Abraj
al Bait Towers - Saudi Arabia
The
Abraj Al-Bait Towers, also known as the Mecca Royal Hotel Clock Tower, is a
government-owned mega tall building complex in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. These
towers are a part of the King Abdul-Aziz Endowment Project that strives to
modernize the city in catering to its pilgrims. The site of the complex is
located across the street to the south from an entrance to the Masjid al Haram
mosque, which houses the Kaaba.
To
accommodate worshipers visiting the Kaaba, the Abraj Al-Bait Towers has a large
prayer room capable of holding more than 10,000 people. The tallest tower in
the complex also contains a five-star hotel, operated by Fairmont Hotels and
Resorts, to help provide lodging for the millions of pilgrims that travel to
Mecca annually to participate in the Hajj.
In
addition, the Abraj Al-Bait Towers has a 5-story shopping mall (the Abraj Al
Bait Mall) and a parking garage capable of holding over a thousand vehicles.
Residential towers house permanent residents while two heliports and a
conference center are to accommodate business travelers. In total, up to
100,000 people could be housed inside the towers. The project uses clock faces
for each side of the hotel tower. The highest residential floor stands at 450
meter (1,480 ft.), just below the spires. The clock faces are 43 m × 43 m (141 ft. × 141 ft.) largest in
the world. The roof of the clocks is 530 meter (1,740 ft.) above the ground,
making them the world's most elevated architectural clocks. A 71 meter tall
spire (233 ft.) has been added on top of the clock giving it a total height of
601 meters (1,972 ft.). The tower also includes an Islamic Museum and a Lunar
Observation Center which will also be used to sight the moon during the Holy
Months.
Design and construction:
Ø Architect:
Dar Al-Handasah Architects
Ø
Structural engineer: Dar Al-Handasah
Ø
Main contractor: Saudi Bin Ladin Group
Technical
details:
Ø Material main structural system: reinforced concrete
Ø Lower part: steel/concrete composite
construction, steel construction
Ø (Upper
Part) cladding: glass, marble, natural stone, carbon-/glass-fiber reinforced
plastic
Ø Floor
count:120
Ø Floor
area Tower: 310,638 sq.m (3,343,680 sq. ft.)
Ø Development:
1,575,815 sq.m (16,961,930 sq. ft.)
Feature:
The
building is topped by a four-faced clock, visible from 25 kilometers (16 miles)
away. The clock is the highest in the world at over 400 meter (1,300 ft.) above
the ground. The clock's face is the largest clock face in the world, surpassing
the Cevahir Mall clock in Istanbul.
Each
of the clock's four faces measure 46 m (151 ft.) in diameter and are
illuminated by 2 million LED lights, with four oriented edges, just above the
clock alongside huge Arabic script reading: “God is the Greatest” on the north
and south faces and on the west and east the Koran. Four golden domes on
pillars on all the corners are also present. Another 21,000 white and green
colored lights, the same as the Saudi Flag, fitted at the top of the clock,
will flash to signal Islam's five-times daily prayers, and will be visible as
far as 30 km (19 mi) away. On special occasions such as New Year, 16 bands of
vertical lights will shoot some 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) up into the sky. The
clock's four faces will be covered with 98 million pieces of glass mosaics. The
Saudi coat of arms is displayed at the center of each clock behind the dials.
The minute hand is
22 m (72 ft.) long, while the hour hand is 17 m (56 ft.)
long.An observatory deck is at the base of the clock. Elevators take visitors
up to an observation balcony just beneath the clock faces. There were
rumors that the clock would be set to
local Mecca Time, in an attempt to replace Greenwich as the prime meridian for
global time keeping, but the clock is set to Arabia Standard Time (UTC+03:00).
The
spire:
The
main building is topped by a 93 m (305 ft.) spire with 23 m (75 ft.) high
golden crescent at the top. The spire has the black observation pod at the
bottom which contains a lunar gallery, a control tower and the main observation
deck.
The
crescent was constructed in Dubai by Premier Composite Technology in April
2011. The crescent is made of fiberglass-backed mosaic gold, and it weighs up
to 35 tones. Peugeot Joseph, the company official, said a team of five
engineers and a hundred workers carried out the project, which cost 90 million
United Arab Emirates Durham, and it took three months to build it. The company
has also constructed the Mecca Clock. The Crescent was divided into 10 parts to
move it to Mecca. The crescent was partly assembled on the base of the
clock-face to reduce it to 5 parts. Those five parts were then lifted and
installed above the spire from 20 June to 6 July 2011.
The
minaret and its base have massive loudspeakers that will emit prayer calls to a
distance of seven km while nearly 21,000 lamps will illuminate the surrounding
area to a distance of 30 kilometers (19 mi).
During
occasions like Muslim Eids and new Hijri years, a 16-beam light will illuminate
an area of a diameter of around 10 kilometers (6.2 mi) while 21,000 lamps will beam white
and green lights to a distance of 30 kilometers (19 mi). The light beams are
intended to allow deaf persons or Muslims in far areas to know prayer timings
in the western parts of Mecca and nearby cities.
Yet, despite
the claimed need for illumination and awareness of prayer timings in discrete
areas and portions around and in Mecca, there are well over 200 existing old
mosques in the city; most are frequently attended and therefore well equipped
with Muadhins to call the prayer.
Construction
fire incidents:
The
Abraj-Al-Bait complex has seen two fire incidents during construction. The
first fire struck the Hajar Tower on 28 October 2008. It took 400 firefighters
to put out the fire, which burned for 10 hours, consuming nine floors of the
tower. According to eyewitness reports, the blaze erupted shortly after
midnight, and spread rapidly because of wood used for construction stored in
the premises. Soon, the entire building was engulfed in smoke. Hospitals were put
on high alert, but no injuries were reported. A civil defense spokesman said
the fire started on the 32nd floor of Hajar Tower.
The
second fire struck Safa tower on 1 May 2009. No deaths or injuries were
reported in the blaze that was quickly contained by Civil Defense. Eyewitnesses
said the fire broke out soon after Asr prayer while some workers in the
building were welding iron rods on wooden scaffoldings. The fire damaged a
large part of the under-construction tower. According to Major General Adel
Zamzami, director general of Civil Defence in the Mecca province, the fire
broke out at the 14th floor and reached up to the 20th.
Comparison of some notable four-face
clocks at the same scale.
Ø Top-left:
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Tower
Ø Bottom-left: Allen-Bradley Clock Tower (previous record holder)
Ø Middle:
Abraj Al Bait tower
Ø Top-right:
Palace of Westminster clock tower
Ø Bottom-right:
Kremlin Clock
Luxury Hotel Amenities
In Makkah Clock Royal Tower,A Fairmont Hotel:
Located
adjacent to the Masjid al Haram, Makkah Clock Royal Tower, A Fairmont Hotel
offers the finest hospitality in the holy city of Makkah. One of the world’s
tallest, this 76-story hotel is the focal point of the Abraj Al Bait Complex,
part of the King Abdul Aziz Endowment Project. Among its outstanding features
is a 40-meter (130-foot) Royal Clock, visible from 17 kilometers (10 miles)
away, which will announce daily prayers to the Muslim world; meanwhile, the
Lunar Observation Center and an Islamic Museum aim to preserve Muslim heritage
for future generations.
In addition
to the opulent and elegant comfort of the rooms and suites offered at this
five-star hotel, 56 state-of-the-art elevators allow easy access to Masjid al
Haram for prayers. Furthermore, at any time, nine exceptional dining venues
will be available to accommodate intimate or vast gatherings.
Spa and Fitness:
At
Makkah Clock Royal Tower, A Fairmont Hotel Spa and Health Club you can treat
yourself to a healthy, relaxing holiday. With state-of-the art fitness
equipment, our Spa is the perfect oasis to relax and restore the skin, body and
mind.
The
male and female health clubs are exclusive retreats where you can enjoy
personalized massage, skincare and body treatments. Featuring a staff of
certified and licensed professionals, the health clubs open from 10 am till 10
pm daily, seven days per week.
At
Makkah Clock Royal Tower, A Fairmont Hotel, our guests will enjoy the best
place to enhance their well-being, achieve their fitness goals and rediscover
themselves with a truly exceptional spa experience.
Unwind
the steam room, sauna, Jacuzzi, Gym, Kid’s Club and relish our exclusive
healing and therapy, including full body massage and foot massage, that reflect
the Makkah Clock Royal Tower, A Fairmont Hotel's cultural and environmental
heritage.
Accommodations:
Makkah
Clock Royal Tower, A Fairmont Hotel, the architectural landmark located in the
pulsating heart of the Muslim World, provides it’s guests with a unique
opportunity to reside in elegantly furnished and superbly serviced residences
with breathtaking views of Masjid Al Haram and the Holy Ka'aba.
Every
unit of the hotel’s 1542 guest rooms and suites are thoughtfully and elegantly appointed—with extravagant amenities and five-star services that allow for
peaceful reflection and repose.Moreover,76 elevators allow easy access to the
holy Masjid Al-Haram for prayers.
The
Fairmont Royal, where all the service and luxury synonymous to the Fairmont
name go yet another step further.
The
Royal Floor is an oasis where the art of exceptional service is elevated to
create an exclusive and personalized experience. A private reception desk for
efficient yet unhurried check-in and check-out optimizes their productivity in
dedicated work areas or simply unwind and reflect. In
addition to that, Fairmont Royal offers premium suites that belong in a class
of their own, creating an exquisite heaven for guests to pray and relax.
Featuring
artistically appealing interiors that reflect the rich Islamic Heritage,
Fairmont Residences provide the perfect serenity in generous living spaces that
suit our guests' requirements. Ranging from apartments with one, two or
three-bedroom options that can accommodate up to 8 guests, most residences
offer a kitchen, living room, dining room, and built-in wardrobe.
While
the exclusive lobby and separate reception designed to facilitate the guests
check-in and check-out procedures, the private entrances and elevators provide
easy access to and from Al Haram. Guests of residences have access to the
Business Center, the Islamic Studies Authority and the King Abdullah Science
Centre, as well as the Lunar Observation Center and Islamic Museum.
Dining:
Whether
it’s an intimate, family dinner or a large, social gathering, Makkah Clock
Royal Tower offers a variety of unique, full-service dining settings— from
classic to contemporary, relaxed to refined. When it comes to our guests, we
have but one goal, each and every time: to deliver a successful and seamless
experience.
Mazaq
Café offers a delightful portfolio of coffees and teas, and a delicious selection
of French pastries and snacks.Atyaf, all-dining restaurant offering delicious
food from the Middle East, Asia, North Africa, the Levant and Mediterranean.The
Grill, the first fine dining steakhouse in any hotel in Makkah.
Aja, a
casual Asian noodle restaurant serving the freshest noodles, dim sum, soups and
fried rice. Mirkaz
Café, offering signature coffee roasts from around the world with delicious
chocolates and sweets. Buharat,
an Indian buffet featuring a striking tandoor station. Lezzet,
High end authentic Ottoman cuisine, feast on Silk Road–inspired lamb dumplings,
sweet olive desserts, and beef stews fit for a sultan.Al-Dar,
a Lebanese buffet with a wide selection of hot and cold mezzah. Al
Dira, the first five-star Saudi restaurant in the City.
Meetings
For
the first time, enjoy world-class meeting facilities and services from the
heart of the Holy City, including a fully equipped business Centre with
secretarial service, 8 state-of-the-art meeting rooms with a pre-function area,
and a spectacular ballroom. Ideal for any business function, the hotel offers
the most advanced technology in the city including a media room, live
translation room, and a roving camera.
Weddings:
For
Muslims across the world there is nothing more special than beginning and
blessing a marriage in the Holy City of Makkah. That’s why, Makkah Clock Royal
Tower, A Fairmont Hotel presents Al Jiwar Ballroom, a specialized wedding venue
with more than 3,200 sq. meters of adaptable function space. The elegant
ballroom fuses modernity and tradition in its breathtaking design, and
accommodates up to 1200 guests. Our team of wedding planners and culinary
specialists are ready to help you make your wedding dream a reality.
Social Events:
Every
personal event should be a memorable one-of-a-kind occasion. In this divine
setting, our skilled team creates inspiring setups and delectable cuisines that
transform the expected into an unforgettable event experience in the heart of
the Muslim world. Suitable for small personal events to large gatherings,
Makkah Clock Royal Tower, A Fairmont Hotel, offers more than 3,200 sq. meters
of flexible events space over two floors.
Conclusion:
This
is the first time 1st tallest building in the Muslim central state of revolution
of skyscraper. It is not good for Muslim central state to build in front of Masjid
of Al Haram of Makkah. There are many other controversies on the building of
this tower. Like In Islam do not build your houses and other else taller than
minaret of Masjid. But it is beneficial for Saudi Arabia economic structure from
hajji comes from other Islamic countries for ummarah and hajj to provide them
accommodation and dining facilities.
