In photos: A look back at Dubai's iconic Toyota building
Dubai: Dubai’s iconic Toyota building is set to disappear from the city skyline, with demolition planned for 2027, marking the end of more than five decades of history on Sheikh Zayed Road. Completed in 1974, the 15-storey Nasser Rashid Lootah Building was among the first three buildings to rise near what was then the First Roundabout. Standing about 65 metres tall, it became one of the road’s…
Dubai's iconic Toyota Building, standing tall on Sheikh Zayed Road, is set to meet its end in 2027 after more than five decades of being a recognizable landmark in the city's skyline. Completed in 1974, the 15-storey Nasser Rashid Lootah Building quickly became one of Sheikh Zayed Road's most notable structures.
The building gained its popular nickname after a bright red Toyota sign was installed on its roof in 1981. For roughly 40 years, the illuminated sign became a familiar sight to motorists, even though the advertising contract expired in 2018 and the sign was subsequently removed.
Throughout its history, the residential complex housed one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, with tenants still able to remain until December 2026 as per management rules. However, as the landmark prepares for its demolition, the city is bidding farewell to a memorable chapter in Dubai's urban history.
Photos tell the story of the Toyota Building's journey through time. In 1979, the building stood proudly amid Dubai’s rapidly changing skyline. In 1992, an ongoing road development project further transformed the scene. Over the years, the building remained a prominent feature on Sheikh Zayed Road, even if the city continued to evolve around it.
By 2001, the Toyota Building was firmly established among the city's skyline, as seen in a view of Sheikh Zayed Road. In 2006 and 2008, the building continued to shape the evolving skyline, with construction work on Interchange No.1 (Defence Roundabout) taking place nearby.
In 2017, the Toyota Building stood alongside Dubai Metro and the Burj Khalifa, shaping the city's skyline. As it moved into 2019, the building remained a symbol of Dubai's early skyscraper era, alongside the city's other iconic structures.
Though the Toyota Building will soon disappear, it remains a well-known landmark on Sheikh Zayed Road as of 2024. However, its days are numbered, as the building is set to be demolished in 2027, concluding a historic era in Dubai's urban landscape.
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