UAE

Heritage

Dubai completes Dh10m renovation of Deira's historic Clock Tower roundabout

The 1960s-era landmark has been upgraded with modern technology in three-month project

The National

September 01, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

Deira's historic Clock Tower roundabout is moving with the times after the Dubai authorities completed a Dh10 million ($2.7 million) revamp.

A major renovation project led by Dubai Municipality began in May with the aim of sprucing up the treasured attraction.

The initiative included the addition of more greenery, modern lighting, painting work and an upgrade to the water fountain.

The restoration scheme - aimed at "breathing new life into the iconic landmark" - is now finished, the municipality said on Thursday.

"We completed the development of the Clock Tower roundabout in Deira, one of the most prominent engineering and architectural landmarks in Dubai on schedule, giving it a new facade with modern designs that are aligned with the nation’s cultural and historical character and the city’s status as a vibrant creative hub," said Dawoud Al Hajri, director general of Dubai Municipality.

Three tiers of wildflowers have been planted at the roundabout to brighten its appearance.

A smart sensor has been installed in the upgraded fountain, to allow for water jets to respond to changes in wind speeds.

Deira Clock Tower in the early 1970s. Peter Alvis
Deira Clock Tower in the early 1970s. Peter Alvis

Beloved landmark

The Clock Tower dates back to the 1960s and in the years before Burj Khalifa it was one of Dubai’s most recognisable sights.

It was designed by Syrian architect Zaki Al Homsi, completed in the mid-1960s and is known for its swooping arches.

Deira was the centre of the city at the time and the Clock Tower was one of the first landmarks seen by visitors arriving by boat or at the international airport in Al Garhoud.

The Clock Tower also marked the first major road that connected Bur Dubai and Deira at Al Maktoum Bridge.

Deira through the years - in pictures

Dubai Creek in the early 1960s, with Deira on the left. Across the Creek at the top of the photo is Bur Dubai, with Shindagha on the right.
Dubai Creek in the early 1960s, with Deira on the left. Across the Creek at the top of the photo is Bur Dubai, with Shindagha on the right.
The Clock Tower dominates its surroundings in the 1970s.
The Clock Tower dominates its surroundings in the 1970s.
Deira is one of Dubai's oldest neighbourhoods. The Omar Ali bin Haider mosque – with its striking minaret and white dome – has welcomed worshippers since 1952.
Deira is one of Dubai's oldest neighbourhoods. The Omar Ali bin Haider mosque – with its striking minaret and white dome – has welcomed worshippers since 1952.
Deira is also home to striking buildings with distinctive architecture, like Deira Tower.
Deira is also home to striking buildings with distinctive architecture, like Deira Tower.
The neighbourhood's famed gold souq attracts tourists from across the world.
The neighbourhood's famed gold souq attracts tourists from across the world.
Shoppers in a jewellery shop at the Gold Souq in Deira
Shoppers in a jewellery shop at the Gold Souq in Deira
The neighbourhood is also home to small shops and repair services such as Khan shoe shop.
The neighbourhood is also home to small shops and repair services such as Khan shoe shop.
The Deira Clock Tower has remained a much-loved feature of the area through the years.
The Deira Clock Tower has remained a much-loved feature of the area through the years.
Deira is one of Dubai's most densely packed neighbourhoods. Authorities imposed a lockdown in April 2020 to curb the spread of Covid-19 and its normally busy roads fell quiet.
Deira is one of Dubai's most densely packed neighbourhoods. Authorities imposed a lockdown in April 2020 to curb the spread of Covid-19 and its normally busy roads fell quiet.
The roundabout at Deira Clock Tower was eerily empty during the stay-at-home order in April, 2020.
The roundabout at Deira Clock Tower was eerily empty during the stay-at-home order in April, 2020.
Health volunteers pass through a sterilisation chamber installed to disinfect residents entering and leaving the Naif area in Dubai's Deira during the Covid-19 outbreak, on April 15, 2020.
Health volunteers pass through a sterilisation chamber installed to disinfect residents entering and leaving the Naif area in Dubai's Deira during the Covid-19 outbreak, on April 15, 2020.
But now life is returning to normal in Naif. Trader Fawaz Bello said in April 2021 that the situation had improved.
But now life is returning to normal in Naif. Trader Fawaz Bello said in April 2021 that the situation had improved.
Major development now lines the Deira side of Dubai Creek with the distinctive circular top of Deira Tower visible at centre right.
Major development now lines the Deira side of Dubai Creek with the distinctive circular top of Deira Tower visible at centre right.
But the past is never far behind, as this shot of an old water tank in Deira shows.
But the past is never far behind, as this shot of an old water tank in Deira shows.
The Deira Clock Tower reminds Dubai of its past as it looks to the future.
The Deira Clock Tower reminds Dubai of its past as it looks to the future.
How to get there

Emirates (www.emirates.com) flies directly to Hanoi, Vietnam, with fares starting from around Dh2,725 return, while Etihad (www.etihad.com) fares cost about Dh2,213 return with a stop. Chuong is 25 kilometres south of Hanoi.
 

FROM%20THE%20ASHES
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Khalid%20Fahad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Shaima%20Al%20Tayeb%2C%20Wafa%20Muhamad%2C%20Hamss%20Bandar%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
if you go

The flights
Flydubai offers three daily direct flights to Sarajevo and, from June, a daily flight from Thessaloniki from Dubai. A return flight costs from Dhs1,905 including taxes.
The trip 
The Travel Scientists are the organisers of the Balkan Ride and several other rallies around the world. The 2018 running of this particular adventure will take place from August 3-11, once again starting in Sarajevo and ending a week later in Thessaloniki. If you’re driving your own vehicle, then entry start from €880 (Dhs 3,900) per person including all accommodation along the route. Contact the Travel Scientists if you wish to hire one of their vehicles. 

Brief scoreline:

Wolves 3

Neves 28', Doherty 37', Jota 45' 2

Arsenal 1

Papastathopoulos 80'

You might also like
On Women's Day

Get stories like this one in your inbox each morning.

Sign up for our daily newsletter here

Recommended
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood

Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.

COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: BorrowMe (BorrowMe.com)

Date started: August 2021

Founder: Nour Sabri

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: E-commerce / Marketplace

Size: Two employees

Funding stage: Seed investment

Initial investment: $200,000

Investors: Amr Manaa (director, PwC Middle East) 

On Women's Day
LOVE%20AGAIN
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Jim%20Strouse%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStars%3A%20Priyanka%20Chopra%20Jonas%2C%20Sam%20Heughan%2C%20Celine%20Dion%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance: the specs

Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 plus rear-mounted electric motor

Power: 843hp at N/A rpm

Torque: 1470Nm N/A rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 8.6L/100km

On sale: October to December

Price: From Dh875,000 (estimate)

School uniforms report
While you're here
more from Janine di Giovanni
While you're here
On Women's Day
The biog

Nickname: Mama Nadia to children, staff and parents

Education: Bachelors degree in English Literature with Social work from UAE University

As a child: Kept sweets on the window sill for workers, set aside money to pay for education of needy families

Holidays: Spends most of her days off at Senses often with her family who describe the centre as part of their life too

PROFILE OF INVYGO

Started: 2018

Founders: Eslam Hussein and Pulkit Ganjoo

Based: Dubai

Sector: Transport

Size: 9 employees

Investment: $1,275,000

Investors: Class 5 Global, Equitrust, Gulf Islamic Investments, Kairos K50 and William Zeqiri

TICKETS

Tickets start at Dh100 for adults, while children can enter free on the opening day. For more information, visit www.mubadalawtc.com.

Director: Romany Saad
Starring: Mirfat Amin, Boumi Fouad and Tariq Al Ibyari

While you're here
Updated: September 04, 2023, 12:20 PM`
DubaiDeiraUAE