UAE: Dubai’s New Mega Project: “Marsa Al Arab“
Wild Wadi Waterpark will grow more than twice of its current size.
Dubai Holding, which is majority-owned by Sheik Mohammed Rashid Al Maktoum (Ruler of the Emirate), announced this past Sunday to realize a new mega project in the metropolis of Dubai: “Marsa Al Arab” is a state-of-the-art entertainment and luxury complex, which will be developed on a site of approx. 37 hectares (four million square feet) on two islands located on both sides of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah luxury hotel. For this purpose, 2.2 kilometers of beach frontage will be added.
One island will be dedicated to entertainment and family tourism, while the other one will comprise an exclusive luxury resort with 140 villas and a boutique hotel counting 2,400 rooms (operated by Jumeirah Group). To develop an attractive leisure offer, the existing Wild Wadi Waterpark will be relocated closer to the beach. Furthermore, it will grow more than twice of its current size to create room for more attractions and family rides. Also, Dubai Holding is planning a “Marine Park” edutainment center, providing knowledge about the sea’s rich flora and fauna. It will include a show theater with 1,000 seats to showcase various elements of marine live allowing its visitors to interact with exotic aquatic animals and fish. Another theater will be built to host the famous spectacles of Canadian company Cirque du Soleil, for an audience of up to 1,700 guests. Another planned attraction is the “Dubai Pearl Museum” featuring a historical collection of rare and ancient pearls from the region and worldwide. It will include a functional pearl farm in the adjoining sea, cultivating quality pearls.
A private yacht marina and a yacht club, a mixed-use convention center as well as large retail spaces on the site of the existing Wild Wadi Waterpark will complement the offer. Last but not least, the mega project, which will cost a total of 1.5 billion EUR (6.3 billion AED), includes 300 sea-front residential apartments. “Marsa Al Arab” will break ground next month and is scheduled to be completed by late 2020. (eap)
