Union House Heritage Site Named First on New National Register
Dubai’s historic Union House has just made history of its own. The UAE Ministry of Culture has named the Union House heritage site as the very first entry on the brand-new National Register of Modern Architectural Heritage.
For anyone who doesn’t know it, Union House is where the seven emirates came together to sign the agreement that formed the UAE in December 1971. It has stood as a quiet symbol of that moment ever since, tucked away from the glass towers that now define the city skyline.
By officially listing it, the Ministry is sending a clear message: modern buildings deserve the same protection as ancient forts and old souks. The register aims to safeguard structures built after the 1950s that carry cultural or historic weight, many of which are at risk of being overlooked or torn down.
More sites are expected to join the list in the coming months, as the UAE builds out a fuller picture of its recent architectural story alongside its ancient one.
