Dubai’s Skyline to Feature Unique ‘One-Apartment-Wide’ Skyscraper: The Muraba Veil

Dubai is set to unveil yet another striking piece of architecture with the announcement of the “unusually narrow” Muraba Veil skyscraper. Developed by Dubai property firm Muraba and designed by the Spanish architecture firm RCR Arquitectes, the tower will soar to 73 storeys and reach a height of 380 meters.

What makes this skyscraper particularly eye-catching is its slender width of just 22.5 meters, equivalent to the size of a single apartment. The Muraba Veil will house 131 exclusive residences, offering a range from two-bedroom to five-bedroom units, along with an array of amenities including a wellness spa, restaurant, gallery, padel court, and a private cinema.

Prices for these luxurious flats will start at Dhs18 million. In their statement regarding the building, designers noted that it will rise elegantly above the dunes of Dubai, creating a striking visual contrast amidst the city’s architectural landscape.

Described as “awe-inspiring yet understated,” the Muraba Veil will present a breathtaking spectacle, enhancing Dubai’s already vibrant skyline. The building features a “Veil” crafted from bespoke stainless steel mesh, which is porous and responsive, allowing it to reflect the varying shades of the sky while diminishing the structure’s visual impact.

The design emphasizes a narrow profile achieved through cutting-edge engineering, drawing inspiration from centuries-old domestic architecture that prioritizes human needs for refuge, privacy, and a connection to nature. The interiors will reflect traditional Arabian aesthetics, incorporating shade and greenery that leads to an inner courtyard.

Each of the 131 residences will occupy the entire width of the building, ensuring deep, spacious rooms that provide protection from external heat and ample relaxation space. The skyscraper will be strategically located along Sheikh Zayed Road, offering stunning views of the iconic Burj Khalifa.

While no completion date has been announced yet, Muraba and RCR Arquitectes are committed to taking their time to ensure the project meets their high standards. Rafael Aranda, Founder of RCR Arquitectes, emphasized the importance of designing buildings that resonate with the local culture and environment, stating, “We are passionate about ensuring our buildings are responsive to the place, that they belong to the site and the native landscape where they are situated.”

You can now pay RTA Fines in Installments

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced the pilot launch of the Tabby payment facilitator service in collaboration with Dubai Government’s Finance Department. This new service enables customers to pay their electronic transaction fees in 4-month installments through smart kiosks.

Customers can utilize this service to pay traffic fines, as well as vehicle registration and driving license renewal fees, in manageable installments. The RTA has deployed smart kiosks at over 21 locations, including the RTA’s main building, customer happiness centers, service provider centers, and various sites throughout Dubai.

In related news, Major General Saif Muhair Al Mazrouie, Director of the General Department of Traffic at Dubai Police, has issued a warning about the dangers of stopping suddenly in the middle of the road. Under federal traffic law, such an action incurs a fine of Dhs1,000 and six black points.

Al Mazrouie cautioned that stopping in the middle of the road due to vehicle malfunctions, running out of fuel, or having a flat tire poses significant risks. He stressed the importance of ensuring that vehicles are in good condition before setting out.

He pointed out that stopping in the road is one of the most perilous violations, often leading to serious accidents, injuries, and fatalities. A single incident of this nature can result in numerous casualties.

In the event of a breakdown, Al Mazrouie advised drivers to contact the police so necessary measures can be taken, such as securing the vehicle with police patrols to protect passengers and other road users.

He explained that fining motorists for unjustified stops aims to discourage such behavior and encourage quick movement off the road to prevent further accidents. He also urged drivers to use hazard warning lights when slowing down, changing direction, or alerting other drivers to emergencies, thus reducing the likelihood of mishaps.

Dubai’s Population Expected to Reach 4 Million by 2026, Driven by Expat Inflows and Economic Growth

According to global ratings agency S&P, Dubai’s population is projected to reach 4 million by 2026, fueled by a robust influx of expatriate professionals seeking better job opportunities and investors looking to benefit from high returns in the emirate’s expanding economy.

S&P estimates the emirate’s GDP per capita to be approximately $38,000 (Dh139,460) in 2024. As of the end of 2023, the resident population—excluding those commuting from other parts of the UAE—stood at 3.7 million. The agency’s analysts predict that this figure will reach 4.0 million by 2026, primarily due to strong expatriate inflows.

As a regional hub for finance, tourism, and trade, Dubai has attracted significant investment across various sectors over recent years, which has bolstered GDP growth and created numerous job opportunities. This growth has also drawn many millionaires from around the globe to the city.

Since the start of 2024, Dubai’s population has increased by over 134,000, reaching 3.789 million as of October 16. Since January 2021, the city has seen an increase of more than 378,000 residents, mainly attributed to the influx of foreign professionals, workers, and investors.

Dubai, along with Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, is expected to experience a surge of over 150 percent in the migration of centi-millionaires between 2024 and 2040. Ranked 15th among the top 50 cities globally, Dubai is currently home to 212 centi-millionaires and 72,500 millionaires, according to Henley and Partners.

In line with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 announced last year, the emirate aims to double its economy over the next decade, increasing foreign trade to Dh25.6 trillion and creating thousands of new job opportunities.

S&P analysts project that real GDP growth will remain around 3 percent on average from 2024 to 2027, following a growth rate of 3.3 percent in 2023. The services sector—including real estate, hospitality, and financial services—is expected to drive Dubai’s growth, bolstered by nationwide social and economic reforms. Business-friendly regulations, a streamlined visa regime, and the success of long-term residency visas will further encourage new business ventures in Dubai.

Dubai Airport to Implement AI-Driven Facial Recognition for Seamless Travel Experience

Dubai Airport is set to replace all physical passport control stations and smart gates with facial-recognition cameras powered by artificial intelligence, allowing travelers to be continuously scanned and verified as they navigate through the terminal.

According to a senior government official, there will be no need for passengers to stop and present documents from the moment they enter the airport until they board their flights. “The concept of gates and passport corridors will be eliminated,” he stated.

This comprehensive system will confirm travelers’ biometric data, identify them, and officially record their arrival or departure during the passport control process. Khaled bin Madia Al Falasi, Deputy Assistant Director for Smart Services at Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, emphasized, “We have all the travelers’ data; we have all the citizens’ and residents’ data.”

The system will collect biometric prints as passengers pass through the airport, get off the plane, retrieve their luggage, and head to their vehicles—effectively removing the sensation of encountering border control.

The advanced Travel Without Borders program, which will be implemented in collaboration with airlines and other partners, is expected to launch “very soon” at Dubai International Airport and Dubai World Central, according to Al Falasi.

Initially, the network of facial-recognition cameras will cater to first-class and business-class passengers, providing them with a “seamless” travel experience through departure and arrival halls, with plans to extend the system to all travelers.

First-time visitors to Dubai airports will need to complete an app-based “pre-registration process” prior to arrival. Al Falasi explained, “We will perform a match the first time upon entry, and then they can utilize the Travel Without Borders system.”