Dubai’s iconic Toyota Building on Sheikh Zayed Road is being cleared ahead of its planned demolition, with around 70% of tenants already evicted. The move follows action against overcrowded apartments and illegally partitioned accommodation, according to the building’s management.
A representative of Nasser Rashid Lootah Group, which manages the property, said authorities directed the building management to evict residents from overcrowded apartments. Some partitioned flats reportedly housed up to 15 people.
The eviction started with those residing in partitioned rooms. Nonetheless, the exercise eventually included other tenants apart from the occupants of the partitioned units such as those in company houses. A former tenant, quoted by Khaleej Times, stated that at first, the tenants thought that only the partitions would be removed, but they were also told to vacate the place.
Dubai Municipality is taking action against illegal partitions across residential properties. Such alterations can violate building regulations and create serious safety concerns. Authorities have warned that overcrowding and unauthorised partitions can increase fire risks and make it harder for residents to evacuate quickly during emergencies.
The building’s management has confirmed that the property is set to be demolished. However, it has not provided a specific timeline for the demolition.
The clearance marks a major change for one of the older residential structures on Sheikh Zayed Road. Once known for offering relatively affordable accommodation in a central location, the building now faces the end of its long association with Dubai’s rapidly transformed skyline.
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