Dubai’s Latest Mega Project Looks Spectacular

By Gail Kalinoski

Dubai—A 1,400 berth marina—the largest in the Middle East and North Africa region—and a giant lighthouse will be among the major focal points of Dubai’s latest mega project, a 20 million-square-foot luxury waterfront development to be called Dubai Harbour.

Dubai Harbour Lighthouse

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum unveiled the master plan for the development, noting that it “represents a unique and innovative new addition to the region’s tourism landscape.” He did not release construction estimates.

The project will be located on King Salman bin Abudalaziz Al Saud Street between Jumeirah Beach Residence and Palm Jumeirah, also known as Mina Al Seyahi, and will be developed by Meraas Holding. It will be developed in phases and take about four years to complete once ground is broken.

In addition to the marina, which will increase Dubai’s yacht capacity by 50 percent and be able to handle large yachts, the development will include a cruise ship port and terminal; 3.5 million-square-foot shopping mall; events arena; luxury rental buildings; hotels, offices; retail stores; restaurants and cafes and the Dubai Lighthouse. The Dubai Lighthouse will be about 443 feet tall and include a luxury hotel and observation deck. The structure will have a smooth façade that will be used as a gigantic screen for high-resolution projections and light shows. The cruise ship terminal will be about 150,000 square feet to accommodate 6,000 passengers at a time.

Dubai Harbour

The master plan for Dubai Harbour integrates Skydive Dubai, Dubai International Marine Club and Logo Island into a single community. It will also create synergies with some of Dubai’s other projects in the area, including Palm Jumeirah and the upcoming Bluewaters Island. Visitors will be able to access Dubai Harbor from a bridge, a monorail system or pedestrian bridge. There will also be three helipads and various water stations to handle water transportation.

“The project demonstrates our approach of thinking differently to create new opportunities that stimulate economic activity in this area,” Abdulla Al Habbai, group chairman of Meraas, said in a prepared statement. “This project will develop a waterfront destination that will stimulate fresh growth in the tourism sector.”

This latest megaproject announcement comes about three months after Mohammed revealed a joint venture between Emaar Properties and Dubai Holding to develop The Tower at Dubai Creek Harbor, another waterfront project that will have the largest skyscraper in the world, topping Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, currently the record holder at 2,217 feet tall. The new tower, estimated at $1 billion, is expected to be 328 feet taller and be completed by 2020. It will also have an observation deck.

Also in the same area of Dubai is the Cayan Tower, a 75-story residential tower that is 1,017 feet tall and known for its spiral construction. The tower, which opened in 2013, cost about $272 million and was designed by Skidmore Owings and Merrill, which also designed the Burj Khalifa.