City’s first architectural landmark saw a Dh10m upgrade of surrounding roundabout in 2023
Dubai: Dubai’s historic Deira Clock Tower now ranks among the world’s most beautiful clock towers, according to the newspaper The Telegraph (UK).
The announcement was made by Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, who shared a video on X celebrating the landmark's global recognition on Thursday.
“The Deira Clock Tower stood as Dubai’s first iconic landmark in the early 1960s and marked the city’s first land connection between Deira and Bur Dubai,” Sheikha Latifa posted.
“Since then, it has played a vital role in the city’s transformation—earning a lasting place in the hearts of residents and visitors, and becoming a defining symbol of Dubai’s cultural and urban identity,” she added.
The accompanying video highlighted the tower’s legacy that has stood the test of time for over seven decades. “Dubai's first architectural landmark constructed in 1963 and renovated in 1972 ranked 17th among the world’s most beautiful clock towers according to The Telegraph, UK.”
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.
In 2023, Dubai Municipality completed a Dh10 million enhancement of the surrounding Clock Tower Roundabout. The project blended modern landscaping with the tower’s heritage character, introducing a new water fountain, vibrant greenery, and improved pedestrian-friendly design, breathing new life into one of the city’s oldest landmarks.
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