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28 March 2024

275-metre water fountain in the offing

The new fountain will be a global water engineering marvel. (SUPPLIED) 

Published
By Joseph George

Plans for one of the world's tallest water fountains – featuring a vast light and sound show – were unveiled yesterday for the 30-acre Burj Dubai lake at Downtown Burj Dubai.

Mohamed Ali Alabbar, Chairman of developer Emaar, said the fountain would be an "iconic feature" and "global water-engineering marvel" to add to the Emirates' tourist attractions.

He said, once complete, it would attract as many as 10 million people annually.

At 900ft (275m) long – equivalent to more than two football fields – Dubai's new fountain will be about 25 per cent larger than The Fountains at Bellagio in Las Vegas.

"The water nozzles are powerful enough to shoot water sprays to heights of over 500 ft (150m) – equivalent to that of a 50-storey building," said Alabbar.

The mist itself is expected to go up to three kilometres, and with strong winds even further. The musical show will include Arabic, Indian and Western music and will be accompanied by light shows powered by more than 6,600 lights and 50 colour projectors to create a vibrant visual spectrum of more than 1,000 different water expressions.

The fountain is positioned next to Burj Dubai, the world's tallest building, and The Dubai Mall, one of the world's largest shopping and entertainment destinations. Inspired by The Fountains at The Bellagio in Las Vegas, Alabbar said he decided to create one in Dubai to add life to the area surrounding the high-rise towers.

"We just don't want to stop by building developments. We want to address the constant quest of where is the right way to live and it is indeed all about living. When we designed it we wanted a landmark development.

"We have a huge mall, an incredible gold souq, a great aquarium and along with the Burj lake we are putting life into the development," said Alabbar. "It will be a replication of what the ideal Arab city feels like," he added.

The construction work on the Dh800 million project has been awarded to Al Futtaim Carillion.


Top three

King Fahd's Fountain in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is considered as the world's tallest fountain at a height of 312m (1,023.62 ft). The Gateway Geyser located in the town of East St Louis, Illinois, is the world's second tallest fountain. Port Fountain, in Karachi, Pakistan, is the world's third tallest fountain.


Contest

Emaar Properties yesterday announced a cash prize of Dh100,000 to the winner of a competition to name the new fountain planned at the Downtown Burj Dubai. The competition will be open to all UAE residents and will be held from July 1 to September 15.

Individuals can suggest one name to be submitted online at emaar.com. The portal will have a dedicated web page for submissions, which will be operational by July 1.

The winner will be selected by a panel of judges. Mohamed Ali Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar, said: "I am keen that the name should reflect the true soul and heart of the city.

"Until a name is found we shall call it the Great Burj Dubai Fountain."