Gulf Construction Online - Meraas to develop $2.7bn leisure destination in Dubai

UAE Focus

Blueprint of the theme park.

Meraas to develop $2.7bn leisure destination in Dubai

01 January 2013

Dubai-based master developer Meraas Holding is to develop a Dh10-billion ($2.7 billion) destination that will focus on delivering a multi-faceted leisure and entertainment (L & E) experience to residents and tourists of Dubai.

The project will be located at Jebel Ali and will feature five distinct theme parks based on movies, animals and fun characters that will appeal to all age groups.

Dubai Adventure Studios, the first phase of the development, plans for which were announced by Meraas in December 2011, will anchor the new destination. Set to host popular Hollywood brands, the adventure studios will also showcase a range of adrenalin-challenging rides and attractions.

A theme park that leverages the immense global appeal of Indian cinema through a component named as Bollywood Parks will form another exciting dimension of this destination. Meraas has partnered with several major film studios in Mumbai, India, for leveraging content, while a large theatre within Bollywood Parks is expected to showcase Broadway-style musicals to enrich Dubai’s annual entertainment calendar.

The water and marine lifepark, on its part, will additionally prove a definitive aspect of the development. Vying with global developments of its kind, the park will showcase aquatic life, animal encounters and live shows, besides featuring cutting-edge rides and attractions.

Meanwhile, a first-of-its-kind children’s theme park will cater to the needs of toddlers, preschoolers and primary school children. The night safari will innovatively showcase the many adventures of the wild desert. The theme parks will be connected by a vibrant district featuring retail and dining offerings that provide an exceptional lifestyle component to Dubai’s latest L&E destination.

The first component of this destination is expected to be completed by 2014.

Abdulla Ahmed Mohammed Al Habbai, chairman of Meraas Holding, said: “Meraas has been working with several industry experts to bring together a powerful mix of components that fulfil the need for a pure entertainment-based destination. The new initiative comes in response to Dubai’s status as a top global touristic destination which will contribute to the growth of the economy.

Amid optimistic projections for Dubai’s tourism sector, “we expect the comprehensive offering to set a new benchmark within the leisure and entertainment industry, he added.”