Megaprojects: First glimpse inside Dubai's new $1 billion skyscraper, ICD Brookfield Place

New sustainable tower shows the DIFC remains a major financial hub, the building's design consultant says

The 'summer garden' at ICD Brookfield Place. Reem Mohammed / The National

The tower cost an estimated $1 billion to build. Reem Mohammed / The National

The tower on Mustaqbal Street in DIFC is already filling up with corporate clients in a sign that the Middle East's financial centre remains a strong draw. Reem Mohammed / The National

The 282 metre tall tower. Reem Mohammed / The National

'Naturally, we saw a slowdown during the outset of the pandemic, but we have opened the doors to our tenants and since then we have seen strong interest, said Rob Devereux. Reem Mohammed / The National

The building's owners emphasise that its natural light and sustainability energy and air are important for well-being. Reem Mohammed / The National

The view from the 50th floor at ICD Brookfield Place building on Al Mustaqbal Street. Reem Mohammed/The National

Dubai's iconic skyline from the top floor of the ICD Brookfield Place skyscraper which has just opened in the emirate. Reem Mohammed/The National

An earlier artist's impression of ICD Brookfield Place. Courtesy: ICD Brookfield Place

A rendering of how ICD Brookfield Place will look once all the tenants have moved into the skyscraper. Courtesy: ICD Brookfield Place

The ICD Brookfield Place skyscraper in Dubai has been built with an emphasis on wellness and sustainability. Courtesy: ICD Brookfield Place

The 53-floor ICD Brookfield Place has just opened in Dubai's DIFC district. Courtesy: ICD Brookfield Place

The entrance to ICD Brookfield Place building in DIFC. Reem Mohammed/The National

The opening of a new 53-floor skyscraper in Dubai has been heralded as a strong indication that the emirate remains a key international business hub, despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.

ICD Brookfield Place, which offers 139,000 square metres of office and retail space, opened in September in the Dubai International Financial Centre.

Construction on the 282-metre tower, which cost about $1 billion, began in 2015.

"It sends a clear signal that Dubai, and the DIFC area in particular, remains a strong regional and global financial hub," said Saeed Al Abbar, managing director at specialist engineering consultancy AESG, which worked on the project.

It is a signal that business is still prosperous in this region despite the challenges created by the pandemic

“It is also a signal that business is still prosperous in this region despite the challenges created by the pandemic.”

The building has 92,000 square metres of office space, about 15,000 square metres of retail space and 13,000 square metres of green space.

Rob Devereux, chief executive of ICD Brookfield and Brookfield Properties Middle East, said the property was a vote of confidence for the megaprojects Dubai was renowned for.

“We are confident that as the anxiety surrounding the pandemic subsides, vibrant physical workplaces will remain in demand and key to corporate culture,” he said.

“High-quality office buildings with the best amenities, green space, technology and sustainability credentials will be well-equipped to provide an environment that harnesses the power of in-person connections, along with added support for employees’ health and safety.”

Like any project in 2020, completion of the building was not spared challenges created by the pandemic. However, Mr Devereux said construction was carried out with minimal disruption.

"Naturally, we saw a slowdown during the outset of the pandemic, but we have opened the doors to our tenants and since then we have seen strong interest from prospective tenants," he said.

Sustainability is an important tenet of the philosophy behind the project, Mr Devereux said.

“Designed to be energy efficient and minimise its ecological footprint, ICD Brookfield Place has reduced its energy consumptions by 28 per cent above industry standards,” he said.

“During construction over 87 per cent of waste was recycled to reduce waste to landfill and over 30 per cent of construction materials were from recycled sources, like steel and concrete, to save natural resources, and sourced locally to reduce environmental impacts from travel.”

The building is the tallest in the Middle East to receive the prestigious LEED Platinum status, the highest award handed out by the US Green Building Council for green building design, construction operations and performance.

Mr Devereux said the building has ample green space to boost the well-being of tenants and visitors.

That space includes the summer garden, a 31-metre high atrium space with trees and plants.

A study this year from Masdar, in partnership with The National and the World Future Energy Summit, said UAE residents found that their personal happiness was improved when they were close to green space.

Mr Devereux said the building was designed with a view to improving mental health.

“Ninety-five per cent of our building has panoramic views to the outdoors for optimal sunlight,” he said.

“Light impacts physical and mental health in a multitude of ways, from warding off seasonal depression to improving sleep.

“Natural light is a fundamental factor in a workplace conducive to wellness.”

There are already eight companies that have taken up office space at the property, including Ernst and Young, with more expected later in the year and early next year.

Another big-name tenant that will soon call Brookfield Place home is The Arts Club of London, one of the world's most famous and luxurious private members' clubs.

Mr Devereux said a high-end supermarket would also be part of the offerings at the building next year.

The Middle East's striking skyline:

ALMAS TOWER, DUBAI, 360 metres: Part of Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Almas tower was briefly the tallest in Dubai when it was topped out in 2008. It is the headquarters of Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, with high security vaults and safe deposits to protect clients' assets. Gabriela Maj / Bloomberg

ADDRESS BOULEVARD, DUBAI, 370 metres: Opened in March 2017, Address Boulevard boasts sells itself as a "city lifestyle resort". Residents and guests do not need to step onto the balmy streets to access Dubai Mall, which is it connected to with an air conditioned bridge. Not to be confused with the 300 metre tall Address Downtown, which was built in a similar modernist Art Deco style and opened in 2008. Courtesy: Emaar Hospitality

ELITE RESIDENCE, DUBAI, 380 metres: Opened in 2012, at an estimated cost of Dh1bn, the 91 floors have nearly 700 flats with views over Palm Jumeirah. It boasts a distinctive design and is recognisable on the marina skyline. Chris Whiteoak / The National

BURJ MOHAMMED BIN RASHID, ABU DHABI, 381 metres: Abu Dhabi makes it into the top 10, with a building named in honour of the Ruler of Dubai. Completed in 2013, the capital’s tallest building is part of the World Trade Centre which includes a mall and souq. Mona Al Marzooqi/ The National

23 MARINA, DUBAI, 392 metres: Briefly the world’s tallest residential tower, 23 Marina opened in 2012. It includes 57 swimming and plunge pools, with 62 high speed lifts, including one for each of the 23 four bedroom duplexes, and boasts views over Media City's lake and amphitheatre. Chris Whiteoak / The National

AL HAMRA TOWER, KUWAIT CITY, 412 metres: Kuwait’s tallest building is marked by its curved sculpted concrete exterior, which is also the world’s tallest of its type. It was completed in 2011 with offices, a shopping mall and a rooftop restaurant. AFP

PRINCESS TOWER, DUBAI, 413 metres: The tallest residential building in the world until it was overtaken by 432 Park Avenue in Manhattan five years ago, Princess Tower was opened in 2012 with 763 residential units. There are 107 storeys, including six underground, with an observation deck on the 97th floor. Chris Whiteoak / The National

MARINA 101, DUBAI, 425 metres: The second tallest building in Dubai is also the 27th tallest in the world. Construction began in 2006 and, although it was completed in 2017, the building remains unfinished and unoccupied due to financing issues. Chris Whiteoak / The National

MAKKAH ROYAL CLOCK TOWER, MAKKAH, 601 metres: Part of the Abraj Al Bayt complex, the tower over looks the Great Mosque of Makkah and the Kaaba and was completed in 2012. It includes the highest and tallest clock faces in the world – the minute hands alone are 23 metres long. AFP

BURJ KHALIFA, DUBAI, 828 metres: The tallest building in the world when it was completed in 2010, Burj Khalifa actually took the title a year earlier when it surpassed Taiwan’s Taipei 101. It boasts several world records, including the building with the most floors (163), the world’s longest elevators at 504m, and the world's highest restaurant. It is so tall the sun sets three minutes later on the observation deck than on the ground. Tarek Fahmy / Reuters