You can if....
 

You can see it in person if you became a Muslim. I would really like to see the whole developent surrounding the building nearing completion and a few more towers as Mecca really needs stunning buildings. I hope they can get the best designers around the world and take inspiration from buildings built and being built to really build some awesome structures. Saudi already has one of the best looking skyscrapers in the world


My favourites are
Burj Khalifahangahi
Shanghai World Financial Centre
International commerce centre
Bahrain WTC
The Shard (UC)
WTC one (UC)

We are going to see some amazing structures in the next 20+ years!

oh my god i didn't even see the side view until now...

I'm aware of that, hence my comment. I think I'll pass.

^
Just fake it, thats what I would do if I ever go there. How in the world would they know if you were or werent?

On another note, this tower imo is so freakin gaudy and tacky. And I cant stand, even though Im not a Muslim, how much freaking history they are utterly destroying in Mecca with this tower and everything else they are doing to the historic core of the city. Saudi Arabia and Islam in general doesnt respect historic things. I think I remember reading that to preserve history would somehow be making it an idol or some crap. What a shame, oh well.

Not something I'd like to risk.

I agree, I think the tower (and it's already failed attempt to change mean time from Greenwich to Mecca) is a sign of arrogance that is not well earned.

I'm not sure about the Islamic world's respect for it's own historic sites, but I'm quite aware of their attitude toward historic sites of other religions: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhas....2C_March_2001 ;)

I am sure many muslims would agree that the Saudi government on many occasions has proven to show little "care" towards historic sites. I just do not see how this is related to Islam. Also, i am aware the internet is the best place for trolls to dump all their bull and try and pass it as fact, but seriously come on , have some self respect and put a little effort into research.Stop embarassing yourself. You think you remember ? No where in islam does it say "destroy" historic sites.

:rolleyes:

Islamic heritage sites
 

I think you are missing the point here - Islam forbids idolatry of any form - you will be surprised that quite a few Muslims unfortunately fall into this trap despite attesting to strict monotheism. Some buildings or sites attract people to such practice as they don’t fully understand their religion. Non-Muslims may find this strange but it is important to understand the religion and cultural significance of this.
I do however see your point in that the Saudi authorities need to balance Islamic heritage sites that do not symbolise any form of idolatry and ensure that they blend 21st architecture with preserved history from the past.
I personally love to see the best designed buildings in the world in Mecca & Medina - not only to serve the purpose of the pilgrims who visit the sites but enhance the beauty of these two holiest cities to the rest of the world. With the number of pilgrims attending Mecca and Medina increasing year by year - this would be a fantastic opportunity for the Saudi authorities to really get the best architects to design the best buildings that complement the surrounding buildings and religious significance of the place.
I see some peoples arguments of the clock tower being out of place - it could have been better I must admit it, however I do think that the Clock tower will grow on people over time as the WTC did in the 1970’s.

Time will tell!

from SSC & http://www.kapl.org.sa

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7042/6...cbdb74d3_z.jpg

In Flickr

Great shot, yousef! It looks like there are still cranes on the back side. Are they still finishing up exterior work?

this building is 120 floors
source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...floors_or_more
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraj_Al_Bait_Towers

Nothing says 'religious pilgrimage' like praying within a sea of skyscrapers and neon lights...might as well put a mat down in central park.

And what about the pilgrims 500 years ago trekking to Chartres Cathedral, or Notre Dame, or the Milan Duomo?

Medieval cathedrals were hardly exercises in humility, solemnity and deference to a creator. They were and still are among the most ostentatious, over-the-top, even garish paeans to any god. Certainly not humble. And the benevolent Catholic Church built these extraordinarily expensive houses of worship to tower above the hovels and shanties and straw huts of the poorest, most destitute serfs in Europe.

We love those buildings and loathe this one, and yet there is no reasonable argument I've heard for how this is any different.

Fantastic! I was wondering what the other development project was across the way?

Thanks

We loathe it because, to us, it looks hideous. There's not much new here. Building big buildings to attract attention and display wealth is not new. Nor is this the first time someone has tried to create a mean time (in this case, a new mean time) in the name of supposed cultural-superiority.

Those Cathedrals you spoke of revolutionized architecture and created new styles. To me, this building signifies a very tacky "new gold" sense of unearned arrogance.

I get your point about Cathedrals being over-the-top and possibly even wasteful for their time, but do you really think the Al-Baijwhatever will stand the test of time like this beauty has?: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laon_Cathedral

Amen.

I still can't really comprehend just how large this building is. It makes the nearby 20 story hotels look like mobile homes.

In that aerial, the scale is just so overwhelming to everything around it. But the detailing on the clock face and crown is incredibly stunning. It's a shame the best part of the building (IMO) is so far off the ground. It would be great if visitors could somehow get a close-up look at that part of it. I'm curious if the detailing throughout both the exterior and interior is as good as the top of the building.

u can see the details from down below .... i went there and it looks better in person and different ... its one of the things that you have to see it your self..

That's good to hear, and speaks to how massive that clock must be in person! Thanks for posting all those interiors as well. It looks fantastic.