Dubai unveils world's tallest metro station at 74 metres (VIDEO)
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill designs futuristic Emaar Properties Station on new Blue Line
DUBAI: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, has laid the foundation stone for the Dubai Metro Blue Line, a transformative infrastructure project designed to reshape the city's mobility landscape.
Spanning 30 km and linking 14 stations, the new line will support nine urban districts that are projected to host over one million residents by 2040 under the Dubai Urban Master Plan.
One of the most striking features of the project is the Emaar Properties Station, which at 74 metres, will be the tallest metro station in the world.
Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) – the American architectural firm behind the Burj Khalifa – the station symbolises Dubai’s ambition to remain a global beacon of innovation and urban excellence.
World’s tallest metro station
Standing at an elevation that dwarfs all other metro stations globally, the Emaar Properties Station will become a striking landmark.
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Iconic Emaar Properties Station, part of the Dubai Metro Blue Line @rta_dubai I @emaardubai pic.twitter.com/tRBsKOEL9o
Inspired by the Gateway concept, the station has been designed to integrate seamlessly into Dubai’s existing architectural identity, with a soaring facade and a central structure that maximises natural light. It covers 11,000 square metres and has a passenger handling capacity of 160,000 per day, with more than 70,000 daily users anticipated by 2040.
The station’s imposing height and modern aesthetic reflect Dubai’s wider goal to blend heritage with futuristic design. The building features bronze metal panels, Jura limestone, and granite flooring, alongside glass ceiling panels that invite sunlight into public spaces. Its interior finishes are crafted to evoke a sense of natural luxury, while also being built to last under the emirate’s demanding climatic conditions.
Dubai Metro Blue Line
The Dubai Metro Blue Line will connect Creek Station on the Green Line with Centrepoint Station on the Red Line, creating two corridors through densely populated and fast-growing zones such as Mirdif, Al Warqa, International City, Dubai Silicon Oasis, and Academic City. By 2040, the line is expected to serve 320,000 passengers daily, including over 50,000 university students.
The line includes five underground and nine elevated stations, with three major interchange points at Al Jaddaf, Al Rashidiya, and International City 1. It also features the largest underground interchange station in Dubai’s metro network, covering 44,000 square metres with a capacity of 350,000 passengers per day.
The Blue Line will also introduce a 1.3 km viaduct crossing over Dubai Creek – the first of its kind in the Dubai Metro system – and extend total rail coverage from 101 km to 131 km across 78 stations and 168 trains.
How will it transform travel?
The new line is a cornerstone of Dubai’s Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) approach, which aims to enable 80% of residents to access essential services within 20 minutes. Travel time on the Blue Line will range between 10 and 25 minutes, offering seamless access to Dubai International Airport and major residential and commercial areas.
Designed with sustainability at its core, the Blue Line is the first of its kind in the region to achieve Platinum green building certification. It includes public bus bays, e-scooter and bicycle racks, taxi stands, and facilities for People of Determination.
The construction of this ambitious project is projected to deliver Dh56.5 billion in benefits by 2040, aligning with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and reaffirming the emirate’s position as a global leader in sustainable urban development.
During the launch ceremony, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum also reviewed a gallery chronicling the original metro vision conceived by the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum. Rare images of His Highness visiting global capitals and using public transport in the UK were included, underlining how far Dubai’s public transport system has come.
Emaar has secured the naming rights to the landmark station for ten years from its official inauguration in 2029. Naming rights for other Blue Line stations will be announced in the next project phase.