Sheikh Saeed al-Maktoum's House, Dubai

Located on the Bur side of Dubai Creek, you shouldn’t miss visiting the home of one of Dubai’s most loved and respected rulers.

The building was constructed in 1894 and is a marvel of Islamic architecture with its high vaulted ceilings, teak doors, architraves, lattice screens and its 4 wind towers. Built around a central courtyard, this lovely coral and plaster house has a large meeting room on the ground floor, flanked by living rooms, storerooms and kitchen. On the upper floor, the numerous bedrooms have balconies with a commanding view out over the creek and the sea.

Today the building is a museum where you will find photos and lithographs detailing life along the Creek between 1940 and 1960, featuring the various souks and several photos of the Sheik and his family. There is a very good coin collection and a wonderful exhibition about pearl-diving.

During Sheik Saeed’s rule the pearl trade was the mainstay of the economy, but during the 1930s two world factors caused its decline. First, the Great Depression in the United States followed by a general slump in the world market and second, Japan started exporting cultured pearls, which were of higher quality and cheaper than natural pearls.

This might have led to an economic crisis in Dubai, but the sheik was a far-thinking man and he had the small port at the mouth of Dubai Creek enlarged and renovated and invited trade from India and Iran, setting up various souks along the Creek and thus making Dubai an important trading center in the Middle East.

Tip:
Don't miss the room that has photos of al-Maktoum's House prior to the restoration efforts. It is amazing to see how much work went into the reconstruction.