Uptown Tower (also referred to as Tower-2) is a project by Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) which comprises a 340 m tall mixed-use building currently under development in the Uptown Dubai District (former Burj 2020 District). The construction of the skyscraper that will be home to a DMCC Headquarters began in September 2017; this year, it will be available for handover, according to the developer.
The Tower was designed by Adrian Smith (who also designed the Burj Khalifa) + Gordon Gill Architecture, who got inspired by DMCC’s successful trade of diamonds and by the facets of diamonds themselves. Thus, the building’s design replicates the brilliance of these precious stones through its faceted glass façade consisting of 8,562 panels and covering a total surface area of 46,000 sq m. Other two architectural consultants of the project are WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff and Rockwell Group. The latter is also responsible for the interior design of the building.
Aiming to get LEED Gold certification, the Uptown Tower achieved a new world record for the biggest solar plant on a construction site in the world: the building will be powered by a 540KWp solar system. The Tower will feature first class offices, conference amenities, a 5 star hotel operated by Accor Hotels, and 229 branded residences: they will range from 70 sq m one-bedroom units to 261 sq m four-bedroom penthouses. Besides, there will be luxury restaurants, coffee shops, spas, entertainment zones, and a retail area which includes parking spaces. In January 2022, it was made known that about 25% of the commercial space had been pre-leased, and in August, all of the office floors were fully leased.
In 2022, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) announced that it is to establish a new laboratory to serve the global gem trade in DMCC: it will occupy over 41,000 sq ft on two floors in the Tower. Planned to open in 2023, it would see up to 500 skilled new jobs created in DMCC’s business district.
To get more information about the Uptown Tower, please visit the project’s official website.
