Some residents of Dubai’s Marina Crown Tower recently turned to social media, sharing frustrations about being locked out after the building’s management introduced a new face-scanning access system.
Last week, an Instagram user reported that some residents were stuck outside for up to seven hours due to confusion among landlords, tenants, and management. Other residents, however, argued that the management gave ample notice before rolling out the system.
Roxana, a resident and apartment owner, explained that the management first introduced a car registration system linked to individual apartments, followed by the face-scanning system. “They started notifying people in May, and full implementation came in November to allow everyone time to register,” she said.
German expat A.B., also a resident, shared that only those without legal rental contracts had issues with the face ID registration. “If you have an Ejari contract, you can register. But people renting partitions or shared rooms without contracts can’t,” he explained.
The 51-story Marina Crown Tower, built by Emaar in 2006, includes luxury apartments and penthouses. The building’s common areas are managed by Stratum Owners Association, which has yet to respond publicly to the recent situation.
Overcrowding Problems
According to Roxana, overcrowding is a problem as some residents have sublet apartments, leading to illegal partitions and overcrowded rooms. “Some units house up to ten people, often with makeshift showers and bathrooms that lack proper waterproofing,” she noted. “There are serious safety concerns with no smoke detectors or active sprinklers in these units.”
Access Cards Cancelled
In June, the management canceled all access cards and transitioned entirely to facial recognition. Roxana welcomed the change, saying, “Now, I don’t need a card, and my face ID gets me anywhere in the building.” However, she noted that illegal tenants attempted to bypass the system by sneaking in with registered residents. In response, the management limited face access to specific floors.
A.B. praised the system, saying it could reduce apartment sharing. “The building is so crowded it feels like a dorm. I hope this change stops the illegal sharing.”
