Jumeirah Emirates Towers at 25: The landmark that watched Dubai evolve

There are buildings that define skylines, and then there are those that have witnessed a city’s transformation. For those who lived in Dubai long before it became synonymous with luxury hotels and record-breaking skyscrapers, Jumeirah Emirates Towers’ hold a deeper significance - they form part of the city’s backbone, bearing witness to its rise from a regional trade outpost to a global centre of business, culture, and ambition.

Unveiled at the dawn of the new millennium, in 2000, the towers were among the first unmistakable signs of Dubai’s unstoppable ambition to compete on the world stage. Commissioned under the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the twin towers emerged from an international design competition that invited the world’s greatest creatives to imagine a new kind of landmark for a rising financial capital. The winning design came from Hong Kong-based architect Hazel Wong, whose angular, asymmetrical towers introduced a sleek modernism deeply informed by local references - Islamic geometry, maritime culture, and desert light.

Even now, 25 years later, their silhouette feels futuristic. One tower home to Jumeirah Emirates Towers hotel, the other to a commercial office building. Between them, The Boulevard - one of Dubai’s earliest luxury lifestyle destinations - was a precursor to the shopping and dining experiences that would later define the city’s appeal.

The construction of Jumeirah Emirates Towers was a technical marvel at the time, integrating early smart building technology and a pioneering approach to vertical mixed-use design. The towers quickly became more than a place to stay or work; they became a symbol of Dubai’s rapid transformation and global connectivity.

Over the years, the towers have kept pace with the city’s evolution - and often stayed ahead of it. The hotel was one of the first in Dubai to connect directly to the Dubai Metro, offering seamless access across the city. A later bridge linked the hotel to the Museum of the Future, establishing a literal and symbolic connection between legacy and innovation.

Inside, the hotel has hosted a range of events from global summits to internationally renowned performances, including a high-profile 2023 Red Bull slackline event suspended between the towers. These moments reinforce the towers’ role as a platform for ambition, innovation, and precision.

For long-time - Dubai residents, the towers carry a quiet but profound significance. Before Downtown Dubai, before the Burj Khalifa, before the Palm - it was Jumeirah Emirates Towers that anchored the skyline. They were not just seen from afar; they served as meeting points, office hubs, and the backdrop to some of the city’s earliest global connections.

As Dubai continues to expand and evolve before our eyes - with new landmarks rising almost monthly - these original towers feel all the more monumental. They remind us not only of the past but also of the power of ambition, design, and vision to endure. In a city known for rapid reinvention, Jumeirah Emirates Towers provide continuity and a sense of place.

Unlike other skyscrapers built solely for impact, Jumeirah Emirates Towers have maintained a steady purpose and timeless design. They have matured into their place on the skyline - and, in doing so, helped the city mature into itself.

Today, as Dubai leads the way in sustainability, artificial intelligence, and high-tech innovation, these towers continue to evolve. Most recently, they’ve become home to Jumeirah Residences Emirates Towers - a new residential development redefining city living with 754 one-to-four-bedroom apartments and world-class amenities including a padel court, co-working lounge, private cinema, and podium pool terrace. As part of Jumeirah’s Mission 2030 strategy, the project marks a bold new chapter for the iconic towers, blending their legacy of architectural excellence with a future-focused approach to urban life. Jumeriah Emirates Towers tell the story of early bets, fast builds, and architectural confidence that helped define Dubai’s present. For those who remember the city before its global rise, these towers remain a constant - part of the living history that made everything possible.