In 1970s, Almullah Enterprises of Saudi Arabia built their hotel on reclaimed land alongside Dubai Creek where Workboats servicing Dubai's Offshore Oilfields berthed
Italian Architectural Rome Group in association with Rader Mileto were the Designers
Rome deigned the 255 room Sheraton Hotel as an advanced bio-climatic building - unique for its time
Ahead of its time
Early 1970s Dubai Creek became a base for constructing offshore structures, oil support industries and supply boat operations associated with Dubai's growing offshore oil industry.
Almullah Enterprises of Saudi Arabia decided to build a hotel in midst of this industrial activity
Hotel was to become Dubai's iconic Sheraton on the Creek Hotel.
1970s Dubai suffered from a shortage of hotels.
Sheraton Hotel on the Creek was a welcomed addition.
Work began on Sheraton Hotel in mid 1970s on reclaimed land alongside Deira side of Dubai Creek. Italian Architectural Rome Group in association with Rader Mileto Associated, Rome designed the 255 room Sheraton Hotel Complex as an advanced bio-climatic building. This Complex comprised a hotel and residential apartments. Dubai's then Ruler, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum laid the hotel's foundation stone in 1975 with the Hotel formally opening in 1978. Hotel Guests and Residents enjoyed uninterrupted views across Dubai Creek to a Dubaiside yet to be developed and onward to Dubai's World Trade Centre then still under construction.
Sheraton Hotel under construction 1976.
Image: Tor Eigland/Saudi Aramco World/SAWDIA
A change in Dubai's Planning and Land Regulations enabled Dubai Creek to be dredged and widened providing new reclaimed land on Deiraside. Dubai Municipality then sold or leased this new land to relieve pressure on the increasingly crowded Deira Business District. Sheraton Hotel is being built on this reclaimed land.
By 1976, Port Rashid was struggling to cope with high levels of cargo. This image shows ships at anchor off Dubai waiting for a berth in Port Rashid. At its peak, over 200 ships waited offshore to berth at Port Rashid for up the four months.
Sheraton Hotel under construction 1976.
Image: Tor Eigland/Saudi Aramco World/SAWDIA
Reclaimed land also provided a facility for Dubai's Offshore Oil Industry to moor their work boats. Sheraton Hotel was built amongst this off shore oil activity. In later years these work boats were replaced by yachts and purpose built Dhows offering Dinner Cruises.
On Dubaiside of Dubai Creek is the British Consulate hiding amongst the greenery. It was here that Queen Elizabeth II ended her Dhow cruise during her 1979 State visit to Dubai.
Sheraton Hotel under construction 1976.
Image: Tor Eigland/Saudi Aramco World/SAWDIA
Dubai was so short of hotels in early 1970s that visiting Guests often shared Rooms. Cruise Ship "Bon Vivant" was berthed in Dubai Creek to provide hotel accommodation.
Opening of the Sheraton Hotel on Dubai Creek was a welcome and necessary addition to Dubai's hotels.
Dubai's Sheraton Hotel on the Creek is one of the first of Dubai's buildings to present cutting edge architecture.
Despite being dwarfed by many surrounding newer architectural wonders, Sheraton on the Creek today retains its distinctive silhouette looking as fresh as it did in 1978.
Although Dubai's many new hotels are larger and more opulent, none enjoy Sheraton on the Creek's unique location and outlook.
The hotel was refurbished in 2002.
