Gulf Construction Online - YEAR-ROUND WONDERLAND

Dubai Review

Artists' impressions of the Themed resort.

YEAR-ROUND WONDERLAND

01 April 2004

It’s the most ambitious development the tourism, leisure and entertainment world is set to see and will add a further dimension to Dubai’s status as a leading international holiday destination.

The Dh18-21 billion ($5 billion-$5.7 billion) Dubailand – a regional equivalent of Disneyland, but planned to be twice as big as the Florida icon – broke ground in October 2003 and has already garnered interest from international investors.
The project featuring six clusters – including Attractions and Experience World, Sports and Outdoor World, Eco Tourism World, Themed Leisure and Vacation World, Retail and Entertainment World and Downtown - will encompass over 45 main leisure, entertainment and tourist facilities and more than 200 sub-projects over a two billion sq ft area.
Located along the Emirates Ring Road next to Nad Al Sheba, Al Qouz and Al Basha, Dubailand will be easily accessible – being within 10 minutes from Dubai airport, 20 minutes from Sharjah and 60 minutes from Abu Dhabi.
The project, which comes after two years of intensive studies and research with the participation of international consultancy companies, has been planned and designed using leading-edge expertise across a spectrum of disciplines. It will be implemented in phases. The launch phase will extend from 2004 to 2006 and will include initial infrastructure such as major roadworks and the enabling of the provision of utilities and other services.
Phase I will include further infrastructure development and will extend from 2007 to 2010. The Government of Dubai will spend Dh2.6 billion ($709 million) in developing the first phase of the infrastructure.
Dubailand took its first step towards completion when Union Properties officially inaugurated the Dh400 million first phase of its Dubai Autodrome and Business Park within the mega development at the end of last month.
The autodrome will provide racing facilities approved by the FIA and FIM, and will have a fully-equipped media centre and control tower, along with a world-class 5.39 km Grade 1 Racetrack and 7,000 seat grandstand with VIP hospitality suites, according to the developer.
Another major constituents of the project – the Dh 1.7 billion Dubai Sports City (DSC) - was officially launched recently. Once complete, DSC will be the world’s first integrated purpose-designed sports city that will boast some of modern sport’s biggest brand names as associate partners. Major international names that have signed up for the 50 million sq ft development include Manchester United, Troon Golf, golfing superstar Ernie Els, Britain’s former Davis Cup Skipper David Lloyd and the top golf coach Butch Harmon.
Dubai Development and Investment Authority (DDIA), the promoter, which is supervising the execution of Dubailand project through Dubai Tourism Development Company (DTDC), has conducted intensive negotiations with investors and groups from within and outside the country who are interested in the main and sub-projects within Dubailand.
It has already signed a Dh 1 billion deal with the US-based 32Group to set up the Dubai Sunny Mountain Ski dome within the development. The venture will spread over a 1.4 million sq ft plot within the ‘Attractions and Experiences World’ area and will bring in Arctic winter experience and winter sports in the region.
Among other developments, the Dubai-based Al Sharq Group of Investment has signed up to develop the biggest water resort in the Middle East as part of the project. The Dh750 million ($204.2 million) Aqua Dubai will add value to Dubailand and is expected to offer the best in water-based entertainment facilities seen anywhere in the region.
Britain’s Plantation Holdings is to set up a world-class Equestrian and Polo facility, which will include a five-star resort and spa complex. It will house one of the world’s largest equestrian facilities sited on 14.5 million sq ft of luxuriously landscaped grounds.
“The Dubailand project will serve the exponentially growing leisure and tourism market, and enable Dubai to achieve its goal of attracting 15 million tourists in 2010,” says Salem Bin Dasmal, CEO, DTDC.
“Dubailand has been designed to appeal to the widest tourist segments across genders, age groups, world regions and activity preferences. It is a professionally conceived and planned project with a state-of-the-art infrastructure including world-class safety standards, zoning regulations, landscaping, utilities and facilities management.”
Dubailand offers a variety of unique opportunities for investors in projects, which have been developed up to pre-feasibility stage and include basic financial and attendance projections.
Peripheral developments for residential and commercial use will also be available in each of the six components, based on the requirements of the project and will be capped in adherence with the overall zoning and land-use criteria.

Attractions & Experience World
The Attractions and Experience World is expected to take up the biggest chunk of the investments at around Dh6.8 billion. It will feature 14 projects over a 145 million sq ft area.
It will provide a world of theme and water parks, roller coasters and adventure, featuring large-scale attractions, using the latest technology for thrills and safety. Its largest theme park will act as an anchor, attracting visitors year-round and encouraging the growth of visits to other attractions within the World, and Dubailand as a whole.
Projects within the World will include:

A Pharaohs Theme Park with multiple white-knuckle rides and roller coasters covering an area of 20 million sq ft and involving an investment of Dh800 million;
Space and Science World, a high-tech destination, which incorporates a virtual space adventure. It will include a camp allowing children to attempt challenges faced by real astronauts and a display area showcasing real and replica rockets and spacecraft.
Space Hotel, a themed resort incorporating a five-star hotel offering views of galaxies, meteors, planets and comets.
Giants World, which comprises giant rides will tower over visitors.
Kids World, an extraordinary edutainment destination for children, filled with hundreds of attractions including a miniature Dubai, child-focused museums and a dedicated Kids Mall.
Global Village, which will showcase arts and crafts, culture, folklore displays and food from cities around the world through national pavilions.
Aviation World, an interactive world dedicated to the story of aviation with airport and airline interactive exhibits, a museum charting the history of flight, simulator rides and a comprehensive collection of real and replica aircraft.
Tourism Park, a business park for the travel, tourism and hospitality industries featuring a travel and tourism academy, research institute and a virtual showcase for holiday destinations.
Film World, a fully-fledged film location featuring studio lots, sets, processing labs, equipment, offices and a fame academy. It is slated to become a global centre for movie production.
Desert World Theme Park, which will focus on education and experiences and includes retail and hotel components.
Arabian Theme Park, which will showcase famous Arabian legends and include themed residential components, hotels, retail outlets and dining options.
Dubai Sunny Mountain Ski Dome, a gigantic indoor ski dome with snow, ice-skating rinks and a host of snow and ice-based activities.
Aqua Dubai Water Park, featuring white water rapids and canyon rides, wave rides and giant man-made beaches as well as huge aquariums and open pools offering whale and dolphin shows; and,
The Castles, a mediaeval castle resort featuring dungeons, knights in armour, duel shows and theatrical plays.

Sports & Outdoor World
The Dh2.5 billion Sports and Outdoor World will feature five projects and include a mix of sporting venues, over an area of 2.6 million sq ft. It will be positioned to become a prime warm weather training facility for professional sports teams and will appeal to a broad mix of markets.
The primary land use in this World is for stadiums and sports fields. This component will include:

Extreme Sports World, featuring a permanent purpose-built centre for extreme sports such as skateboarding, motocross, roller-blading and BMX cycling facilities. It will also include dedicated areas for dune-buggying and indoor rock climbing.
Dubai Sports City, which has already been launched, will feature three giant-sized stadiums designed for events including hockey, cricket and rugby, plus track and field.
Dubai Autodrome, which is expected to be the first fully-integrated motor sports and autodrome facility in the region.
Polo World, featuring lush polo grounds with a polo academy and polo institute. Area 2 million sq ft, investment Dh50 million; and
Golf World, a self-contained golf-themed community featuring several 18-hole golf courses with attached clubhouses and a world-class golf academy with state-of-the-art driving ranges.

Eco-Tourism World
Eco Tourism World – billed as offering desert life and activities experience – with a projected investment of Dh4.22 billion from 12 projects. It will be spread over an area of 806 million sq ft.
Eco-Tourism World will comprise a series of nature and desert-based attractions integrated within their desert parkland surrounds. In contrast to many parts of Dubailand, this zone will offer a haven of calm and tranquility with tropical bio-domes, desert camps, a world-class interactive science and history museum and wilderness areas full of adventure.
Projects in this zone will include:

Petting Zoo, an interactive zoo for children of all ages. Area: 3 million sq ft, investment Dh10 million;
Animal World, comprising zoological gardens featuring sanctuaries and breeding facilities for endangered species;
Plantation Equestrian and Polo Centre, a riding centre featuring show jumping, dressage and endurance riding, an arena for international competitions and adjacent training, grooming and stabling facilities;
Dubai Heritage Vision, a spectacular sound and light show and a dedicated exhibition and display area for arts and crafts of the region;
An interactive Science and History Museum showcasing the evolution of animals and plants throughout the ages;
Gardens World, a lush habitat of plants, desert vegetation and gardens from around the world surrounded by spectacular lakes and spice meadows, incorporating a spa utilising natural medicinal and complementary therapies. It will also include a nursery with produce to be sold commercially, and a horticultural college;
Dinosaur World, a themed park featuring animated dinosaur replicas in a lifelike environment; and
Bawadi, a multi-faceted desert-based project including the following five projects that have leisure, eco-tourism and educational components: A Bio World with an interactive bio-dome (Area: 3 million sq ft, investment Dh400 million; Sand Dune Hotel (area: 2 million sq ft, investment Dh430 million); Sandstone Villas, a luxury themed villa development (area 33 million sq ft, investment Dh1.3 billion); Camp World (area: 5 million sq ft, investment Dh80 million; and Desert Safari (area: 10 million sq ft, investment Dh 100 million).

Themed Leisure & Vacation World
The Themed Leisure and Vacation World will entail investments of Dh3.6 billion on an area of 311 million sq ft. According to market sources in Dubai, interest from potential investors in this component is running high with projects covering the widest range of activities to appeal across countries and continents.
It will include:

The Andalusian Resort and Spa, recreating the luxury of Al Hambra Palace with Mediterranean-style gardens and spas. Area 2 million sq ft, investment Dh250 million;
Women’s World, a unique development within Dubailand, which will offer a secluded oasis created exclusively for women, with an entirely female staff. It will consist of wedding resorts, spas and shopping;
Wonders World, a purpose-built community in the shape of a falcon, featuring exquisite landscape of waterways, hotels and entertainment outlets;
Holiday World, a self-contained community featuring landscaped golf courses and lakes.

Retail & Entertainment World
‘Retail and Entertainment World - projected as the first project of its kind for family tourism in the Middle East - will be spread cover an area of 46 million sq ft of land, and call for an investment of Dh2.4 billion.
It will include retail facilities providing a wide variety of global brands, unique boutiques and discount stores, all within the biggest mall in the world - the Mall of Arabia.
This area will comprise:

The Mall of Arabia, designed to be the largest mall in the world, which will have innovative and exciting themed areas, designer boutiques and exclusive salons in distinct Arabian architectural surroundings;
Factory outlets;
Auction World, a premier auction centre dealing in arts, antiques, manuscripts, cars, carpets and jewellery;
World Trade Park, a commercial park with zones dedicated to individual countries based around an innovative concept where trade councils of each country bring companies to set up in the free zone; and
Flea Market, based around a courtyard area where people can relax, eat and drink.

Downtown
A vibrant mix of entertainment and eating out, Downtown will be a destination offering a variety of retail, dining and entertainment facilities on a six million sq ft area. The projected investment will be Dh2.2billion.
It will feature popular family entertainment components with cross-generational appeal such as cinemas, bowling, street entertainment, computer-based games centres, themed restaurants and night life entertainment.
The grand entry piazza will house business and administrative offices, conveniently backed by luxury apartment complexes and art galleries.
Central to the Downtown design concept is the feeling of open space within the heart of Dubailand. Shaded squares and an abundance of water features will further add to the relaxed and congenial ambience of the zone.
The major features of this zone include:

The iconic Towers, which will dominate the entrance to Dubailand and feature luxury offices, apartments and hotels;
Dubai Walk, at the heart of Dubailand, will be a popular, innovative centre for retail and family entertainment and dining, featuring wide boulevards, street cafés, lush parklands and gardens;
Virtual Games World, a futuristic centre for interactive computer-based and virtual reality games; and
Teen World providing entertainment and education components and including retail stores featuring teen-oriented merchandise.