Dubai is well known for its lavish and somewhat eccentric architecture with projects such as the Dubai frame which is currently under construction and schedule for completion in the second half of 2015, and the Desert Rose, a sustainable satellite city scheduled to begin construction in 2016. However it has recently been announced that plans are already in place for the next extravagant project.
Permission has been granted for the construction of a 4,000 acre complex which will consist of six giant towers. You may be thinking what’s so special about some new towers? Well these towers are heavily influenced by the tales of Arabian Nights and based on themes of Aladdin and Sinbad. Suitably nicknamed “Aladdin City”, some of the new buildings will be constructed in the shape of the magic lamp from the story of Aladdin.
The towers themselves will vary between 25 – 34 storeys tall and will include new commercial and hotel areas, parking for over 900 cars and 160,000 residential units as well. The Towers will also be linked by huge air-conditioned bridges said to represent dragons and snakes and the exotic marine life of the area, with moving walk ways referred to as “magic carpets”. Located near the more historical district of Dubai, it is just outside of the part of the Dubai Creek which is currently bidding for a World Heritage Status from UNESCO. Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director-General of Dubai Municipality has said that the tower will be “icons of legends of the past with a touch of beauty and tourism characteristic of the city.”
Whilst a figure for the project has not yet been announced, the Dubai Municipality has said that they hold plenty of funds to cover the cost. This is on top of the estimated $9.5bn Desert Rose project and no doubt there will be plenty more large scale projects announced before this is even completed. Other projects which are already in the pipelines for Dubai but yet to be formally announced include the world’s largest Ferris Wheel – the Dubai Eye. It is hard to see what could top these elaborate structures and attractions but no doubt there will be plenty more weird and wonderful concepts to come in Dubai.