Place · United Arab Emirates
The history of Dubai
Assembled from 2 dug tiles · 23 sourced records · 1959–now · last reviewed 3 November 2026
Dubai's record here runs from a desert tower site to an airport curb built for the jet age. Financial Center Street rose with the Burj Khalifa, built on former desert and military land between 2004 and 2010; Dubai International Airport's Terminal 3, opened 2008, has seen both survival and loss just metres from its departures road.
These are the individual spots Strata has dug in Dubai — not a guide to the town, but a record of what happened on particular ground.
Digs in Dubai
The world's tallest buildingYou're standing in the shadow of the Burj Khalifa, a skyscraper that reaches higher than any building on Earth. Financial Center Street
2004–2024 The departures road at Terminal 3
You're walking the departures curb at Dubai International Airport, outside the world's largest airport terminal. Dubai International Airport Departures
1959–now
Dubai in layers
uncertain
Dubai records show Financial Center Road was renamed from the earlier Doha Street, though it remains unclear if both names are still in use or when the change occurred. Dubai FAQs – List of road and street names in Dubai
Dubai International Airport site
In 1959, work began on Dubai International Airport across a vast expanse of wasteland about 4 kilometers from the edge of Dubai city at that time. Dubai Airports – Chronological History
Dubai International Airport
On September 30, 1960, Dubai International Airport opened with a compacted-sand runway and a small terminal building able to handle aircraft up to the size of a DC-3. Dubai Airports – Chronological History
Dubai International Airport
On June 12, 1972, an Indian Airlines Hawker Siddeley 748 crashed during approach to Dubai International Airport, killing 112 people. Wikipedia
2004-2010
Between 2004 and 2010, construction workers died during the six-year build, though the exact toll is disputed—official figures cite one death, while other sources report up to four. Construction Week Online
2007
Three construction workers died when a crane collapsed on an adjacent site during the building boom, with at least five others injured. Construction Dive
2008
The largest shopping mall in Dubai opened in 2008 as part of the Downtown development, connected to the Burj Khalifa and housing over 1,200 shops. Wikipedia
2008
Opened in 2008, the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo became the largest aquarium in Dubai and one of the world's largest, housed within the mall adjacent to Burj Khalifa. Wikipedia
2008
A choreographed fountain system opened on the 12-hectare Burj Khalifa Lake at the center of Downtown Dubai, becoming an icon of the development. Wikipedia
Dubai International Airport Terminal 3
On October 14, 2008, Terminal 3 opened at Dubai International Airport, designed to handle 35 million passengers annually and featuring advanced automation systems. Wikipedia
2009
The Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station on the Red Line opened in 2009 as one of the busiest rapid transit stations in Dubai. Wikipedia
Airport Terminal 1 Dubai Metro station
On September 9, 2009, the Airport Terminal 1 station on the Dubai Metro Red Line opened, providing rapid transit to the airport terminal. Wikipedia
2010
The world's tallest building rose 828 meters over six years of construction, completed in 2010 at the center of the Downtown Dubai development. Wikipedia
30 November 2010
Two Indian construction workers, aged 24 and 27, fell from the 27th floor while installing glass in a building adjacent to the Burj Khalifa when their cradle experienced mechanical failure. The National (Dubai)
2010
A Michelin-starred Italian restaurant opened in the Burj Khalifa under the direction of chef Giovanni Papi. Wikipedia
2010
A restaurant opened on the 122nd floor at 441.3 meters, making it one of the world's highest restaurants in the building's observation levels. Wikipedia
Dubai International Airport
On May 30, 2013, the Automated People Mover connecting Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport began service, eliminating the need for shuttle buses. Heritage record
2014
A 2,000-seat performing arts center opened in Downtown Dubai in 2014 as part of the Opera District development by Emaar Properties. Wikipedia
Dubai International Airport
On August 3, 2016, an Emirates Boeing 777 departing Dubai International Airport caught fire and crashed during takeoff, killing all 300 people aboard. Wikidata
2024
A school bus caught fire in front of Dubai Mall on Financial Centre Street on Saturday afternoon; firefighters from Zabeel station responded to the emergency call. Gulf News
Dubai International Airport departures concourse
On February 28, 2026, a drone strike caused minor damage to the departures concourse at Dubai International Airport, injuring four staff members. Gulf News
Dubai International Airport vicinity
In March 2026, two drones fell in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport, injuring four people including nationals from Ghana, Bangladesh, and India. Gulf News
Questions about Dubai
What is Dubai known for historically?
Among the places recorded here, Dubai is known for the Burj Khalifa, the 828-metre tower on Financial Center Street that became the world's tallest building on completion in 2010, and for Dubai International Airport's Terminal 3, built solely for Emirates and the largest airport terminal on Earth when it opened in 2008.
What happened at Dubai International Airport in 2016?
On 3 August 2016, Emirates Flight 521 crash-landed after arriving from Thiruvananthapuram, roughly 930 metres from the Terminal 3 departures curb. All 300 people aboard survived, though firefighter Jassim Issa Al Baloushi died while fighting the resulting blaze.
What was on the site of the Burj Khalifa before it was built?
The land was former desert and military ground before construction of the Burj Khalifa began in 2004, running through to the tower's completion in 2010.
Were there deaths during the construction of the Burj Khalifa?
Yes. Workers died during the 2004-2010 construction period, including a crane collapse near the site in 2007 and a fall by workers from the 27th floor on 30 November 2010.
What opened alongside the Burj Khalifa?
Downtown Dubai grew up around the tower, with Dubai Mall, the Dubai Aquarium and the Dubai Fountain system all opening in 2008, and the Dubai Metro Red Line adding a station at Burj Khalifa in 2009. Dubai Opera followed in 2014, and the tower's own Armani Ristorante and At.mosphere restaurant, on its 122nd floor, both opened in 2010.
What else has happened on Financial Center Street more recently?
In 2024, a school bus caught fire on Financial Center Street, the road that runs past the Burj Khalifa and is thought to take its name from the former Doha Street.