Watan-A report by The Guardian has reignited controversy over an unprecedented real estate project in Damascus: the proposed construction of a 45-story “Trump Tower”, with a projected cost between $100 and $200 million.
The project is led by UAE-based real estate firm Tiger Group, headed by Syrian-born businessman Walid Mohammad Al-Zoubi. News of the project first surfaced during discussions around President Donald Trump’s Middle East tour and coincided with his decision to lift U.S. sanctions on Syria.
The tower is reportedly designed to display the Trump name in gold at its peak, and if completed, would be among the tallest and most iconic buildings in Syria’s capital. According to Al-Zoubi, the initiative is a symbolic move meant to “show that Syria, after years of war, deserves a step toward peace and renewal.”
Trump Tower Plan in Damascus Sparks Backlash Over Luxury Amid Crisis
Despite the symbolism, the project is still awaiting official construction licenses and rights to use the “Trump” brand. The final height and location remain subject to change, based on urban planning approvals in Damascus.
The initiative is marketed as a beacon of Syria’s “rebirth” and an invitation to foreign investment, even as more than 90% of Syrians live below the poverty line, according to UN estimates. A promotional image provided by Al-Zoubi juxtaposes the gleaming virtual tower with an explosion over Damascus, captioned as “a transition from destruction to beauty.”
However, the backlash has been fierce. Human rights advocates and economists have condemned the project as a tone-deaf display of luxury amid nationwide hardship, where millions struggle in refugee camps and lack access to basic services such as electricity, clean water, and healthcare.
Critics argue the Trump Tower plan is emblematic of a government disconnected from its people’s suffering and focused on international optics rather than national reconstruction.
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