Shining Tower is a distinctive mixed-use development in Al Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi, known for its unusual twin-tower design. The complex combines a residential tower with a commercial office tower, while shared podium and basement levels accommodate retail, leisure areas, building services and parking.
There is also another reason for the name: the development is referred to as the Dancing Towers, as the two structures lean towards each other and sideways, so as to appear as two towers dancing without touching. The project was completed in 2012 and is one of the identifiable high-rise schemes in the centre of Abu Dhabi.
Shining Tower at a glance
The Shining Towers are composed of a pair of buildings with different functions. The higher building is mostly commercial, with the lower building having apartments. Shared facilities for both towers are on the lower level.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Development | Shining Towers |
| Common name | Dancing Towers |
| Area | Al Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi |
| Street | Mubarak Bin Mohammed Street |
| Development type | Mixed-use |
| Completion | 2012 |
| Residential tower | Apartments |
| Commercial tower | Offices |
| Residential layouts | 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom |
| Parking | Basement parking |
| Shared facilities | Retail, fitness and concierge services |
The figures for the floors vary from sources due to differences in the way of counting. The complex has 2 towers; CTBUH records Shining Towers A as 34 floors and Shining Towers B as 29 floors, whereas the property and commercial sources typically refer to the complex as a 42-storey commercial tower and a 33-storey residential tower. As for the results, the key difference is that there’s a taller office building and a shorter residential building.
Location and setting
Shining Tower is situated in Al Khalidiyah, a central district in Abu Dhabi. The location is in an established urban fabric with residential development, offices, shops and restaurants and services to the public.
The development also borders the larger Corniche area. The building is easily accessible without a car via nearby public transport stops and the surrounding neighbourhood offers retail and dining opportunities within a relatively short distance.
Address
The building has a recorded address of:
Shining Towers, Mubarak Bin Mohammed Street, Al Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi, UAE
The building name is not sufficient for office appointments. Commercial tenants within the commercial tower have individual floor and office numbers; users will be directed to the complete address provided by the business.
The two towers have different purposes
The key to understanding Shining Tower is that it’s not just a single-use building.
Apartments are housed in the residential tower and office space in the commercial tower. Retail and other facilities are included in the shared podium, which links the development at the lower levels. This means that a residential development can be mixed with a business use and not become a residential or business property.
According to Cushman & Wakefield, the project is a 33-story residential tower and a 42-story commercial tower. CTBUH records each of the towers as a separate structure – Shining Towers A and B, 34 and 29 floors respectively – demonstrating the importance of counting floors according to the source.
Residential apartments
The residential area caters to larger 2/3 bedroom apartments. Two bedroom apartments are listed at approximately 1,350 sq. ft. and three bedroom apartments at about 2,100 to 2,700 sq. ft.
The common layout is of a living room, dining room, bedrooms, built-in wardrobes, kitchens, bathroom(s) and balconies. Further accommodation for staff may be provided in some three-bedroom units.
Two-bedroom apartments
One of the main apartment layouts in the building is the two-bedroom layout. Starting at around 1,350 sq. ft., Bayut provides units that feature living and dining areas, two bedrooms, built-in wardrobes, kitchen, two bathrooms and a balcony.
Internal disposition and condition vary from apartment to apartment. Thus, a listing should be viewed as a description of the property currently being offered, not as a promise that the finishes or furnishings of all two-bedroom apartments are the same.
Three-bedroom apartments
Three-bedroom apartments offer more space and come in sizes from around 2,100 to 2,700 sq. ft. These houses are ideal for people who require more space than just two bedrooms.
Some three-bedroom layouts also provide for staff accommodation. Like the smaller units, the actual floor plan, view, furnishings and condition of the apartment will vary by unit.
Office space
The taller tower is the commercial side of Shining Tower and houses office space for businesses and professional organisations.
It is home to companies that have individual office addresses within the building. Trowers & Hamlins, for instance, has its offices in Abu Dhabi at Office 3103, Floor 31, Shining Towers, Mubarak Bin Mohammed Street. This is why it is important for someone to go on a business appointment to have the details of that office and not just the name of the building.
Also distinctive of the tower’s commercial characteristics is its central location in Abu Dhabi. Yet again, another element that marks the high-rise setting of the building is Cushman & Wakefield’s views towards the Corniche and the Abu Dhabi skyline in the offices.
Architecture behind the Dancing Towers name
The most distinctive element of Shining Tower is its architecture.
The two towers were designed to symbolize a pair of dancers dancing together but not touching. They are also tilted to either side and inwards, giving them the characteristic look as seen from the surrounding streets.
The unusual geometry had to be achieved not only visually, but also because of the engineering requirements. According to engineering documentation, the project consists of two highly glazed towers connected by podium and basement levels with unique loadings due to their form.
Glazed façades
The towers feature highly glazed curtain-walled façades, accentuating the curved and inclined form of the towers. Engineering records indicate that the façade system would need to accommodate the unusual tower geometry, movement and shrinkage.
The simplicity of the structural design and façade engineering are among the factors that make the development stand out beyond its beauty. The tower’s shape had a direct impact on the way the buildings were designed and built.
Development and completion
Cushman & Wakefield reports Shining Towers was launched in 2008 and finished in 2012. Target Engineering files also show the development was completed in 2012 and has a total built-up area of around 111,474 square metres.
Cushman & Wakefield reports that the project was developed by Abu Dhabi Capital Group and that several specialist firms are involved with the project engineering and structural and construction aspects.
The structure was not a typical vertical block but rather a unique set of high-rise buildings that would add a stylish and interesting element to the Al Khalidiyah district. The shared podium and shared basement design have been used to coordinate the residential and commercial uses.
Recognition for the design
The GCC Tower Project of the Year 2010 was awarded to Shining Towers at the GCC Construction Week Awards.
The award is also recorded in the professional engineering record of Ramboll and in a publication of the Emirates Green Building Council. The recognition follows the development of the project and is related to the engineering and design value of the unusual configuration of the tower.
This is especially relevant as the most identifiable aspect of the development is the leaning relationship between the two towers, which presented design and construction challenges that needed to be resolved for both structure and façade.
Parking and building facilities
Within the development, there is parking at the basement levels. The property information refers to three basement levels; the mechanical, electrical and plumbing services are in the lower levels, while parking is in the basement also.
The building also offers facilities for both residential and commercial purposes. The published building information indicates that the building has 24-hour security, CCTV surveillance, a concierge, a gym and retail outlets.
The office towers and residential towers are different in terms of their elevator systems. According to Bayut, there are three high-speed elevators in the residential tower and the commercial tower has a pair of low- and high-zone elevators and a fire lift.
Retail and shared areas
The lower levels do not have a building restriction or parking restriction. Retail outlets surround the ground and podium areas and the shared development features landscaped areas and leisure-related spaces.
At multiple levels, there is a mixed-use character to the complex, with homes on the residential tower, offices on the commercial tower and commercial support around the bottom of the development.
Public transport access
Shining Tower can be reached by the bus service in Abu Dhabi and there are several bus stops in the vicinity of the tower.
Currently, Moovit shows Mubarak Bin Mohammed Street / Alliance Francaise as the closest train station, which is approximately 170 metres (or 3 minutes on foot) from Shining Towers. Other local stations are Zayed 1st Street/Mubarak Bin Mohammed Street and Hamdan Street/Iraq Embassy.
Routes that run near the building include (depending on stop and direction): 5, 7, 8, 32, 34, 40 and X62. Please check travel details before travelling, as travel times and routes may change.
Nearby services
Unlike a standout development, Shining Tower is located in a well-known area of Al Khalidiyah.
Supermarkets, restaurants and other common businesses surround it. The neighbourhood is also known for having Al Khalidiyah Mall as one of the shopping hubs and the Corniche area is also at a close distance.
For residents, it means that there is easy access to day-to-day shopping and eating around the building without having to travel to other districts. For the working day, there are food and retail services in the same neighbourhood for office workers.
Who is Shining Tower suited to?
The development is for the benefit of two groups: residential tenants and owners and/or businesses and office users.
The biggest draw for residential properties is that they are available in two- and three-bedroom configurations and they’re located within a central part of Abu Dhabi. The residential character is enhanced by the building’s facilities, the basement parking and services in the immediate vicinity.
The office tower is used for commercial purposes, with the recognition of a high-rise business address in Al Khalidiyah. The commercial building enjoys its strategic position, office facilities and connectivity with the surrounding transport and services.
What to check when choosing an apartment
While the building-level data provides a good indication of a building’s residential product, every apartment should be considered on its own merits.
Because of the floor size, view, furnishings, condition and actual floor configuration, this unit may differ from unit to unit. The layout of the internal space of a three-bedroom apartment on one floor cannot be automatically assumed to be the same as a three-bedroom apartment in another location in the tower.
It is also important to confirm parking for the particular apartment. The development offers parking in the basement, but this is a property-specific detail of the allocation associated with a specific rental/sale listing.
What to check for an office visit
It’s important for office visitors to pay attention to the precise company address.
Shining Tower is home to several businesses, so please double-check the tower, floor and office number before entering. The building name will be used to identify the development, not the specific business within it.
This is also the case with delivery drivers and couriers. The company has provided the full published address, which will minimise the chances of arriving at the right building but the wrong door or floor.
Why Shining Tower remains distinctive in Abu Dhabi
What makes Shining Tower special is its location in one of the most central areas of Al Khalidiyah, its double function – residential/commercial – and its form.
A lot of high-rise complexes divide their functions into separate projects for residential or commercial purposes. Shining Towers, on the other hand, has combined both uses within two similar buildings and a common podium. The leaning of the towers’ forms then creates an instant identity that is distinct from the traditional high-rise building with straight vertical sides.
The fact that it was completed in 2012 also gives the building a history of operation rather than it being a recent project. There are ongoing residential and office property listings in the complex.
Conclusion
Located in Al Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi, Shining Tower is a landmark mixed-use development comprising two iconic towers that blend residential apartment and commercial office spaces. Its leaning forms, common podium and highly glazed facades provide the building with its recognisable Dancing Towers identity.
The main things that residents will consider are the layout of the apartment, the condition of the apartment, parking and building facilities. The exact tower, floor and office number are important for businesses and visitors, as many different businesses operate within the commercial part of the building.
Shining Tower is a recognizable landmark in Abu Dhabi’s urban landscape due to its central location, its diverse use as a residential high-rise, office tower, basement parking, retail facilities and its unique architecture.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shining Tower?
Shining Tower is a twin tower development comprising residential apartments, offices and retail facilities located in Al Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi.
Where is Shining Tower located?
It’s situated on Mubarak Bin Mohammed Street, Al Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi.
Why is it called the Dancing Towers?
The two towers are curved outwards and towards one another, giving the impression of two dancers dancing while keeping their distance from one another.
When was Shining Tower completed?
The development was finished in 2012.
Are apartments available in Shining Tower?
Yes. There are 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom apartments in the residential tower.
Does Shining Tower have parking?
Yes. The development has three basement levels that include parking and building-service areas.
Is Shining Tower residential or commercial?
It is both. One tower is residential and the taller tower is predominantly office.
Is there public transport near Shining Tower?
Yes. There are a number of bus stops within walking distance in Abu Dhabi, including at Mubarak Bin Mohammed Street / Alliance Francaise.
