Deira Clock Tower: How Dubai’s timeless landmark marked the start of the city's transformation
The Deira Clock Tower, a landmark in Dubai, symbolizes the city’s transformation
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1962: Deira Clock Tower in Deira. For visitors and long-term residents, the Deira Clock Tower is at the heart of Dubai’s history. Completed in 1963, it was the first land passage connecting Deira and Bur Dubai and one of the city’s most significant crossroads.
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1976: The clock tower was also called one of Dubai's oldest landmarks, and was reconstructed in 1989.
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1982: In the centre, a general view of the Deira Clock Tower.
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In 1991, the area around the Clock Tower.
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1994: For many long-term UAE residents, the Deira Clock Tower is associated with nostalgic memories and remains a timeless tribute to the city’s humble beginnings.
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2008: The Deira Clocktower underwent another facelift as Dubai Municipality returned with its classic look, with Omega clocks featuring Arabic numerals and a GPS-guided time-keeping mechanism in Dubai. In November 2008, Dubai Municipality upgraded the clocks at the tower with modern-looking Omega clocks featuring Roman numerals with two digital screens showing the date and current temperature.
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2018: While the clock tower has not seen much change since being renovated, the surrounding area has been built up significantly over the years.
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2021: When flowers are in full bloom near the Clock Tower, they add a colourful contrast to the concrete and steel environment of Deira’s busy streets.
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2022: The Deira Clock Tower continues to be a popular spot for tourists visiting Dubai. As one of the city’s historical landmarks, it offers a glimpse into Dubai’s past while standing in contrast to the emerging modern developments.
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In May 2023, Dubai Municipality launched a significant restoration project for the Deira Clock Tower, reflecting its dedication to preserving its historical landmarks. The overhaul revived the tower and transformed its surrounding area, blending the city’s rich heritage with its modern developments.
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The Clock Tower, a cherished landmark, continues to stand as a reminder of Dubai’s remarkable transformation over the decades. The centrepiece of this revitalised roundabout is a magnificent water fountain, now featuring a fresh and contemporary design.
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Devadasan K PChief Visual Editor
Devadasan K P is the Chief Visual Editor at Gulf News, bringing more than 26 years of experience in photojournalism to the role. He leads the Visual desk with precision, speed, and a strong editorial instinct.
Whether he’s selecting images of royalty, chasing the biggest celebrity moments in Dubai, or covering live events himself, Devadasan is always a few steps ahead of the action.
Over the years, he has covered a wide range of major assignments — including the 2004 tsunami in Sri Lanka, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, feature reportage from Afghanistan, the IMF World Bank meetings, and wildlife series from Kenya.
His work has been widely recognised with industry accolades, including the Minolta Photojournalist of the Year award in 2005, the Best Picture Award at the Dubai Shopping Festival in 2008, and a Silver Award from the Society for News Design in 2011.
He handles the newsroom pressure with a calm attitude, a quick response time, and his signature brand of good-natured Malayali humour. There's no fuss — just someone who gets the job done very well, every single time.
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