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

[Aleks]

i think he was suggesting that the vatican is only a tourist destination, which in fact is, but also the head of the catholic church, a religion which is far from dead. but let's leave that out of this thread please, and stick to the construction of this (and for a moment the mosque which even though is a bit off topic, is neighboring this behemoth).

Originally Posted by GulfArabia

but anyways, there is in-fact a structure around the kaa'ba in that picture, those beautiful arches and domes. those had historic value and could have been saved. but the past is the past so nothing can be done.

moving on, i believe the building does matter. everything matters when designing a structure which will see millions and millions of people each year. plus, if the building didn't matter it wouldn't have so many intricate (faux) details like the arches, the golden stars on the columns, giant chandeliers, etc. the structure itself might be cheaper, but the amount of details put into this building probably puts it in-par with what having simple details, but a challenging structure would have cost (the atkins design would've been quite a feat of engineering and would impress people worldwide).

Back to details, I think something simple would probably actually prove that the building didn't matter because it wouldn't be so distracting and have so much going on on the inside.

plus the atkins design allowed worshipers to view the kaa'ba from both the first and second floor.


Gulf, can you please create a proper thread for the expansion of the mosque on the General Developments section? That way I can move these posts onto the proper thread (and we can finally get more international threads in that section). Thanks in advance.

[GulfArabia]

sure i'll start a thread

but i want to point out that the structure is still there, and soon be removed to make way for ppl to circle the kaabaa in a more round and larger court, it was built in the ottoman empire era (they also removed the older structure)

still here::


still here::




atkins DOES NOT WORK, because it didnt support this part: open link : http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...4/4b/Tavaf.jpg





its the reason the mosque has this tall "run way" and doesn't look like a circle



++ atkins are not muslims

[GulfArabia]

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=186636

[GulfArabia]

Al jazeera flyover footage over makkah after the end of hajj :

• Video Link
Abraj Al-Bait @ 1:40

[Aleks]

it's doing some funky thing when i move the posts to the other thread, so i'll just leave them here, but let's move the mosque convo's to that thread from now on.

EDIT: Please let's just stop the comparison with the vatican and responses. Let's move on to better conversations.

[NYC4Life]

The area's topography is just amazing. A city built around hills.

[GulfArabia]

most of its highways are under these mountains and hills

Originally Posted by ibib

Thanks to hasanhatrash









By Nora Al-ali

The Grand Mosque and the four-faced clock, atop the Abraj Al-Bait Towers are seen from the top of al-Noor mountain in Mecca, Saudi Arabia on Nov. 11, 2010. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar


for more : http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/11/hajj_2010.html

[IMADreamer]

That last picture really puts it all in perspective. I like this building.

[Infernal_Elf]

topped out very soon now amazing pictures thansk for sharing

[GulfArabia]

from Marwan al Marzugy ( flickr )

[AtlantaMustang]

Hmm... that last pic looks very Sci-fi to me

[MolsonExport]

Buck Rogers returns!

[GulfArabia]

By m.alsaadi


By Faisal Alzeer

[GulfArabia]

• Video Link
^^ Abraj Al-Bait @ 1:00

[zulf_kar97]

Earlier someone also commented that the buildings destroyed to make way for any kind of construction within the city of Makkah, including Abraj-al-Bait, were of no historical value. That is not strictly true, some of those destroyed were definitly of historic value and worth preserving.

However, the demands on the city are extreme during the peak Hajj season so one has to understand that certain development activities are required in order to make it easier for people on the ground.

I've been in the midst of the chaotic crush on the ground floor outside the main complex and trust me - you cannot move! Building is necessary.

Can anyone confirm what scale this building has in world terms once complete? Drawings indicate that this will be (for the short term) the 2nd tallest building in the world once topped out.

It is truly monstrous, but has an aesthetic quality i quite like, one of the previous pictures showing it in scale with rest of the city is truly wonderful. I've stayed in this building, the part called the ZamZam Tower Hotel. I look forward to visiting the Royal Clock Tower hotel in the future...

[MolsonExport]

Fascinating video.

[fimiak]

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

Fascinating video.

As an American non-Muslim, is it possible to stay in this hotel? Or is the city entirely reserved for Muslims?

[ThisSideofSteinway]

Originally Posted by fimiak

As an American non-Muslim, is it possible to stay in this hotel? Or is the city entirely reserved for Muslims?

Nope - it's Muslims only:



(Photo courtesy of Wikimedia.org)

[xboarder84]

Does anyone know what construction project is going on on the other side of the kaa'ba? Is there a thread to it or has no one started it yet?

[GulfArabia]

here is my contribution, not as good as some pictures here.












more coming>>>>

Originally Posted by abumuhannadh

the "Annoying Building" has about one third of it removed so far....
















thats all.... hope you like it

Originally Posted by abumuhannadh

>> continued>>>















still more coming>>>>

Originally Posted by abumuhannadh

continued>>>





back clock progress......


















still more coming>>>>>