All The Tips in the World for You

This is Riyad's Famous Kingdom Tower which is also known as Burj Ul Mamlaka in Arabic.Kingdom Centre was planned from the beginning as an iconic symbol of Saudi Arabia, and the final design was selected after a 3-year process which included over 100 submissions by major architectural firms.It is the tallest skyscraper in Saudi Arabia.

With a height of 303 m (992 ft), it is the 24th tallest building in world. The tower is host to the highest mosque in the world. The Kingdom Centre is owned by Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, a prince of the Saudi royal family. It is also the headquarters of his holding company: Kingdom Holding Company. The total cost of the project was 2 billion Saudi Arabian Riyals and the contract was taken by Saudi Arabian El Saif and the Italian Impregilo S.P.A.

Kingdom Centre is situated in Al-Urubah Road between King Fahd Road and Olaya Street in the growing business district of Olaya in Riyadh.

Kingdom Centre was the winner of the 2002 Emporis Skyscraper Award,selected as the "best skyscraper of the world for design".

A three-level shopping center, which also won a major design award, fills the east wing. The large opening is illuminated at night in continuously changing colors.

Besides the shopping mall, the Centre includes a Four Seasons Hotel , a major bank headquarters ,a sports club ,a wedding and conference center and state-of-the-art condominium and apartment complex.The ellipse motif taken from the tower's footprint appears also in the light fixtures, ceiling panels, entrance canopy, wastebins, and furniture. The Shopping Mall contains 170 prestigious stores divided as follows:

1.Service Floor (-1) 10 Stores
2.Ground Floor ( 0) 80 Stores
3. First Floor (+1) 40 Stores
4.Ladies Floor (+2) 40 Stores

The ladies floor is exclusive to women, with female shop assistants and guides who do not wear the abaya worn by females in public places in Saudi Arabia.

The tower's unique shape culminates in a triangular opening spanned by a 56 meter skybridge with a public observation deck.It is possible to go up to the 'skybridge' where there are view of the whole city of Riyadh. The observation deck has a steeply arched floor, and features diagonal cross-beams along the windows.Chicago.

The Al Faisaliyah Center was the first skyscraper constructed in Saudi Arabia and the second tallest building in the country after the Kingdom Centre.

Immediately below it an outside viewing deck; at ground level, there is a shopping center with major world brands.The 4 corner beams of the al faisaliyah centre join at the top above a golden ball. The design is said to be based on that of a ballpoint pen. Inside the golden ball is a luxury restaurant.

There is a clear view of Saudi Arabia's other skyscraper, the Kingdom Centre, from the Al Faisaliyah Center and the two buildings create a silhouetted skyline in the evening.

The tower was designed by UK based architects Foster and Partners and engineers Buro Happold.

The tower is part of a larger complex, the Al Faisaliyah Complex, which consists of a hotel, the tower, and two other buildings.

This is what BBC Described about it when it was opened in May 2000 .

"Saudi Arabia's first skyscraper has been officially opened in the capital, Riyadh.After decades of expanding outwards, Riyadh has now shot up into the air.At 267m high, the gently curving profile of the Faisaliah tower is visible from almost anywhere in the city of four million.

From a distance, the British-designed tower resembles the nib of a fountain pen.

It took three years to complete, and uses some unusual methods of combating the desert heat of more than 50°C (120°F). "

Source:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/744046.stm