^What an insightful observation. . . we are all better human beings for having read your post. . .

. . .

Simply stating my stance on this building. Good concept, but unfortunately poorly executed.

Honestly, the building would look alot better without that giant spire topped w/ a golden crescent. It makes it look like it could be the HQ of some evil empire or something(well pretty much Saudi Arabia is a pretty evil empire anyways). Unfortunately they are so obsessed with religion over their they allow it to affect their commercial architecture. If they would make a few minor adjustments it would be alot better

Updates

I agree that the spire with the crescent is the least appealing thing about this building, but I don't think it's going to be that bad either. Everything about this building at every stage has looked much better than it does the rendering, which was cheaply done and unimpressive. I would expect the crescent to follow. It will probably be a brilliant gold color and perhaps (hopefully) it will be scaled down a bit. Either way it will look very small from the ground since it's so high up.

:previous:
its not cheap
the material is the same material that is used to build skyscraper in cities like NYC, Chicago, London, Dubai, and Hong Kong which is metal, steal, reinforced concrete, and glass.
the color and the facade is similar to the holy site in front of this building.
they are using traditional colors: the sandstone, the green, and the blue they are all traditional colors that one will find if they visit Islamic site.

it is a very nice building, but at a very bad location

well then quit buying their oil

ask the city of Vatican if they are obsessed with religion

DUDE! He's talking about the rendering not the building materials. Quit being so freaking sensitive.

^ Hmm, I can't see his post being sensitive at all. Yours on the other hand... :)

I would love to, but it's not a viable option at this point in time.

Of course they're "obsessed" with religion in Mecca, this is, literally, the centerfuge and capital of the second largest religion in the world. If it weren't "obsessed with religion," Mecca would be a near-forgotten dusty town in the desert because there's no other reason to develop the area except to support the the hajj. Mecca is not on any major rivers and it's not on the coast so shipping does not pass through it. They do not drill for oil there and its a long way from meaningful agriculture. There's no reason for a thriving city of 1.7 million people to be here except for the place's religious significance.

How could the tallest tower in such a city not be dominated by an Islamic cresent? Doing otherwise would not be politically tolerable as the building is a private enterprise but encroaches very near to Islam's holiest location.

The Vatican City is all about Roman Catholocism, India builds temples that loom over everything else in the city. And while we may disagree with a devout Muslim's beleif that Islam is the single most important subject humanity witnesses, the rest of us can easily observe that religion is at least a major component of the human condition. Certainly at least 1% of cities in the world can be built on a religious theme, as religion is far more than 1% average person's life.

(Incidentally, the nation's largest city of Riyadh is not dominated by a religious symbol; the tallest structure is a TV tower and the largest structure is a stadium.)

Many cities in the world are dominated by a single theme; Las Vegas is about gambling and tourism - it's skyline is dominated by casinos. Hong Kong is a business hub of Asia and is skyline is full of corporate office towers. Mecca is all about religion and is full of religious iconography. Nothing insidious or surprising about that.

I just don't understand this one.

Pizzuti, thank you for that arguement. I think you made a good point.

Yes, its not most people's favorite style or massing for a major skyscraper complex. I'm certainly not getting on a plane to see it anytime soon, if ever. To bring back the Vegas example, though, the copycat architecture of the heavily-themed resorts there is really by no means high architecture and design, but for the purpose and intention they were built, they've got us convinced. I love Vegas because it's kitschy, as well as fantastic. The Muslim worshippers who make the pilgrimage to Mecca will appreciate this 75-story homage to their religion, and that's probably pretty sick to them. I don't see a problem.

If you don't like them, don't convert to Islam. Everyone's happy.

It's not that bad... Just reminds me soo much of something you would see in Vegas. Thats what kills it for me.

May 2nd by 'asyiqul^huur's

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3335/...fb454e6d_o.jpg

Any further off topic discussion or arguments about what is or what is not off topic will result in suspension. . . those of you who cannot adhere to these rules will be permanently banned. . .

Another update:
 

it's starting to grow on me

i really do like the actual buildings but having them staring down on the grand mosque just doesn't fit well. there is a huge disconnect. this would be like having the empire state building parked right in front of st. peter's square.

though i'm sure logistics and accommodations trumped all other issues.

Not quite an apt comparison...since the structure is there to primarily accomodate pilgrims. There are plenty of hotels in the Vatican area. A quick google, and you come up with: Vatican Hotels, including this one:
http://www.hotelalessandrino.com/ima...me-vatican.jpg