Dubai's Sheraton Hotel as it used to be

By the early 1970s, Dubai Creek had become a base for manufacturing offshore structures, oil support industries and supply boat operations associated with Dubai's new and growing offshore oil industry. Building Dubai's iconic Sheraton on the Creek Hotel began in the mid 1970s amidst this industrial activity and on land reclaimed from the Creek.

The 255 room Sheraton Hotel Complex was designed as an advanced bio-climatic building by the Italian Architectural RomeGroup in association with Rader Mileto Associated, Rome. The Client was Almullah Enterprises of Saudi Arabia.

The complex provided both hotel facilities and serviced rental apartments. The hotel's unique position alongside Dubai's Creek made it popular both for visitors and residents.

The Sheraton Hotel opened in 1978. Visitors and Residents enjoyed a view across the Creek to a Dubaiside that had yet to be developed. They could see Dubai's World Trade Centre under construction in the far distance.

After the Sheraton Hotel's opening in 1978, Dubai Municipality began developing the reclaimed land adjacent to the hotel.

The photo was taken from the new Dubai Municipality Building under construction at the same time as Sheraton Hotel. This view shows Creekside car parks being built although Oil Supply Boats are still moored alongside the Creek.

Have Car Park! Will Park! In true Dubai Tradition! As soon as the Creekside Car Parks were completed they began to fill. Car Parking was free in 1978 but Dubai Municipality soon learned that Car Parking Pays!

Dubai's Sheraton Hotel on the Creek was among the first of Dubai's buildings that presented cutting edge architecture. The hotel was refurbished in 2002. Although Dubai's new hotels are bigger and more opulant, none enjoy the Sheraton's unique location. Stay at the Sheraton on the Creek and you can walk, or take an Abra, to all the major sites of Dubai as it used to be. Stay at the Sheraton and discover the real Dubai!

Despite today being dwarfed by many surrounding architectural wonders, Sheraton on the Creek retains it distinctive silhouette and appears as fresh and new as it did in 1976. Stay at the Sheraton and discover the real Dubai!