Gulf Construction Online - $1.6bn Bluewaters Island project progressing well

UAE Focus

Bluewaters Island ... set to become one of the world’s biggest tourism hotspots.

$1.6bn Bluewaters Island project progressing well

01 April 2018

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, last month visited Bluewaters Island, a new man-made island in Dubai, and reviewed the progress of the Dh6-billion ($1.633 billion) project.

The project, being developed by Meraas off the coast of the Jumeirah Beach Residence opposite The Beach, includes residential, retail, dining, hospitality, leisure and entertainment facilities, said a Wam news agency report.

Group chairman of Meraas Abdulla Al Habbai briefed Sheikh Mohammed on the progress of the project which seeks to become one of the world’s biggest tourism hotspots, in the process enhancing Dubai’s profile as a global tourism hub in line with the Dubai Tourism Vision 2020.

Sheikh Mohammed was also briefed on the various phases of the projects developed over the past four years. Meraas is working with more than 1,500 local and international companies to bring this world-class tourism destination to life.

During the visit, he also reviewed the hotel projects being developed at Bluewaters Island, including one which features 178 rooms and 96 serviced apartments, and another which comprises 301 rooms and 119 serviced apartments. Both hotels will have an array of amenities and offer direct access to a 450-m private beach.

The centrepiece of the Bluewaters project is ‘Ain Dubai’, the world’s largest and tallest observation wheel which, with a height of over 210 m, offers spectacular 360-degree views of Dubai’s spectacular coastline. Since the completion of the ‘Ain Dubai’ wheel rim, it has already become a prominent feature of the city’s skyline.

Meraas revealed it will create a new attraction on Bluewaters that will enrich the tourism offering of the destination. One of the legs of ‘Ain Dubai’ will feature the world’s highest rope climbing platform with a height of over 150 m.

Bluewaters Island offers 10 apartment buildings with a total of 700 residential units offering stunning views. To facilitate access to Bluewaters Island, Meraas has collaborated with government authorities to create direct road links from Sheikh Zayed Road to Bluewaters. These road links are being constructed by the Road and Transport Authority (RTA).

Bluewaters will also operate a Group Rapid Transit service offering passengers a unique travel experience via a driverless vehicle system that connects the island to Ibn Battuta Metro Station. There will also be a 265-m pedestrian bridge linking the island to The Beach.