCA | Abraj Al-Bait | 601m | 1972ft | 95 fl | T/O
 
The Abraj Al Bait Towers is a building complex under construction (Completion 2008) in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It will be the largest (not tallest) building in the world by mass, the tallest building in Saudi Arabia, and one of the tallest buildings in the world at 577 m.

The site of the structure is across the street from the entrance to the Masjid al Haram, which houses the Kaaba, the holiest site in Islam. As a result, the Abraj Al Bait Towers will have a large prayer room capable of holding nearly four thousand worshippers. It will contain a five-star hotel to help accommodate the over two million pilgrims who participate in hajj each year.

In addition, the Abraj Al Bait Towers will have a four-story shopping mall and a parking garage capable of holding over eight hundred vehicles. Residential towers will house permanent residents while two heliports and a conference center are to accommodate business travellers. In total, up to 65,000 people would be housed inside the Towers.

Previous Designs:
http://i13.tinypic.com/433bgoo.jpg
400m?

Old Design (2005):
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/730/abbbsnv2.jpg
485m.

Now Design (2007):
http://aawsat.com/english/images/200.../O31708309.jpg
577m.





U/C picture from March
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/133/3...d80e7b43_o.jpg
http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/5196/ab2xp6.jpg

Enjoy! :banana:

Rise To The Top Apr 24, 2007 4:47 AM

577m?! Why did they decide to increase it?

Rise To The Top Apr 24, 2007 4:48 AM

Also, the renders don't look like 577m, it looks more like 400ish.

JMininger Apr 24, 2007 5:00 AM

That thing is massive. I understand the symbolism and, I guess, practicality, but that tower is not at all pleasing to the eye.

Rise To The Top Apr 24, 2007 5:07 AM

Also, that angle is very annoying. You can only see like %20 of the complex. Hopefully updates will be from a roof top nearby.

Stephenapolis Apr 24, 2007 5:57 AM

I really do not like the clock being added. I understand why it is there, it just makes it look like an oversized BigBen imo. Otherwise no complaints from me.

ATLksuGUY Apr 24, 2007 3:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephenapolis (Post 2790169)
I really do not like the clock being added. I understand why it is there, it just makes it look like an oversized BigBen imo. Otherwise no complaints from me.

We americans took London Bridge and now these people want Big Ben:dead:

wong21fr Apr 24, 2007 4:03 PM

I like it, though the clock face is out of place with the rest of the styling and needs a serious redo.

The mass of the complex is the most impressive part.

Bergenser Apr 24, 2007 4:53 PM

I think the design looks much better now!

TheMeltyMan Apr 24, 2007 5:02 PM

I like it. Too bad i'll never see it in person.

I can imagine there would be a great view from the Kaaba but ever visiting there is even less likely.

Dalton Apr 24, 2007 7:51 PM

It's almost Soviet in its clunkiness, especially the ludicrously overscaled clock tower. But surprisingly the actual construction photos make it look a little better than the renderings.

Between this and what Dubai is doing, I guess I'll never understand the Middle Eastern skyscraper aesthetic - or rather, the aesthetic values of the handful of oil sheiks who push these monstrous developments through with no democratic or governmental oversight and approval. It's almost as if the entire region were filled with Donald Trumps who have free reign to indulge their bad taste.

tdawg Apr 24, 2007 8:37 PM

that is the ugliest thing i've ever seen.

alphawolf Apr 24, 2007 9:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dalton (Post 2791340)
It's almost Soviet in its clunkiness, especially the ludicrously overscaled clock tower.

Exactly what I was thinking. Just add a hammer & sickle.

SD_Phil Apr 24, 2007 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DUBAI2015 (Post 2789849)
In total, up to 65,000 people would be housed inside the Towers.

That is an astounding #!

Kngkyle Apr 24, 2007 11:23 PM

Ugly. The 2005 version was the best. 2004 version is the worst, but this latest version isn't far ahead. Not pleasing to look at, but suppose it serves its purpose.

rockyi Apr 24, 2007 11:36 PM

At first glace it looked like the "New York, New York" complex in Las Vegas with Big Ben thrown in.

Not liking it.

TheMeltyMan Apr 24, 2007 11:37 PM

I don't see a problem with it. Its not as if this "Soviet" style of building has a monopoly over design in Russia let alone the world. I say we let cities stray from the American glass tower aesthetic if they want to.

Ute_City Apr 25, 2007 12:05 AM

Looks like a mix of the Venetian in Las Vegas and Big Ben.

NYC2ATX Apr 25, 2007 12:24 AM

wow.....................all i can say.

Dalton Apr 25, 2007 3:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StatenIslander237 (Post 2792148)
wow.....................all i can say.

Perhaps I'm taking it wrong, but your comment reminds me of that exchange in the movie Amadeus between Mozart and his rival Salieri, who is fishing for a compliment after the performance of one of his operas:


Mozart: "I never knew music like that was possible."

Salieri: "You flatter me!"

Mozart: "No, no. One hears such sounds and what can one say but... Salieri."


All times are GMT. The time now is 9:44 PM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.