The Index

The Index is an 80-storey skyscraper located in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) area of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

It reaches a height of 328 meters (1,076 feet), making it one of the tallest buildings in Dubai. Construction began in November 2005 and was completed in October 2010, with the tower officially opening in December 2010. Designed by the renowned architecture firm Foster + Partners, the building features a unique environmental strategy that considers Dubai's harsh desert climate, aiming to reduce solar heat gain and thus lower energy consumption for air conditioning.

The tower is oriented exactly along the east-west axis, with large concrete cores on the east and west sides that shield the interior from the low-angle sun in the morning and evening, while the south facade is equipped with extensive sun shades to minimize heat intake from the midday sun.

The Index's 80 floors are divided into service floors (first four floors), office spaces (5th to 29th floors), and residential units (31st to 77th floors). The uppermost floors consist of luxury penthouses, with duplex penthouses on the 73rd and 75th floors, and triplex penthouses from the 77th to the 80th floor.

The building houses 520 residential units, including a variety of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, offering sophisticated living spaces with floor-to-ceiling windows and large balconies that provide panoramic views of Dubai’s skyline, including landmarks like the Burj Khalifa and Emirates Towers. Amenities in the building include security services, maintenance, elevators, parking, swimming pools, a gymnasium, steam and sauna rooms, and retail spaces, emphasizing a comprehensive and luxurious lifestyle.

Developed by Union Properties, The Index has been recognized for its architectural excellence, earning the "Best Tall Building Middle East & Africa" award by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat in 2011.

Structurally, the building features a double portal concrete frame which provides high stability, large transfer structures at mid-height, prestressed concrete floors, and reinforced foundations suited to the local soil and water table conditions. This thoughtful structural engineering supports both the building’s residential and commercial functions while maintaining aesthetic appeal and environmental efficiency.

The Index stands as a significant architectural and engineering achievement in Dubai’s skyline, symbolizing modern urban luxury combined with sustainable design principles.