When it was announced in March 2014 that Doha’s Sheraton would be closing for renovations, some suspected that yet another glass shrouded skyscraper would be added to the Qatari capital’s skyline. Nothing could be further from the truth.
This unique building, famous for its pyramid shape that houses a large atrium inside, was designed in the 70s by the prolific architect William Pereira, Frank Gehry’s professor and designer of the Transamerica building in San Francisco. The so called, “Pyramid of the Gulf”, was the first to be built in Doha’s New District and is now iconic of Qatar’s impressive development. From large international summits to royal weddings, Doha’s Sheraton has been at the very heart of great occasions throughout the history of the young emirate.
Although dwarfed by the modern buildings that have risen in the capital, it is still respected by urban planners, thanks to a wide strip that surrounds it, dedicated to landscaping, parking and recreation. Seen from the sea or from the maritime promenade, (Corniche), it continues to be a protagonist in the city’s image.
This is why the hotel owners, Katara Hospitality, commissioned the difficult task of modernising the Sheraton Hotel and Convention Centre to one of the best constructors in the Middle East, Urbacon Trading and Contracting Company (UCC). Its mission: to restore the original appearance of when it opened in 1982 and provide it with 21st century technology, within an incredible period of just 7 months.
You can see what they accomplished in this video.