The Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority and Al Serkal Advisory, has officially registered Dubai’s historic Union House as the first landmark on the newly established National Register of Modern Architectural Heritage. The milestone was marked by the unveiling of a commemorative plaque during a joint delegation visit by Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture, and His Excellency Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture.
The designation elevates the status of the Jumeirah located landmark, widely recognised as the birthplace of the United Arab Emirates, where the founding rulers of the emirates convened for various meetings before signing the declaration of the union and the formation of the UAE on 2 December 1971.
The National Register of Modern Architectural Heritage aims to document and safeguard historically, culturally, and architecturally significant twentieth-century sites across the country, ensuring their physical preservation for future generations.
During the ceremony, Her Highness Sheikha Latifa emphasised the landmark's unique role in the UAE's collective memory, and noted that the building reflects a legacy of unity and shared ambition.
Originally constructed in 1965 as the Guest Palace under the commission of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the building is celebrated for its mid-century design. Now fully restored to its 1971 appearance, Union House forms an integral part of the Etihad Museum complex on Jumeirah Road, open to residents and tourists seeking to understand the UAE's founding history.
Minister of Culture His Excellency Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi remarked that adding the site to the register ensures its sustainability as a living testimony to the country’s growth and foundational achievements.