{
  "id": 2700048,
  "title": "Landmark Toyota building has been a home for thousands and a witness to Dubai's rapid expansion",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/landmark-toyota-building-has-been-a-home-for-thousands-and-a-witness-2700048",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-23T02:00:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2026/08/23/landmark-toyota-building-has-been-a-home-for-thousands-and-a-witness-to-dubais-rapid-expansion/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Dubai's Toyota building, a 15-storey landmark from 1974, will soon meet its demise after witnessing Dubai's rapid expansion. The building, one of the city's earliest towers, was home to thousands and served as a starting point for Dubai's frenetic pace of development. For the reporter, it was a home for three years starting in late 2004, situated next to Interchange One on Sheikh Zayed Road. The modest room was inexpensive, included all bills, and was rented from a friendly Egyptian man, Hossam. The location was convenient, offering a short taxi ride to work and other amenities. Despite the building being overshadowed by skyscrapers, its relative simplicity was a draw. The reporter lived in a relative luxury compared to many Dubai residents who could only afford a bed space. The building housed a diverse community of Indian, Pakistani, Arab, and Russian residents. Over the three years, the reporter never encountered another westerner. Transportation was provided by taxis, usually arriving within a minute or two. The building had a small shop on the ground floor, run by an elderly man, and a functional lobby with non-functioning lifts. The balcony offered a stunning view of Sheikh Zayed Road, including the Dusit Thani Dubai and other high-rises. The reporter commuted to Abu Dhabi after taking a job with The National, resulting in a sad departure from the Toyota building.",
  "summary": "Dubai’s Toyota building has earned its landmark status. This 15-storey block, which dates back to 1974, stands proudly in photographs of early Dubai, with Sheikh Zayed Road cutting its way through the almost empty desert. It was one of the city’s first towers, a starting point for a frenetic pace of development that would turn this stretch of road into one of the most dramatically built-up…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "Landmark Toyota building has been a home for thousands and a witness to Dubai's rapid expansion",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/landmark-toyota-building-has-been-a-home-for-thousands-and-a-witness",
        "published": "2026-08-23T02:00:01.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}