Seven of Asia and Mena region's most exciting buildings opening in 2023

Asia and the Middle East region are well known for unique architecture. Nine out of 10 of the world's tallest skyscrapers can be found here, but the bigger-is-better approach isn't all that makes it stand out.

Architects across both regions are rethinking the way they build, whether through sustainability credentials or the story each construction is telling.

Here are some of the most standout projects being completed this year, proving architectural boundaries are still being pushed.

Ciel Tower, Dubai, UAE

Dubai is about to smash its own record. The First Group's Ciel Tower in Dubai Marina is set to be the world's tallest standalone hotel, at 365 metres, surpassing the previous record of 356 metres by Gevora Hotel, which is on Sheikh Zayed Road.

It will have more than 1,000 guestrooms and suites, as well as premium amenities, such as the Ciel Observatory & Lounge on the 81st floor and a signature rooftop Sky Terrace with an infinity pool and bar.

Work on the megaproject is on track to meet the scheduled completion date in the fourth quarter of this year, and the hotel's opening in the first half of next year.

It was designed by Dubai's Norr Group, as an "inspired response to vertical living", according to the architecture firm's website. "The positioning of the form on the site and the overall massing of the tower offers views in all directions. Abstractly sculpted from metal and glass, the curved forms gently reflect in the setting sun."

Atlantis The Royal, Dubai, UAE

Another hotel in Dubai making international headlines is Atlantis The Royal, which finally opens this week.

This ultra-luxury waterfront hotel and residence on Dubai's Palm Jumeirah is set to have music megastar Beyonce perform at its opening on Saturday.

The resort, designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, or KPF, spans 63 hectares and houses 795 rooms and suites, countless hospitality venues and no less than 90 swimming pools.

Its distinctive form consists of six towers shaped like a stack of individual blocks, connected from above by a 90-metre by 33-metre sky bridge.

Dramatic water features, vertical gardens and an expansive sky bridge are among the defining design features of the mega-resort. Sitting brazenly on the outer crescent of the Palm Jumeirah, its dominating silhouette has already become an integral part of Dubai’s skyline.

The much-anticipated property, which has been years in the making, is accepting bookings for stays from February 10.

Abrahamic Family House, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Currently being built on Saadiyat Island, the Abrahamic Family House aims to represent and preserve the three Abrahamic religions — Islam, Christianity and Judaism.

The houses of worship are designed as three clear geometric cubes that sit on a plinth, connected by pathways and gardens. The structures share equal external dimensions — height, width and a unifying roof — emphasising through design that no faith is more dominant than the other.

It's been designed by Sir David Adjaye, who has said he wants the space to be a place that connects people, and welcomes discussion about their roots and faith.

It is due to be completed this year.

Grand Egyptian Museum, Cairo, Egypt

Two kilometres from the Pyramids of Giza, the new museum complex occupies 500,000 square metres. Photo: Grand Egyptian Museum

The world is waiting for the Grand Egyptian Museum, also known as the Giza Museum, to finally open its doors. Its opening was postponed from 2021 due to the pandemic.

It is set to be the largest archaeological museum in the world once it does, with artefacts of ancient Egypt, many dating back thousands of years, including the complete Tutankhamun collection.

Located 2km from the Pyramids of Giza, the new museum complex occupies an area of 500,000 square metres.

Designed by Dublin's Heneghan Peng Architects, the building, which is triangular in form, pays homage to the pyramids. It will feature exhibition spaces, a children's museum, conservation centre and outdoor spaces such as a sculpture garden.

It started welcoming a limited number of guests in November, ahead of its official opening this year.

Iconic Tower, Cairo, Egypt

Almost five years in the making, Africa’s tallest skyscraper has risen in the desert, 45km east of the Nile and the centre of Cairo.

The 385-metre, 78-storey Iconic Tower is expected to be finally finished this year, after numerous delays.

It will be the centrepiece among the 20 towers of the Central Business District in the New Administrative Capital, a megaproject launched by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi in 2015.

Dar Al-Handasah, an architectural firm founded in Beirut in 1956 with a principal design centre in Cairo, began work on the Iconic Tower in May 2018, with construction starting in 2019.

Built on an area of 65,000 square metres, the Iconic Tower is about half the height of the Burj Khalifa.

It’s one of about 20 skyscrapers being built in the new central business district.

Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Merdeka 118 is set to be the world's second-largest building. Getty Images

The tallest building to open this year is Merdeka 118, set to become the world's second-tallest skyscraper.

At 678.9 metres, it's only 150 metres short of the current record holder for the tallest building, Dubai's Burj Khalifa.

It steals the title from China's Shanghai Tower, which stands 632 metres tall.

Designed by Australian firm Fender Katsalidis, Merdeka 118 is scheduled to be completed this year after construction delays.

Built on the historically significant Merdeka site, where Malaysia's independence was declared in 1957, the building’s 118 storeys will house offices and a hotel, topped by a dual-level observation deck and a restaurant, which is expected to be the highest in South-East Asia.

The building’s exterior design is modelled on triangular shapes found in traditional Malaysian arts and crafts.

Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, India

Airport design has gotten more chic and competitive over the years, with the likes of Singapore's Changi and the numerous airports coming up in Saudi Arabia raising the bar for architecture firms.

This year, India will welcome Kempegowda International Airport's 250,000-square-metre Terminal 2 in Bengaluru, the country's third most populous city.

Capacity is expected to be boosted by about 25 million, increasing to 40 million after the second phase of construction is complete.

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the firm behind world-renowned projects such as Burj Khalifa and New York's One World Trade Centre, are behind the job.

“Designed as a reflection of this city, it is founded on four pillars: technological leadership, the idea of a terminal in a garden, environmental and ecological stewardship, and a celebration of Karnataka’s rich heritage and culture," said Hari Marar, chief executive and managing director of Bengaluru International Airport Limited.

Inspiration is taken from nature, with interconnected buildings joined together by landscaped, foliage-strewn spaces featuring indoor waterfalls, a vast, three-story “forest belt” and bamboo-clad ceilings.

Scroll through images of the world's most twisted towers below

Classification of skills

A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.

A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.

The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.

German intelligence warnings

2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”