A city of skyscrapers is an apt way to describe Dubai. And they are not just your regular skyscrapers – they often are the world’s tallest, largest, biggest. This megalomania is taken quite seriously, take for example the tallest building in the world – Burj Khalifa. In real estate jargon it is the perfect example of a mixed use development housing within its 160 stories restaurants, residences, corporate offices, hotel, club and entertainment. The building opened its doors in January 2010. On level 124 is the observation deck which promises a view of Dubai like no other. On level 122 is At.mosphere a fine dining restaurant; the Residences offer 900 residences in the building; 37 office floors. Armani Hotel Dubai is a showcase of what the design house can do to a hotel with 160 rooms, they also have 144 private residences. The Club is a four storey fitness and recreation centre and The Park is spread over 11 hectares with six water features. The Park also offers 3000 underground parking spaces.
Originally to be named Burj Dubai, but in a gesture of goodwill towards Abu Dhabi and their bailout offer to Dubai it was names Burj Khalifa after Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahan, president of UAE. The structure is the centrepiece of Downtown Dubai – a large-scale, mixed-use development including 30,000 homes, nine hotels, three hectares of parkland, at least 19 residential towers, the Dubai Mall and the 12-hectare man-made Burj Khalifa Lake.
Following closely to the world’s tallest building is the world’s tallest hotel – JW Marriott Marquis Dubai. Built by by the Emirates Group, the 72 storey hotel is the first JW Marriott Marquis outside of North America and is 355 meters tall. It is just 26 metres shorter than New York City’s Empire State Building. Main focus area of business for the hotel will be MICE, the hotel claims that groups, meetings and conventions of up to 1,000 people can now meet, stay and dine, under one roof. JW Marriott Marquis Dubai features more than 7,500 square meters of indoor and outdoor event space, including two ballrooms, and a large selection of world-class dining and entertainment options.
The JW Marriott Marquis Dubai has nine restaurants, and five bars and lounges, including the sky-high steakhouse Prime 68; Sushi restaurant, Izakaya; and stunning cocktail bar Vault, which is situated on the 71st and 72nd floors and features panoramic views of the city. The hotel is also home to Rang Mahal by Michelin Star chef Atul Kochhar. The Saray Spa is spread over 4,000 square-metres. It draws inspiration from the caravanserai silk route across Arabia. A pool deck covers the seventh floor of the hotel with a 30-metre swimming pool. Aqua Poolside Bar and Grill draws inspiration from Miami’s renowned South Beach, offering light snacks and beverages throughout the day.
Currently Dubai Mall has the claim to world’s largest mall. But according to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the vice president, prime minister and ruler of Dubai the city will see a much bigger shopping and entertainment centre. It is part of an AED10-billion destination that focuses on delivering a multi-faceted leisure and entertainment experience to residents and tourists of Dubai. In a Twitter post he said, “Today we launched a new city in Dubai, it will host world’s largest mall accommodating 80 million shoppers a year and a park that will receive 35 million.” This attraction will also have a Bollywood Park; master developers Meraas Holdings has partnered with several major film studios in Mumbai for leveraging content, with a large theater within Bollywood Park. The first component of the development of this destination is expected to be completed by 2014.
Meraas Holdings is also in charge of the Bluewaters Project – a retail, residential, hospitality and entertainment zone located off the Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) coastline. The centrepiece of the island project will be a 250-metre Ferris Wheel, the Dubai Eye, wold’s tallest observation wheel. The piazza at the base of the wheel will serve as an entertainment zone and a unique venue for private parties, weddings and conferences. The project is slated to be completed in 2015.
