Abbas Sajwani leads revival of Dubai’s long-abandoned ‘Big Ben’ tower
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Dubai’s iconic yet long-abandoned “Big Ben” tower on Sheikh Zayed Road is set for a major transformation, with Abbas Sajwani, son of DAMAC Properties founder Hussain Sajwani, spearheading its revival through his company AHS Properties.
The 26-year-old entrepreneur acquired the 328-meter-tall commercial tower for $120 million from the Commercial Bank of Dubai, marking one of the most high-profile redevelopment deals on Sheikh Zayed Road in recent years. The building will be rebranded as AHS Tower, signalling a fresh chapter for the once-stalled landmark.
As part of the redevelopment, the tower’s distinctive clock-face design, which earned it the “Big Ben” nickname, will be removed. It will be replaced with a contemporary all-glass façade, aligning the structure with modern Grade A commercial standards.
The 69-story AHS Tower will offer premium office space aimed at meeting strong demand in Dubai’s commercial real estate market. Planned features include 17 express elevators, over 500 parking spaces, and dedicated floors for private spas and fitness facilities, positioning the building as a high-end business destination.
Despite being under renovation, the project has already seen a strong market response. Around 95% of the units have been sold or pre-leased, generating approximately $600 million in sales, underlining renewed investor confidence in the redevelopment.
The project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026, bringing new life to a structure that has stood vacant for more than a decade.
Originally known as Al Yaqoub Tower, the building was completed in 2013 but remained unused due to prolonged financial and legal disputes between the previous owner and the Commercial Bank of Dubai. Its revival marks the end of one of Sheikh Zayed Road’s most visible unfinished projects.
With AHS Tower, Abbas Sajwani is positioning himself as a key player in Dubai’s luxury and commercial real estate landscape, turning a long-dormant skyscraper into one of the city’s most sought-after business addresses.
