Uptown — a charismatic skyscraper

Last week, I stopped by to photograph the tower I see every day when leaving Bluewaters Island. I'm talking about the sleek skyscraper across the road from Dubai Marina.

The 340-meter-tall skyscraper is the first element of the entire Uptown quarter, which consists of several towers, a couple of office structures, low-rise residential complexes, a shopping center, and a city plaza — which, by the way, is already under active construction and promised to open this year.

I first heard about this skyscraper from my friend Nikita, who has been living there for the past six months and, during one dinner, enthusiastically praised the style and amenities of the residential complex. I decided to drop by and see it with my own eyes.

The structure is stylish both outside and inside, though when you drive in, you need to make five full loops on the circular ramp because all entrances are elevated from ground level to the fifth floor.

The building has three entrances: one for the office block occupying the first 22 floors of the tower, a second for hotel guests in the middle section, and a third for branded residences on the upper 28 floors.

Prices for one-bedroom apartments start from $700,000, and for ready units, you can currently get an interest-free installment plan from the developer for two years if you make an immediate 60% down payment. One-bedroom apartments measure 75–100 square meters, while two-bedroom units start at 150 square meters and up.

The entire 33rd floor is dedicated to amenities for apartment residents: a fitness center with a yoga studio, a pool with a jacuzzi and massage rooms, a private cinema, a children's play area, and a lounge with a bar and billiards.

Residents can also enjoy all the amenities of the SO/ hotel. Incidentally, this brand will operate a hotel in Moscow at Poklonnaya Street, 9. The upper floors there also feature stylish apartments and penthouses.