Drive Wire: Dubai’s Iconic Burj Al Arab

The world is full of amazing hotels, but few are as iconic as the Burj Al Arab in Dubai. Architect Tom Wright and engineer Rick Gregory began construction on the hotel in 1994, building an artificial island offshore. Unlike the majority of skyscrapers, which utilize concrete bases, Wright and Gregory drove concrete pilings into the sand to keep the building upright. When all was said and done, the Burj Al Arab required 92,000 cubic yards of concrete and 9,000 tons of steel. The Burj Al Arab is the third tallest hotel in the world, but only offers 202 rooms due to each suite’s massive size. Some rooms are 8,400 square feet and as much as $18,000 a night. The Burj Al Arab is also home to spas, pools, nine restaurants and just about every other perk your pocket can handle.