![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6J7ZNGDMXFRBIOWU6V7EC5FAGM.jpg?smart=true&auth=9f36b093cbb0a91862eb9ae0bbbc740b291f804aea0dd97182ee285addd429a6&width=400&height=225)
The 38-storey building was one of the earliest skyscrapers in Dubai. Stephen Lock / The National
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Dubai World Trade Centre, designed by British architect John Harris, is part of a complex of exhibition centres and businesses. Jaime Puebla / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZB65WAEJTPRUR3NVGC6MHTUMAQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=724c388b55217468fa1cd359b79d279ba43bfa9656645238dbf047e251e55b37&width=400&height=225)
Dubai World Trade Centre under construction in the late 1970s. Photo: Gordon Heald
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A consultant taking in the view from an unfinished balcony in Dubai World Trade Centre in 1977. Photo: John R Harris Library
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZXXDJJJUYBBL5ESE365IAIZRRY.jpg?smart=true&auth=51edff61ba3721ec25ad86516b3c25bb694a8392f387b0d4f06794c7a4a15898&width=400&height=225)
A view from above Port Rashid towards the construction site of the World Trade Centre in 1977. Photo: John R Harris Library
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BDPBDC Dubai UAE Aerial Of The Trade Centre And Sheikh Zayed Road In 1978. Image shot 1978. Exact date unknown. Alamy
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/S47O2DJNPBFJTHTK6KW4NRUWUQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=8c25dcf77babfe8761c9b432d5cdc55e7d1591a43f80ab0cd9de26b14043a046&width=400&height=225)
Dubai World Trade Centre is still a landmark in a line of skyscrapers on Sheikh Zayed Road. Alamy
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6J7ZNGDMXFRBIOWU6V7EC5FAGM.jpg?smart=true&auth=9f36b093cbb0a91862eb9ae0bbbc740b291f804aea0dd97182ee285addd429a6&width=400&height=225)
The 38-storey building was one of the earliest skyscrapers in Dubai. Stephen Lock / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5UOV7LOQPY3HRTNNQVQJOQ4MAA.jpg?smart=true&auth=c98ea5e2ea8dfedf28c42a50205e0068f67048d4b55af78a999ee291cc749f00&width=400&height=225)
Dubai World Trade Centre, designed by British architect John Harris, is part of a complex of exhibition centres and businesses. Jaime Puebla / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZB65WAEJTPRUR3NVGC6MHTUMAQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=724c388b55217468fa1cd359b79d279ba43bfa9656645238dbf047e251e55b37&width=400&height=225)
Dubai World Trade Centre under construction in the late 1970s. Photo: Gordon Heald
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4I34LBMDWZB6XJN5BGGBEUZ6R4.jpg?smart=true&auth=fad7d965523626fce08a3ca0f0b36337303fbad53f2dfe7275788ac3b58d470c&width=400&height=225)
A consultant taking in the view from an unfinished balcony in Dubai World Trade Centre in 1977. Photo: John R Harris Library
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZXXDJJJUYBBL5ESE365IAIZRRY.jpg?smart=true&auth=51edff61ba3721ec25ad86516b3c25bb694a8392f387b0d4f06794c7a4a15898&width=400&height=225)
A view from above Port Rashid towards the construction site of the World Trade Centre in 1977. Photo: John R Harris Library
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MWJHE4Y7UVFVBLP3VO6C46UVAQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=b9c863f035ea61a683b67df85c47ff2178ab86e89da0997de0dba222e0eef2b5&width=400&height=225)
BDPBDC Dubai UAE Aerial Of The Trade Centre And Sheikh Zayed Road In 1978. Image shot 1978. Exact date unknown. Alamy
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/S47O2DJNPBFJTHTK6KW4NRUWUQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=8c25dcf77babfe8761c9b432d5cdc55e7d1591a43f80ab0cd9de26b14043a046&width=400&height=225)
Dubai World Trade Centre is still a landmark in a line of skyscrapers on Sheikh Zayed Road. Alamy
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6J7ZNGDMXFRBIOWU6V7EC5FAGM.jpg?smart=true&auth=9f36b093cbb0a91862eb9ae0bbbc740b291f804aea0dd97182ee285addd429a6&width=400&height=225)
The 38-storey building was one of the earliest skyscrapers in Dubai. Stephen Lock / The National
Timeframe: 44 years since Dubai World Trade Centre opened
Sheikh Rashid Tower, as the building was originally known, was inaugurated on February 26, 1979 by Queen Elizabeth II
![Razmig Bedirian](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F275b4b76-cb6d-410e-a5df-c23d65484c26.png?smart=true&auth=fc94b07464368c9c664f3bd102f95ffe4c76b1b38fe7d6fee2362e26add51d0e&width=70&height=70)
Razmig Bedirian
17 February, 2023
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