Construction has begun in Dubai on one of the world’s most unusual residential skyscrapers, the Muraba Veil tower, which will be approximately 380 m high and only about 22.5 m wide, meaning that it will essentially be a single apartment along the facade. The project is being implemented by the developer Muraba in collaboration with the Spanish firm RCR Arquitectes, winner of the 2017 Pritzker Prize. The tower will be a 73-story residential building with 131 luxury apartments ranging from two to five bedrooms, each occupying the entire width of the floor and offering panoramic views of Dubai and the canal.
The main visual motif of Muraba Veil is a metal “veil.” The facade will be wrapped in a translucent shell of perforated stainless steel that filters sunlight and reflects the changing color of the sky throughout the day. According to the architects’ concept, this is a modern interpretation of the traditional Arabic mashrabiya lattice, which provides both privacy and natural shading.
The layouts are inspired by the typology of the classic Arab house: from the outer layer with bedrooms and terraces, the space gradually transitions to a cooler “inner core” where common areas and landscaped courtyard oases are located. This allows for a natural reduction in temperature and less strain on air conditioning systems.
Muraba Veil is being built next to Sheikh Zayed Road and faces the Dubai Water Canal, in one of the city’s few truly pedestrian-friendly areas, with promenades, running and cycling paths, cafes, and quick access to Kite Beach.
The project will be the fifth joint venture between Muraba and RCR Arquitectes and is scheduled for completion by December 2028. The starting price for apartments in Muraba Veil is announced at 18 million dirhams (about $4.9 million), which automatically places the project in the super-premium housing segment and secures its status as one of the most expensive addresses in the emirate.
Muraba Veil fits into Dubai’s long-term strategy to strengthen its status as a world leader in high-rise and landmark construction. The city already boasts the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, and the recently announced second tallest skyscraper, the Burj Azizi; Dubai also has the highest concentration of towers over 300 meters in the world.
