MECCA | Abraj Al-Bait | 601m | 1972ft | 95 fl | T/O - Page 2

starvinggryphon · #21 Posted **Apr 26, 2007, 3:02 PM**

How bizarre......just bizarre.

The Chemist · #22 Posted **Apr 26, 2007, 3:50 PM**

The 2005 design was definitely the best. The enormous clock face doesn't suit this building, at all.

But since none of us who aren't Muslim will ever see this building anyway, it's no big deal.

skymetalscraper · #23 Posted **Apr 27, 2007, 12:24 PM**

but why only 76 floors for a 577 m. building ??

R@ptor · #24 Posted **Apr 27, 2007, 1:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Chemist

But since none of us who aren't Muslim will ever see this building anyway, it's no big deal.

Actually Saudi Arabia allows western tourists into the country since two years ago. But you have to travel in a group and the annual number of tourist visas is pretty limited. So pretty much the same as with North Korea, which also allows tourists these days.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skymetalscraper

but why only 76 floors for a 577 m. building ??

I would assume that the spire and the clock alone make up for 200-250m of that building, so you have only 320-370m of habitable height left and 76 floors is quite common for such a height.

Tom_Green · #25 Posted **Apr 27, 2007, 1:50 PM**

March 25th

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreaM1981

You are welcome Saudi guy, Riyadhi and Atasaudi

Here are some other pictures... We can see the top of the podium (almost +100 m) and Hotel + Tower Hajer have been started to be built above the podium.

Also, we can see one of towers (Al-Marwa Tower) with all details and it is clear that roof is being built for tents.

24/03/2007

January 19th

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saudi guy

Jan 19 2007

Arunava · #26 Posted **Apr 28, 2007, 7:36 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by R@ptor

Actually Saudi Arabia allows western tourists into the country since two years ago. But you have to travel in a group and the annual number of tourist visas is pretty limited. So pretty much the same as with North Korea, which also allows tourists these days.

I'm pretty sure non-Muslims still aren't allowed in Mecca and Medina.

LMich · #27 Posted **Apr 28, 2007, 7:41 AM**

That is correct, and especially with this being at the Masjid al-Haram. That is, unless you pretend.

mcdonnell77 · #28 Posted **Apr 28, 2007, 10:28 PM**

Putting that huge spire on it is really cheating to become the 2nd tallest on completion.

JManc · #29 Posted **Apr 29, 2007, 12:04 AM**

looks like big ben's and moscow university's illegitimate child

Lecom · #30 Posted **Apr 29, 2007, 12:48 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMancuso

looks like big ben's and moscow university's illegitimate child

hahahahahahahaha i may have to write that one down somewhere

R@ptor · #31 Posted **Aug 3, 2007, 8:27 PM**

Posted by Riyadhi on SSC

Looks like the huge Hotel tower is finally rising

thebestdillweed · #32 Posted **Aug 3, 2007, 8:36 PM**

it looks like this thing belongs in Las Vegas

Slugbelch · #33 Posted **Aug 3, 2007, 9:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by R@ptor

Posted by Riyadhi on SSC

You mean reposted.

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...2&postcount=55

I didn't think there was another thread for this tower except in the M.E. section:
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=112555

I guess not too many are interested in a gigantic skyscraper almost 600m tall anymore.

wong21fr · #34 Posted **Aug 3, 2007, 9:27 PM**

It's damn interesting, but Mecca is such a closed city to us infidels that it's hard to get excited with such limited information and updates.

The top of the main tower is so out of proportion with the rest that it ruins the aesthetics of the complex. The 2005 design was the one that should have gone up.

But I love how close it pushes up on the Masjid al-Haram. Could you imagine if such buildings were on all sides of the mosque?

rbowk · #35 Posted **Aug 3, 2007, 9:32 PM**

cool

Slugbelch · #36 Posted **Aug 3, 2007, 9:41 PM**

^ That's the reason, I think, makes it more interesting. Because of limited information/pics, when they do appear, it makes it that much more special, regardless of the location, or who's building it.

Also because of the secrecy of the building, we really don't know what the finished center tower will look like. At least we have seen some options that were released at different points of time, but it can still change.

The Burj Dubai is in the middle of some spire changes as we speak, so if they can do it at 800 meters, they can surely do it to this center tower while it's barely starting to rise.

A-town · #37 Posted **Aug 4, 2007, 12:27 AM**

This has to be one of the most amazing structures I've ever seen. I think it is a new concept to build a building, and I'm definately going to enjoy watching it rise.

Pandemonious · #38 Posted **Aug 4, 2007, 12:57 AM**

^Are you serious? What is new about it? This building design was dated by half a century or more before the first concrete was ever poured. I think this tower is an eyesore. It is impressively large, but that aspect is overwhelmed for me by how tasteless the design is. The whole facade to me resembles some of the cheaply built garbage that went up north of the Chicago river in the 90's.

firulais · #39 Posted **Aug 4, 2007, 1:29 AM**

Im Sorry But I Just Dont Like It

Slugbelch · #40 Posted **Aug 4, 2007, 2:51 AM**

I would have preferred this version