Dubai’s Burj Al Arab to shut for 18 months for restoration work

DUBAI: Dubai’s Burj Al Arab will temporarily close as it undergoes a phased restoration programme lasting 18 months, according to its owner, Jumeirah Group.

The luxury hotel, regarded as one of the most recognisable landmarks in the United Arab Emirates, said the project is intended to protect its distinctive interiors and architectural legacy after more than 25 years in operation.

Jumeirah announced the plan on social media and described the closure as a pause aimed at safeguarding the property while improvement work is carried out.

“This moment marks not an ending, but a thoughtful pause, dedicated to preserving an icon for generations to come,” the company said.

The group said the work would be carried out in carefully organised phases so the sail-shaped building’s identity is retained. The structure is widely viewed as a symbol of Dubai’s skyline and tourism sector.

According to the details shared, the restoration will centre on preserving the hotel’s interiors while modernising facilities to meet current standards. Jumeirah said the effort is meant to improve the guest experience without changing the property’s signature design.

Landmark hotel’s history

Construction on the Burj Al Arab began on July 10, 1994, and the hotel officially opened on December 1, 1999. The building rises 321 metres and was designed by British architect Tom Wright. It was developed at an estimated cost of around $1 billion.

The hotel has 56 floors, including three underground levels. It contains 202 luxury suites and 18 elevators, while its highest floor is located about 197.5 metres above ground.

Over more than two decades, the Burj Al Arab has hosted prominent guests and remained one of the best-known symbols of the emirate’s rapid transformation and high-end tourism industry.

Jumeirah said the restoration programme is intended to ensure the long-term preservation of the property’s character while updating parts of the hotel in line with modern hospitality requirements. The company’s announcement underlined that the project is focused on conservation as well as renewal, with the aim of maintaining the landmark’s place in Dubai’s tourism landscape for future generations.

The Burj Al Arab is considered a flagship of Dubai’s luxury tourism sector and has long been associated with the city’s global image. The planned closure marks a significant step in preserving one of the UAE’s most prominent hospitality landmarks.