It’s weird to think that just two decades ago, Dubai was worlds away from the futuristic global capital that we know today.

Then Simon Crispe, Atkins’ managing director in the Middle East at the time, was asked to build something in the United Arab Emirates that would rival some of the world’s most famous landmarks.

In 1999, the hotel Burj al Arab (Arabian Tower) opened its doors for the first time, and quickly became a byword for the height of luxury, from its palatial suites to rare sharks housed in the aquarium.

According to CNN, it also has the “world’s most famous helipad”.

Suspended 212 meters [sic] above sea level, the hotel’s helipad juts out precariously from the distinctive sail shape of the building.

“The main challenge was ensuring that the helipad was structurally sound and supported the overall architecture of the hotel,” says the Burj al Arab’s managing director Anthony Costa. The 24-meter wide helipad can accommodate a maximum weight of 7.5 tons, he says.

Guests can choose to be picked up from the airport in a Rolls-Royce, or take advantage of a helicopter transfer service, but the helipad is better known for more dangerous pursuits.

Roger Federer got the ball rolling in 2005 when he played an exhibition match with Andre Agassi on a court created for the occasion and filmed by helicopter. The Swiss would return in 2012 with rival Novak Djokovic.

The helipad has also been made over as a golf course to allow Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy to tee off over the Persian Gulf.

In 2017, a ring was constructed for British boxer Anthony Joshua to take part in a sparring session.

Costa says the most challenging stunt to date came in 2013, when a Formula 1 racing car was airlifted onto the helipad to allow David Coulthard to spin “doughnuts” on a specially-created surface. Atkins engineers were brought in again to ensure the stunt could proceed safely.

You can video of that here:

While the stunts made the hotel and the helipad famous, there are other ways to enjoy it.

Since 2014, the helipad has been available for weddings designed by a specialist “wedding architect” with a starting price of $55,000, although some ceremonies have reportedly run into millions of dollars.

The location is also hired out for private parties with bespoke trimmings.

20 years ago, the hotel was designed to put Dubai on the map, and the helipad certainly helped get it there.

[source:cnn]