Dubai: The iconic Clock Tower on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai is beginning to lose the features that gave it its name, as the old crown of the building is being removed to make way for a new architectural design that will relaunch it as a modern office destination under the name "AHS Tower," according to information obtained from AHS Properties.The company revealed a paradox related to the building's history: despite its widespread popularity as the Clock Tower or ‘Big Ben’, the clock was never actually installed. The old design simply allocated space for the clock face within the tower's crown.This crown is currently being removed to pave the way for a new exterior design, a move that will transform the building's distinctive character on Sheikh Zayed Road and give it a contemporary architectural identity after it remained empty for nearly 10 years before AHS Properties acquired it. The new exterior design is the work of renowned architect Shawn Killa, the designer of the Museum of the Future, in a new collaboration with AHS Properties to reshape one of the prominent buildings on Sheikh Zayed Road.The redesign of the building, particularly the removal of the crown, presents a significant engineering and logistical challenge, given the tower's location directly adjacent to a Metro station and on one of Dubai's most vital thoroughfares. The company has confirmed that the work is being carried out in accordance with safety and logistical planning standards that take into account traffic flow, the proximity of the Metro station, and the site's characteristics.AHS Tower marks the company's first foray into the commercial real estate sector, following its established presence in Dubai's ultra-luxury residential market. This expansion into the office sector represents a significant step forward. The project will feature Grade A offices, two full floors of facilities and services, winter gardens, indoor green spaces, health and wellness facilities, social hubs, and Sky Galleries on the upper levels.According to the company, the spaces are designed to seamlessly integrate work, meetings, relaxation, wellness, and social interaction, transforming the office from a traditional functional space into a comprehensive work environment. The tower enjoys a strategic location on Sheikh Zayed Road, near the Dubai International Financial Centre, the Museum of the Future, and Downtown Dubai, and is directly adjacent to a Metro station. AHS Properties had previously announced the sale of all units in its first office project, while Bloomberg reports indicate that the company acquired the tower in 2024 for approximately $120 million (Dh441 million), and that sales of commercial units exceeded $700 million (Dh2.57 billion). The ongoing transformation marks a new chapter for the building, which had remained empty for years; from a form associated in the minds of Dubai residents with the ‘Clock Tower’ or ‘Big Ben’ tower, even though the clock itself was never installed, to a new office tower with a distinct identity on Sheikh Zayed Road.
