The Etisalat Tower is not a separate tower, it is part of the Etihad Towers complex. Despite this, the building is considered one of the most famous skyscrapers in the United Arab Emirates, and it has been added to the program of guided tours of Abu Dhabi. The uniqueness of the design lies not in its size or purpose, but in its unusual appearance. The project was developed by the corporation of Canadian postmodernist architect Arthur Charles Erickson, and it took more than $65 million to implement.
Architectural features
The style of the Etisalat tower is postmodernism, its height reaches 130 meters, the decoration is made of green glass, there are 25 floors inside. There is a huge sphere on the roof that looks like a golf ball. During the construction of the facility, more than 190 friction borehole reinforced concrete piles with a diameter of 1.5 meters and a length of 43 meters were used, the thickness of the slab with a grillage is estimated at 3.7 meters. This makes the building visually look bigger than it actually is.
The Etisalat tower houses the main office of the popular cellular company Etisalat, so it is logical that materials typical of the decoration of most of the organization's buildings were used in its creation. Identical elements help identify buildings that belong to the same corporation.
History of creation and purpose
The construction of the Etisalat complex began in 2006, and work was completed in 2011. The Etihad Towers buildings are not similar to the neighboring tower, but at the same time the buildings are a single whole. This attracts the attention of both locals and visiting tourists.
The Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers Hotel operates in the first tower. An observation deck with views of the UAE capital and tourist sites is open on the 74th floor of Tower No2. The shopping center has several floors of premium boutiques with private fitting rooms and VIP service. In the Etisalat tower, the symbol of the cellular company, on the roof, in addition to the balloon, there are antennas of radio and broadcasting companies transmitting data packets.
Unusual facts
The Etisalat Tower is popular among travelers. They are attracted to the design, and many seek to be photographed against the backdrop of the balloon on the roof, which adorns the top of the building. In addition, Ethysalate is associated with commercial success, many companies dream of entering the international market and making themselves known to the whole world. The surroundings of Abu Dhabi are decorated with high-rise buildings, and this is a reflection of the high level of development of the city.
Since the Etisalat Tower is difficult to confuse with another skyscraper in Abu Dhabi, it helps drivers navigate on the road. This is especially convenient for travelers who rent a car. This service is popular in the city, but to use it, you need to have an international driver's license and be at least 21 years old. However, in some companies the age threshold is higher when renting premium class cars.
How to get
The Etihad Towers complex is located opposite the five-star Emirates Palace Hotel on the Corniche. You can get there by bus on routes 009, 069 and 034, and there is a public transport stop at Etisalat. If you take a taxi, you need to get off at the intersection of SHK. Rashid Bin Saeed St. and 7th St. streets.
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