Sheikh Obaid bin Thani House, Historic house and museum in Al Shindagha, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Sheikh Obaid bin Thani House is a two-storey residence in Al Shindagha, built in 1916 of sea stone, gypsum and mud, with 18 rooms and service facilities. Its beige-rendered facade has a projecting lower wall with two large planked wooden doors, an upper gallery of rectangular arches, and small windows framed by white panels with dark lattice patterns. It faces Dubai Creek and now serves as a museum.
The building was constructed in 1916 by Thani bin Jumaa Al Maktoum and reflects early residential architecture of Dubai. It underwent major restoration work from 1956 to 1961 to preserve its structural integrity.
The house displays traditional Emirati design features such as ceramic corner decorations, wooden doors, and distinctive window styles that show how local residents built their homes. These elements remain visible throughout and reveal the daily living practices of earlier generations.
The building sits north of Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum's house with views toward Dubai Creek. Visitors will notice the traditional construction keeps interior spaces naturally cool and shaded, which helps when exploring the rooms.
The house reveals how residential architecture evolved across different building periods through service facilities added at various times. These layers show how construction methods and living practices changed during early Dubai development.
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