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Toyota Building, Rolex Tower: Even Google knows these UAE landmarks by unofficial names
From rooftop advertisements to supermarkets and car showrooms, private brands became unlikely UAE landmarks, and many of their unofficial names still survive today
- PUBLISHED: Sat 22 Aug 2026, 6:00 AM
Type 'Toyota Building Dubai' into Google and it knows exactly where you mean. However, Toyota Building is not actually the landmark's real name.
The landmark on Sheikh Zayed Road is officially called the Nasser Rashid Lootah Building. But for generations of UAE residents, the giant Toyota sign on its roof made it one of Dubai’s most recognisable landmarks. And it is far from the only example.
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Long before Google Maps, WhatsApp location pins, and GPS, residents gave directions using supermarkets, clothing stores, car showrooms and giant signs. Here are some of the UAE landmarks better known by the names residents gave them:
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Toyota Building: Nasser Rashid Lootah Building
Constructed in 1974, the 15-storey building became known as the Toyota Building after the famous rooftop sign was installed in 1981. The sign was removed in 2018 and returned in 2022. The building is now being vacated ahead of demolition, but its unofficial name is likely to live on much longer.
Lulu Centre, Karama: Al Waleed Building
What many Karama residents simply call Lulu Centre is actually Al Waleed Building. The supermarket became such a familiar landmark that the commercial name gradually became more useful to residents than the building’s official one.
Rolex Tower: Deira Twin Towers
The development overlooking Dubai Creek is officially the Deira Twin Towers, but many residents identify it as Rolex Tower because of the huge Rolex branding on the rooftop. Much like Toyota Building, an advertisement high above the city became a navigation point below.
Choithram Building: Deira Tower
Another Deira landmark commonly known through its tenant is Deira Tower, which many residents simply call the Choithram Building after the supermarket associated with the property.
Sana Fashions disappeared. Sana Signal didn't.
Sana Signal in Karama got its name from Sana Fashions, a clothing store that once operated from a building complex at the location. The old complex was later demolished and Al Shafar Park Tower now stands there, but the name Sana Signal continues to be used by long-time residents.
Car Museum Building: Al Serkal Building
The Al Serkal Building in Deira became known among residents as the Car Museum Building because of the private collection of cars housed there. Here too, what people associated with the property became more memorable than its official name.
Al Fardan Building: Sheikh Hamdan Building
In the Baniyas area of Deira, Sheikh Hamdan Building is another property many residents identify through a commercial name: Al Fardan Building.
When businesses gave their names to roundabouts
The habit extended beyond buildings. National Paints Roundabout became a familiar Sharjah landmark because of the company’s presence nearby, while Galadari Roundabout was associated with the Galadari Automobiles showroom.
Information online shows BMW Roundabout attributed to a BMW showroom and Mothercat Roundabout to the Mothercat company and building on Al Wahda Street. In Dubai, DNATA similarly became a widely used navigation landmark for the surrounding junction and area.
Abu Dhabi's Electra Street
Perhaps no example has endured quite like Electra Street. The road officially known as Sheikh Zayed The First Street is still widely called Electra Street. Long-time residents associate the nickname with the electrical and electronics businesses that once lined the road, and the unofficial name has survived for generations.
The map before Google Maps
Before digital maps and location pins, knowing the right landmark could be as useful as knowing the street name. A giant Toyota sign, a supermarket, a car showroom or a clothing store at a busy signal could tell someone exactly where to turn.
The UAE has changed dramatically since those days. Buildings have been demolished, businesses have moved and roads have been redesigned. But sometimes, the name is the last thing to leave.
SM Ayaz Zakir is a Senior Correspondent with a flair for extraordinary stories. His playground? Every corner of the UAE. He often ventures into remote corners of the country to capture compelling news and human interest stories.