Torch Tower Dubai Marina: Location, Flats & Reviews

The Marina Torch is a tall home tower in Dubai Marina. It rises 352 metres and opened in 2011. At that time, it was the tallest home tower in the world. Today, people know it for its height, Marina location, homes, and fire history. If you plan to visit Dubai, check your Dubai visitor visa or entry status first.

This guide covers the main building facts, location, homes, shared spaces, fire events, travel options, nearby places, and useful checks for visitors, buyers, and renters.

What Is The Marina Torch?

The tower is a large home building in Dubai Marina. You may also see the names The Torch, Torch Tower, or Torch Tower Dubai Marina. Select Group built the project, and Khatib & Alami worked on the design.

The tower was finished in 2011 and became a major Dubai record holder. Its top rises above the main body and gives it a torch-like shape. Taller home towers came later, but The Torch is still easy to spot on the Marina skyline.

The Marina Torch Quick Facts

The two floor counts are not a simple error. Tall-building groups and project owners can count floors in different ways. CTBUH gives a technical count, while Select Group uses its own project wording. Showing both helps avoid confusion.

Where Is The Marina Torch?

The tower is on King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street in Dubai Marina. It is close to the water, Marina Walk, shops, cafés, food spots, and other tall towers. This part of the Marina is busy, but it is also easy to explore without a car.

Dubai Tram Access

The Dubai Tram is one of the easiest ways to reach this side of the Marina. RTA lists Marina Towers and Mina Seyahi on this part of the line. The best stop depends on where you start and which way you want to walk.

The tram also links the Marina with JBR, Media City, and Al Sufouh. This makes it useful for visitors who want to see more than one area in the same day.

Dubai Metro Access

The Red Line serves the wider Dubai Marina area. Sobha Realty and DMCC are the main Metro stops for Marina trips. From there, you can change to the tram, take a taxi, or walk.

If you are coming from Downtown Dubai, Metro plus Tram can be a simple choice. It may also save time when road traffic is heavy. 

Why Is The Marina Torch Famous?

The tower is well known for four main reasons. It held a world height record, stands out in the Marina skyline, remains popular with renters and buyers, and has a well-known fire history.

• Height: it was the tallest home tower in the world when it opened.
• Skyline: its height and crown make it easy to spot.
• Homes: Dubai Marina stays popular with renters and buyers.
• Fire history: three fires brought wide news coverage.

Tourists often care most about the skyline and area. Buyers and renters usually look more closely at the home, view, costs, shared spaces, and recent building records.

Apartments in The Marina Torch

The current Select Group page lists 682 homes. Property guides show 1-bed, 2-bed, and 3-bed homes, with some duplex units as well. Size and layout can change from one unit to another.

View direction also matters. Some high floors may face the sea or Marina, while other homes can face nearby towers or roads. Furniture and fit-out can also differ because owners may update their units over time.

What to Check Before You Rent or Buy

Do not judge the whole tower from one online listing. See the exact home you are thinking about and compare it with other options. Small details can make a big difference in daily life.

• Size: confirm the real unit area.
• View: check the actual balcony and window view.
• Floor: think about lifts, noise, and height.
• Furniture: confirm what stays with the home.
• Parking: check the space linked to the unit.
• Fees: review all current charges.
• Condition: inspect the home and shared halls.
• Safety: ask for recent building records if this matters to you.

Old rent or sale prices are not a good guide. Dubai Marina prices can move fast. Use a licensed broker or a current RERA-linked source for live market data.

Shared Facilities and Daily Life

Select Group lists a gym, pool, sauna, steam rooms, changing rooms, 24-hour security, concierge, and underground parking. These shared spaces add value for people who want a full Marina lifestyle.

The area outside the tower also has plenty to offer. Shops, food, taxis, Marina Walk, and the tram are all close. The trade-off is that the area can feel busy at night and on weekends.

The Marina Torch Fire History

The tower had three known fire events between 2015 and 2019. These events are part of its history, but the facts need care. Some old pages state possible causes as if they were proven.

2015 Fire

A major fire started early on 21 February 2015. Strong wind helped the flames move across the outside of the upper floors. Many residents left the tower, and a small number of people had minor injuries or smoke effects. No one died.

Dubai Police said the fire looked accidental while an inquiry was opened. Some later reports gave possible causes, but those should not be treated as final unless a clear official finding is available.

2017 Fire

A second large fire happened on 4 August 2017. The building was cleared, and Dubai Civil Defence brought the fire under control. Dubai Media Office said no injuries were reported.

News reports placed the start near the ninth floor. Early reports did not give a final cause, so the section should stay factual and avoid guesswork.

2019 Fire

A much smaller fire happened in January 2019. The National reported that it started in the fifth-floor sauna area. People left the building while crews dealt with it.

The fire was put out quickly. No injuries or wider damage were reported. The event was much smaller than the fires in 2015 and 2017.

What Does the Fire History Mean Now?

Old fire reports explain what happened in the past. They do not prove the tower’s safety level today. If you may rent or buy, ask for recent building and fire-system records that are available to you.

Speak with the building team or owners’ group if you need more detail. A blog cannot give a current safety certificate, so use recent records and official sources when safety affects your choice.

Best Time to See the Tower and Dubai Marina

There is no ticketed visit time because the tower is not a public attraction. You can see the outside from public parts of Dubai Marina at any time.

Morning is good for a quieter walk. Late afternoon and early evening are better for skyline photos. In summer, outdoor walks are easier early in the day or after sunset.

What Visitors Should Know Before Going

The tower is not a museum, hotel, or public viewing deck. Do not plan your day around entering the upper floors. Instead, combine the tower with Marina Walk, JBR, or another public place nearby.

If you are meeting a resident, ask about guest entry before you arrive. Security may need the resident to confirm your visit. For photos, stay in public areas and avoid blocking the private entrance.

Can Tourists Enter The Marina Torch?

The building is private. Visitors can see it from public streets and Marina paths, but access to home floors, the pool, and other resident areas is controlled.

If you are visiting someone who lives there, follow the guest rules. If not, the best way to enjoy the landmark is as part of a wider Marina walk.

Things to Do Near The Marina Torch

You do not need to enter the tower to enjoy the area. Dubai Marina has enough nearby places to turn a quick landmark stop into a half-day plan.

• Marina Walk: good for walking, food, and water views.
• JBR: offers beach access, shops, and outdoor dining.
• Dubai Marina Mall: useful for shopping and indoor time.
• Bluewaters: good for dining and an evening walk.
• Marine Club area: useful for yacht and Marina views.

For beach ideas, read our best beaches in Dubai guide.

How to Reach The Marina Torch

The easiest route depends on where you start. Tram and Metro work well for public transport users, while taxis and ride-hailing are better for direct travel.

• Tram: useful for Marina, JBR, Media City, and Al Sufouh.
• Metro: useful from other parts of Dubai.
• Taxi: simple and direct.
• Careem or Uber: useful for door-to-door travel.
• Walking: practical if you stay nearby.

Guest parking may be limited. If you do not have a confirmed space, the tram or a taxi can be easier.

A Simple Dubai Marina Visit Plan

Start with a walk near the water and view the tower from the public Marina area. Stop for coffee or food, then continue toward JBR if the weather is good.

Later, you can add the beach, Dubai Marina Mall, or Bluewaters. Use the tram if the walk feels too long. The main visitor value comes from the area around the tower rather than from entering the building.

Extra Checks Before an Apartment Viewing

Arrive a little early and look at the street, lobby, and entrance before you go upstairs. Check the lift wait and the state of shared halls. These details give you a better idea of daily life in the building.

Inside the home, test water pressure, cooling, doors, windows, and main fittings. Look for leaks or poor repair work. If the balcony is safe to use, listen for road and Marina noise and check the real view.

Ask what comes with the home. Do not assume furniture, parking, or storage is included. Buyers should also review current service charges and ownership papers with a licensed broker or adviser.

Tips for Buyers and Renters

Do not decide from tower-wide reviews alone. One home can be in very different condition from another. A direct visit is far more useful than a photo-only listing.

1. See the exact home. Check light, view, and noise.
2. Visit twice. Day and night can feel different.
3. Check all costs. Ask about rent, fees, deposits, and parking.
4. Ask about repairs. Learn how the building team handles issues.
5. Check recent safety records. Do not use old news as your only source.
6. Compare nearby towers. Dubai Marina has many choices.

Do You Need a Dubai Visa for Dubai Marina?

Dubai Marina has no special visa rule. You only need the right entry status for the UAE. Some passports get visa-free entry or visa on arrival, while others need a visa before travel.

Check your passport before you pay for a non-refundable flight. Our Dubai visa on arrival guide covers common entry routes, and you can also compare Dubai visa types.

Final The Marina Torch Checklist

• Use Select Group for the developer’s current project facts.
• Use CTBUH for technical height and floor data.
• Remember that the tower is private.
• Use RTA for current tram and Metro routes.
• Check live home prices instead of old averages.
• Check recent building records if safety matters to your choice.
• Check UAE entry rules before an overseas trip.

Last reviewed: 24 August 2026. Home prices, shared spaces, access rules, transport, and visa rules can change. Check live information before you make a booking or property decision.