Signature Towers
Signature Towers (formerly known as Dancing Towers) was an under construction for a three-tower, mixed-use complex in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It was designed by Iraqi born architect Zaha Hadid after winning an international design competition which included proposals from OMA and Reiser & Umemoto among others. The developers were Dubai Properties, the company responsible for the earlier Jumeirah Beach Residence. Apart from these three towers, the project would also include a new building to house the Dubai Financial Market, a large podium containing retail space and a pedestrian bridge crossing the creek extension.
Dubai
Dubai is the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates and the capital of the Emirate of Dubai. It is on a creek on the southeastern coast of the Persian Gulf. As of 2025, its population stands at 4 million, 92% of whom are expatriates. The wider urban area includes Sharjah and has a population of 5 million people as of 2023, while the Dubai–Sharjah–Ajman metropolitan area has a population of 6 million people. Founded in the early 18th century as a pearling and fishing settlement, Dubai became a regional trade hub in the 20th century after declaring itself a free port (1901) and extending the Creek (1961). Modest oil revenue helped accelerate Dubai's development from the 1960s to the 1990s, when the city started to diversify its economy. In 2018, oil production contributed less than 1% to the emirate's GDP. Rapid construction since the 1990s has produced one of the world's densest skylines, including the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. Extensive land-reclamation projects have added more than 300 kilometres (190 mi) of artificial coastline. The city has a large real estate market, especially in the luxury segment. Dubai's economy centres on trade, tourism, aviation, financial services, and real estate. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is one of the world's major financial centres. In 2024, Dubai was the seventh most-visited city globally. Dubai International Airport (DXB) is the world's busiest airport for international passenger traffic, handling over 92 million passengers in 2024.
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Open in Atlas MapFrequently Asked Questions
How long does the Emirate of Dubai architecture walking tour take?+
The self-guided walking tour covers approximately 14.7 km with 3 stops. Allow approximately 4 hours including 20 minutes of viewing time per building.
Is the Emirate of Dubai architecture tour free?+
Yes, this is a completely free self-guided walking tour. You can view the route on the interactive map, export it to Google Maps for navigation, and explore at your own pace.
Do I need to book the Emirate of Dubai architecture tour in advance?+
No booking is required — this is a self-guided tour that you can start at any time. All buildings can be viewed from the outside. For guided tours with expert commentary, we recommend checking GetYourGuide for local architecture tours.
What is the best time to do the Emirate of Dubai architecture walking tour?+
Morning light (before 11am) is ideal for photography of building facades. Weekdays tend to be less crowded around commercial buildings. Allow a full half day for the complete tour.