If you’ve ever driven down Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai, you’ve seen them. You honestly can't miss them. Two identical, massive stone-clad monoliths that look like they were ripped straight out of 1930s Manhattan and dropped into the middle of the desert. People call them the King and Queen Towers, but if you’re looking for them on a formal map or a business directory, you’ll actually find them listed as the Al Kazim Towers.
They are weird. I mean that in the best way possible. In a city that prides itself on "the tallest," "the twistiest," and "the most gold-plated," these towers decided to go backwards in time. They look exactly like the Chrysler Building. No, really—the resemblance is so striking that it’s often the first thing tourists point out when they’re heading toward Dubai Media City.
But there is a lot of misinformation floating around about these buildings. Some people think they are residential palaces; others think they are government hubs. Most people just assume they are a carbon copy of New York’s skyline without any local soul. They're wrong.
Why the King and Queen Towers Look Like New York
The Al Kazim Towers—the "King" and "Queen"—were completed around 2008. This was a wild time for Dubai. The city was expanding at a breakneck pace, and the developer, Al Kazim Investments, wanted something that stood out by looking old rather than looking futuristic.
The architecture is a direct homage to the Art Deco style. Specifically, the tiered, stainless steel arches at the top are a dead ringer for the iconic crown of the Chrysler Building in New York City. Why do we call them King and Queen? It’s mostly a local nickname that stuck. Since they are twin towers standing side-by-side, the symmetry creates this regal, chess-piece aesthetic.
The Architect’s Vision
The towers were designed by the firm National Engineering Bureau (NEB). If you look at their portfolio, they do a lot of the heavy lifting in Dubai’s skyline. For the King and Queen Towers, they didn't just want a glass box. They used granite and stone, which gives the buildings a sense of "weight" that most Dubai skyscrapers lack.
Standing at roughly 265 meters (about 870 feet) with 53 floors each, they aren't the tallest in the city—not by a long shot. But height isn't the point here. The point is the profile. Most Dubai buildings use curtain-wall glass that reflects the sun like a mirror. The King and Queen Towers absorb the light. They look solid. Permanent.
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The Difference Between the Two
Are they actually identical? To the naked eye, yeah, they are. They are mirrored versions of each other.
The "Queen" tower (often referred to as Tower A) and the "King" tower (Tower B) serve primarily as commercial office spaces. This is the heart of the business district. You’ll find everything from multinational tech firms to boutique media agencies inside.
One thing that surprises people is the lack of a "bridge" between them. Usually, twin towers in the UAE—like the Emirates Towers—have some sort of connecting element or a shared podium. The Al Kazim towers share a basement and parking structure, but they stand as distinct, solitary figures. It gives them a more imposing presence on the skyline.
Living Near the "Royalty" of Media City
You can't actually live in the King and Queen Towers. They are strictly for work. However, the area surrounding them—Dubai Media City and Tecom (now Barsha Heights)—is one of the most densely populated "work-live" zones in the Emirates.
If you are an expat working in one of these towers, your life basically revolves around the nearby metro station. The Dubai Internet City Metro Station is a short walk away. On a 40-degree Celsius day (which is basically every day from May to September), that "short walk" feels like a marathon, which is why you’ll see a constant stream of taxis circling the base of the towers.
The Realities of Working There
Honestly, the interior doesn't match the 1920s exterior. If you walk into the lobby, you aren't going to find Great Gatsby vibes. It’s very modern, very "Dubai Corporate." Polished marble, high-speed elevators, and intense security checkpoints.
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One of the biggest complaints from people who work there? The wind. Because of the way the towers are positioned, they create a massive wind tunnel. If there’s even a slight breeze in the city, it turns into a gale-force wind between the King and the Queen. It’s a literal "Marilyn Monroe moment" risk every time you leave the office.
A Legacy of "Copy-Paste" Architecture?
Some critics hate these towers. They argue that Dubai should be creating its own architectural language instead of "stealing" from New York or London.
I disagree.
The King and Queen Towers represent a specific moment in Dubai’s history where the city was trying to prove it could be a global financial hub on par with Manhattan. By mimicking the most famous office building in the world, they were signaling: "We have arrived."
Also, it’s worth noting that while the tops look like New York, the bases are very much adapted for the Middle East. The thick walls and smaller window-to-wall ratios (compared to all-glass towers) help with thermal insulation. It’s an accidental win for sustainability, even if that wasn't the primary goal in 2004 when they were being planned.
How to Get the Best Photo
If you’re a photographer or just a tourist looking for a good shot, don't stand right under them. They are too big.
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The best view is actually from the Dubai Marina side or from the Palm Jumeirah Monorail. When you’re elevated on the monorail, you can see how the towers frame the entrance to the Media City district. During "Golden Hour," the sun hits the stainless steel caps of the towers and they glow. It’s one of the few times Dubai feels less like a desert city and more like a noir film set.
Quick Stats for the Curious:
- Official Name: Al Kazim Towers.
- Total Height: 265 meters.
- Year Built: 2008.
- Floors: 53.
- Usage: Commercial/Office.
- Style: Neo-Art Deco.
What Most People Miss
There is a third building nearby that people sometimes confuse with the "set," but the Al Kazim towers are a duo. The symmetry is what makes them iconic.
Interestingly, the towers were one of the few major projects that stayed active and occupied through the 2008 financial crash. While other buildings were being put on hold or left as concrete skeletons, the King and Queen remained a beacon of activity. They’ve become a sort of "North Star" for commuters navigating the madness of Sheikh Zayed Road.
What to Do Next if You're Visiting
If you are planning to check out the King and Queen Towers, don't just look at them from the car window.
- Park in Media City: Find a spot near the amphitheater. It’s one of the few places where you can actually walk and get a sense of the scale of these buildings.
- Visit the Lobby: You can’t go to the roof (it’s private and mostly houses telecommunications gear), but the lobbies are accessible if you look like you belong there. It gives you a feel for the "Old Dubai Meets New Money" vibe.
- Eat Nearby: The area around the towers is full of incredible "hole-in-the-wall" spots that feed the thousands of office workers. Check out the cafes in the nearby Shatha Tower or the hotels in Media City for a view of the towers while you eat.
- Check the Metro View: Take the Red Line toward UAE Exchange. The view as you pass the towers at eye-level (from the elevated track) is the best way to see the intricate metalwork on the "crowns."
The King and Queen Towers might be "fakes" in the eyes of architectural purists, but in the heart of Dubai, they are symbols of a city that isn't afraid to be bold, even if that means looking to the past to build the future. They aren't just offices. They are the anchors of the skyline.
If you're heading that way, keep an eye on the traffic. The "King" and "Queen" are beautiful, but the bottleneck on Sheikh Zayed Road right in front of them is anything but royal. Plan your visit for mid-morning to avoid the rush.
To see these towers in person, set your GPS for "Al Kazim Towers, Dubai Media City." If you're using public transit, get off at the Dubai Internet City Metro Station and take the exit toward the landside (away from the sea). The walk is about seven minutes, but remember to stay hydrated—even a short walk near royalty can be a scorcher in this city.