Dubai's 1st project for 2017: Dubai Harbour
Dubai’s first major project of 2017, the development of Dubai Harbour, was announced by Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum recently. The finished harbour will feature the Middle East’s largest marina, with space for 1,400 vessels; a cruise ship port; the area’s largest shopping mall; restaurants; hotels and residential buildings; and Dubai Lighthouse, a luxury hotel that will transform into a 135 metre high screen featuring projections and light shows.
The project will be managed by Dubai’s leading development company, Meraas. Spread over 20 million square feet , the project will be located in King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street, the plot of land between Jumeirah Beach and Palm Jumeirah. The project will be worked on in phases and will take four years to complete from the start date, which is yet to be announced.
Meraas will work closely with a variety of Dubai government offices, including the Road and Transport Authority, to ensure modern and technologically-advanced infrastructure connecting the harbour to the surrounding areas, with multi-mode transport systems, including water transport stations, three helipads, and jogging and cycling tracks leading to The Palm.
The new development will integrate Skydive Dubai, Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) and Logo Island, creating one huge community. Sheikh Mohammed believes the area will play a huge part in the city’s tourism industry. He said, “Dubai Harbour creates a venue for new investments that support our vision for this important sector and promises to further accelerate the expansion of the tourism industry in the UAE, which is already growing rapidly. I am confident that the project will have a highly positive impact on our entire region’s tourism sector.”
The Harbour will play a vital role in attracting the major cruise companies to the region, with a new cruise ship port and terminal to accomodate 6,000 passengers. The Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) estimates a total 25.3 million passengers will sail around the world in 2017, with Dubai expected to welcome 650,000 maritime travellers.
There will be a huge residential offering, including a number of hotels, waterfront villas and houses. There will also be a wide variety of leisure opportunities, including restaurants, cafes, retail outlets and a dedicated events arena.