MECCA | Abraj Kudai | 12 Towers (Worlds Largest Hotel)

[chris08876]

Currently, the title of largest hotel in the world is held by The Venetian and The Palazzo Las Vegas – which operates as a single complex totaling 7117 rooms distributed on 53 floors. However, it appears that their supremacy is coming to an end because, according to The Guardian, the Saudis have just released a construction project of a much MUCH larger hotel in the city of Mecca.

As you probably already know, Mecca – located in Saudi Arabia – is the holiest city in the world for Muslims. More than 20 million people travel to the city every year, and about 2 million of those visitors go specifically during the period of the Hajj.

With all this migration in mind, the Dar Al-Handasah multi-national design group presented their project for the construction of the Abraj Kudai, a hotel with a total site area of approximately 60,000 m² and total built-up area of around 1.4 million m². Besides the 70 restaurants and 4 heliports, the entire complex will have no less than 10,000 rooms – distributed in a total of 12 towers.

The project was inspired by the design of a traditional desert fortress and the towers will stand on top of a 10-story podium, which will include a convention center, shopping mall, food courts, bus station, parking lots and even a luxurious ballroom. The Abraj Kudai will be just 2 kilometers away from the Grand Mosque Masjid al-Haram, which houses the Holy Kaaba.

The towers will have up to 44 floors, and 10 of them will offer four-stars accommodations, while other 2 will offer luxurious five-star amenities. The five top floors will be reserved exclusively for the Saudi royal family. The construction of the hotel is estimated to cost £2.3 billion, and is expected to be completed in 2017.

Status: March



Comparison:

1. MGM Grand Hotel, Las Vegas: 6,198 rooms

2. First World Hotel, Malaysia: 6,118 rooms

3. Luxor Hotel, Las Vegas: 4,400 rooms

4. Mandalay Bay Resort, Las Vegas: 4,332 rooms

5. The Venetian, Las Vegas: 4,049 rooms

Video:

• Video Link


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http://interestingengineering.com/sa....zFsUMI4r.dpuf
http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/21/travel...st-hotel-feat/

[chris08876]

Credit: http://www.constructionweekonline.co...ers-in-makkah/

[tdawg]

Looks like something on Naboo from The Phantom Menace.

[King Kill 'em]

is this the one where the crane fell?

[The North One]

It looks like a massive Las Vegas casino.

Dear god these people are horrible at architecture.

[chris08876]

Originally Posted by King Kill 'em

is this the one where the crane fell?

I think it was because when I was looking for some construction shots, for some reason, the crane falling kept appearing. Plus, judging from the location, it looks like that crane was one of many for this project.

[zulf_kar97]

Originally Posted by chris08876

I think it was because when I was looking for some construction shots, for some reason, the crane falling kept appearing. Plus, judging from the location, it looks like that crane was one of many for this project.

That shot with the multiple cranes is NOT the construction site for this hotel complex known as 'Abraj Kudai' - it's actually a shot of the extension of the mosque to the left to accommodate greater numbers and is now largely completed.

The March update in the OP is the actual location, but not much to see yet.

[RLS_rls]

Are there any pictures of the complex under construction or completed? I can't find anything other than renderings.

[Apey]

Originally Posted by RLS_rls

Are there any pictures of the complex under construction or completed? I can't find anything other than renderings.

I too was going to ask if there was any completed pictures or video? As this project was to be finished a few years ago now!

[photoLith]

I guess the Clock Tower wasn't horribly ugly enough, so they decided to one up the ugliness.