Construction has begun in Dubai on one of the world’s most unusual residential skyscrapers, the Muraba Veil tower, which, at around 380 metres tall, will be only about 22.5 metres wide, which is effectively “one flat” across the facade. The project is being realised by developer Muraba with the participation of Spanish bureau RCR Arquitectes, winner of the 2017 Pritzker Prize. The tower will be a 73-storey residential building with 131 luxury apartments ranging from two to five bedrooms, each occupying the full width of a floor and featuring panoramic views of Dubai and the canal.
The main visual motif of Muraba Veil-a metallic ‘veil’. The façade will be wrapped in a translucent shell of perforated stainless steel that filters sunlight and reflects the changing colour of the sky throughout the day. According to the architects’ vision, this is a modern interpretation of the traditional Arabian mashrabiya grid, responsible for both privacy and natural shading.
The layout is inspired by the typology of a classical Arabian house: from the outer layer with bedrooms and terraces, the space gradually moves to a cooler “inner core” where common areas and landscaped courtyard oases are located. This allows for a natural lowering of temperatures and reduces the load on air-conditioning systems.
Muraba Veil is being built adjacent to Sheikh Zayed Road and fronts Dubai Water Canal, one of the few truly pedestrianised areas of the city – with promenades, jogging and cycling paths, cafes and quick access to Kite Beach.
The project will be the fifth joint venture between Muraba and RCR Arquitectes and is set for completion by December 2028. The initial cost of apartments in Muraba Veil is stated at AED 18 million (about $4.9 million), which automatically places the project in the segment of super-premium housing and secures its status as one of the most expensive addresses in the emirate.
Muraba Veil fits into Dubai’s long-term strategy to strengthen its status as a world leader in high-rise and iconic construction. The city already has the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, and the recently announced second tallest skyscraper, Burj Azizi, while Dubai has the highest concentration of towers over 300 metres in the world.