Makkah’s Al-Bait towers will be built on the site of the Ajyad Fort, at a cost of $1.6 billion, to meet the residential requirements of increasing numbers of pilgrims visiting Islam’s holiest city. Construction of the Towers is due to be completed by early 2006, according to a report published today by Arab News.
“Every year the number of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims increases,” said Dr Tarik Himdi, former Deputy Supervisor of the Hajj Statistical Unit of the Ministry of Hajj. “This year’s total number of pilgrims was approximately two million, some 200,000 more than in 2002. There is, therefore, great demand for more housing units in Makkah and Madinah.”
The towers will be constructed just yards away from the Holy Mosque, in front of the mosque’s landmark, King Abdul Aziz Gate. The project will comprise a five-star hotel, a four-tower residential complex, a shopping mall, and parking for 2,000 vehicles. The four residential towers will have 27 to 31 floors, providing 4,668 residential units, accessed by over 100 elevators.
Source: SPA
