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19 March 2024

World's largest aquarium: Palm Deira

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By Parag Deulgaonkar

Four islands already built by Dubai-based Nakheel on Palm Deira project will be used to launch a new mixed-use development.

Nakheel will build a 250-room hotel with one the islands being home to one of the world’s largest aquariums.

The Deira project, covering 1600 hectares, will be a waterfront destination, adding over 40 kilometres, including 21 kilometres of beachfront, to Dubai’s existing coastline. The cost of the project was not disclosed.

“This project will contribute significantly to the Government of Dubai’s tourism strategy. Nakheel intends to offer special payment plans and incentives for hotels to develop on these new islands,” Nakheel Chairman Ali Rashid Lootah said in a statement.

Three hectares have been dedicated to hotels and resorts and 424 hectares for mixed-use developments.

Nakheel will be developing whole of the south island (called: Island A), building a creek side destination which will be accessible by road bridges or abras running to and from the mainland.

A night market designed in the style of a Arabic souk will be built, having over 1,400 retail units and restaurants with a number of anchor stores.

There will be an amphitheatre with a capacity 30,000 people; a creek marina to accommodate large yachts and a range of additional marinas offering mooring facilities directly outside residences. The island will also have a number of waterfront plots for hotels, resorts and serviced apartments.

The three remaining islands will also feature hotels, resorts and residential, commercial and retail units. Nakheel will master plan and complete infrastructure work ready for third party development on each island, it said.

The Boardwalk at Palm Jumeirah

Nakheel will makeover the 11 kilometre crescent that protects Palm Jumeirah into a tourist destination.  The Palm Jumeirah Boardwalk will run the entire length of the crescent, with a pier, stretching 100 metres into the Arabian Gulf, at either end.

The developer will create the Boardwalk by building over the rocks of the Palm’s breakwater. The Boardwalk will be six metres wide and more than double the width of the existing crescent path.  There will be more than 20 concessions offering refreshments and souvenirs throughout its 11km length.

West Beach Development, Palm Jumeirah

Nakheel’s new West Beach at Palm Jumeirah will stretch for 1.5 km along the Palm’s western trunk, providing another new destination for the Palm’s residents and visitors.

A shaded park and promenade, with retail kiosks and amenities such as children’s play areas, will run the entire length West Beach.

There will also be an exclusive high-end beach club facility featuring a low-rise, single-storey complex of 14 waterfront restaurants, outdoor seating deck, lounge, gym, swimming pool and party terrace.  West Beach will also have parking for around 340 cars and nine buses.

Serious interest and demand as salesmen are swamped with inquiries

Massive crowds have almost swamped exhibitors at Cityscape Global, which opened in Dubai today.

PNC Menon, Group Chairman, Sobha Group, joint developers of Mohammen Bin Rashid City District One, told Emirates 24|7: "The Dubai Real Estate marke is stable and there are ample opportunities for everyone. People from the Sub-Continent, Russia and China are looking to invest here.

"Though we can't say of prices will rise, they will remain stable."

“It is almost like the old days when lines used to form for booking a home or an apartment in Dubai,” a visitor told Emirates 24|7.

“I have been fighting through the crowds to get to one of the stalls. Every salesman here is busy and there is a queue of prospective investors waiting for their turn,” said Mohammed Saif.

Saif is at Cityscape to shop for a home.

Ravi Chandran, another visitor, said he has been a regular visitor at Cityscape since the past several years.

“It is the first time since many years that I am seeing this kind of a massive crowd – and they are here not just to ogle at properties – there is serious interest,” he added.

Mohammed Ashraf, a salesperson at one of the stands said there is a huge demand.

“There are a lot of buyers. This is genuine demand. People are expecting Dubai to be on the verge of another boom in property and are gearing up to get in early and ride the wave.

“Dubai is bidding to host the World Expo 2020 and is the front-runner. There is a general feeling of optimism which is translating into genuine demand,” he added.

Ashraf expected a spurt in sales by the time Cityscape comes to an end.