• January 8, 2013: foundations are laid at the construction side for the Louvre Abu Dhabi. The National
    January 8, 2013: foundations are laid at the construction side for the Louvre Abu Dhabi. The National
  • January 8, 2013: early construction on the Louvre Abu Dhabi site on Saadiyat Island. The National
    January 8, 2013: early construction on the Louvre Abu Dhabi site on Saadiyat Island. The National
  • May 12, 2013: a tower begins to rise as construction progresses on the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Silvia Razgova / The National
    May 12, 2013: a tower begins to rise as construction progresses on the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Silvia Razgova / The National
  • May 29, 2013: seven cranes tower over the construction site where workers waterproof the lower basement level, which is 7m bellow sea level. Silvia Razgova / The National
    May 29, 2013: seven cranes tower over the construction site where workers waterproof the lower basement level, which is 7m bellow sea level. Silvia Razgova / The National
  • October 1, 2013: aerial view of the Louvre Abu Dhabi construction site shows progression. Silvia Razgova / The National
    October 1, 2013: aerial view of the Louvre Abu Dhabi construction site shows progression. Silvia Razgova / The National
  • December 4, 2013: workers help keep in place a super-sized element (SSE 63), the first piece of the steel dome of Louvre Abu Dhabi, which will be constructed of 85 total separate pieces. The element weighs about 41 tonnes, and will rest on its sphere-shaped bearings nestled atop temporary towers. Silvia Razgova / The National
    December 4, 2013: workers help keep in place a super-sized element (SSE 63), the first piece of the steel dome of Louvre Abu Dhabi, which will be constructed of 85 total separate pieces. The element weighs about 41 tonnes, and will rest on its sphere-shaped bearings nestled atop temporary towers. Silvia Razgova / The National
  • December 12, 2013: men work on a mock-up section of the dome at the Louvre Abu Dhabi construction site. Construction has begun on the steel dome with an installation of its first super-sized skeleton piece. Silvia Razgova / The National
    December 12, 2013: men work on a mock-up section of the dome at the Louvre Abu Dhabi construction site. Construction has begun on the steel dome with an installation of its first super-sized skeleton piece. Silvia Razgova / The National
  • March 13, 2014: Men work on creating a work platform, high in the air, just beneath the future iconic dome structure at the Louvre Abu Dhabi construction site. One year after the start of construction, the museum is already taking shape. Silvia Razgova / The National
    March 13, 2014: Men work on creating a work platform, high in the air, just beneath the future iconic dome structure at the Louvre Abu Dhabi construction site. One year after the start of construction, the museum is already taking shape. Silvia Razgova / The National
  • May 15, 2014: progress on the construction of the Louvre Abu Dhabi appears steadfast as more of the main dome pieces have been added and its curve is now clear; as seen at the future gallery’s construction site. Silvia Razgova / The National
    May 15, 2014: progress on the construction of the Louvre Abu Dhabi appears steadfast as more of the main dome pieces have been added and its curve is now clear; as seen at the future gallery’s construction site. Silvia Razgova / The National
  • September 21, 2014: the dome of Louvre Abu Dhabi is now only missing a couple of super-sized elements. Silvia Razgova / The National
    September 21, 2014: the dome of Louvre Abu Dhabi is now only missing a couple of super-sized elements. Silvia Razgova / The National
  • December 9, 2014: the Louvre Abu Dhabi reaches another construction milestone as dome rests fully on four permanent piers. Silvia Razgova / The National
    December 9, 2014: the Louvre Abu Dhabi reaches another construction milestone as dome rests fully on four permanent piers. Silvia Razgova / The National
  • March 30, 2015: as the work on Louvre Abu Dhabi progresses, the marine works, which prepare the immediate surroundings of the gallery for future flooding with sea water, continue on dry land as well as underwater with the help of construction divers. Silvia Razgova / The National
    March 30, 2015: as the work on Louvre Abu Dhabi progresses, the marine works, which prepare the immediate surroundings of the gallery for future flooding with sea water, continue on dry land as well as underwater with the help of construction divers. Silvia Razgova / The National
  • May 17, 2015: men work on the ceiling for the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National
    May 17, 2015: men work on the ceiling for the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National
  • May 19, 2016: stone beach is flooded to sea level for the first time. Christopher Pike / The National
    May 19, 2016: stone beach is flooded to sea level for the first time. Christopher Pike / The National
  • January 30, 2017: Louvre Abu Dhabi as it is now. Ravindranath K / The National
    January 30, 2017: Louvre Abu Dhabi as it is now. Ravindranath K / The National

Travel and Tourism

Museum in the making: Louvre Abu Dhabi through the years - in pictures

Rob Gurdebeke

February 06, 2017

  • English
  • Arabic

The opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi is generating an international buzz as one of the most anticipated events of the year. Until it opens, we look back at the construction progress to date.

› Read the story here: World eagerly awaits the Louvre Abu Dhabi

TechnologySaadiyat IslandAbu DhabiTourism