Crystal Tower to enhance JBR leisure offerings

Turkish architectural group says project will add value to the community

Dubai: A new leisure complex titled Crystal Tower will complement ‘The Beach’, a major retail development under way in The Walk, Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR).

Visitors to the popular beachfront stretch will see new hotels, restaurants, a beach club, gym and a modern mosque coming up.

Speaking to Gulf News about her latest project, Melkan Tabanlioglu of Turkish-based Tabanlioglu Architects, said she expects it to introduce a new lifestyle concept in Dubai.

Tabanlioglu Architects has been renowned for creating outstanding architectural designs. In 2011, it became the first Turkish architect group to be awarded the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) International Award for architectural excellence in the Loft Gardens in Turkey.

Tabanlioglu studied architecture at Istanbul Technical University. After graduating in 1993, she attended Polytechnic University of Metropolitan Catalonia, Spain, for her Master of Architecture.

One of the latest projects of Tabanlioglu Architects includes Bodrum International Airport, which was launched last June.

Details under wraps

Although details of Crystal Tower are still under wraps until the developer officially launches the project at the year end, Tabanlioglu revealed that it is a project undertaken by the Al Fattan Group.

“Construction has already started. The inspiration for the project came from the people and everything should be about bringing people together. This is my first project in the country and if there are more opportunities to come, then why not continue,” said Tabanlioglu.

The project will also add value to the community as it has plans to build a mosque that can accommodate 1,200 worshippers and a dedicated prayer hall for women.

Although Tabanlioglu is based in Istanbul, she has etched her mark worldwide, having designed a number of projects in Tripoli, Equatorial Guinea and Russia.

Having recently won the Community and Culture Project Award — Built category at the 2012 Cityscape Dubai Awards for Emerging Markets, Tabanlioglu Architects is expected to have a bigger presence in the region after the firm launched its first international office in Dubai after the success of its offices in Istanbul and Ankara.

“The building will have an aesthetic look and incorporate a lot of social life. I looked around at what was surrounding [the area] and see architecture as a social structure that brings a level of convenience to people. I look at how the building can add value to the city,” she added.

GulfNews