There is something about Dubai that just attracts me. Every new project it plans, as magnificent as it is, always out does its previous. The coast line of Dubai has been very busy for the past few years having two major projects going on:
The Palms, three artificial islands constructed in the shaped of palm trees along the coast line of Dubai.
It’s simply astonishing. Something I would never thought of.
The World, consists of 300 man-made archipelago shaped as the world map being built off the coast of Dubai, where each island is off for bidding and purchasing. Each island can range from 14-45 million USD. When I first heard about this project I thought it was just a rumor. Now several years after, it’s near completion. (Reported 90% complete as of March 2007.)
I’m sure I’m not the only one thought that The World is a crazy idea when it was first proposed. But now we’ll see who will have the last laugh as those ultra rich people purchase the planet’s most unique real estate. More information can be found here: Other than creating islands off the coast and stretching into the sea, Dubai is also expanding into the sky. The Burj Dubai building, which will become the world’s tallest building upon completion.
Actually, as of August 2007, the Burj Dubai has a reported height of 521.7m with 143 floors, which already surpasses the world’s current tallest building – Taipei 101 (509.2m.) The Burj Dubai is going be a mixture of hotels and residential apartments, which were completely sold out after 8 hours of announcing.
The Burj Dubai tower will become the centerpiece of an entirely new Dubai downtown, which is currently being built from scratch. That’s right, as of right now, it’s nothing but garbage and sand in that area. But will become as shown in the following image by late 2009.
Surrounding the Burj Dubai in the new downtown will include 30,000 homes, nine hotels such as the Burj Dubai Lake Hotel & Serviced Apartment, a huge park, at least 19 residential towers, a 0.12km sq. man-made Burj Dubai Lake, and a world largest Dubai Mall. (As in following image.)
Oh yeah, did I mention all these projects in downtown are constructed by one company – Emaar. Also, the whole Dubai will be connected through monorail. I wouldn’t be surprised though if they decided to use maglev trains instead. And let’s not forget about the Dubai Sports City that is being constructed outside the new downtown.
With that, and the wealth of Dubai, who can compete with them for the bidding of 2016 Summer Olympics game? Of course, all those above mentioned are still under construction.
Finally, there is the Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai. The one thing that’s actually finished already.
One of the things that I want to do in my lifetime is to visit Dubai with my family and friends and STAY at this 6-star hotel. To me, this is much more than a simple staying overnight in a hotel. I can do that anytime I want at a Holiday Inn. This Burj Al Arab is different!
I’ve already put a picture of the hotel as my desktop, since every time I see it, it motivates me.
You can click them for larger view. Just how can you not be moved by seeing these pictures. And that’s only the exterior. The interior images almost made me tear:
One day, you will find me vacationing in Dubai. I’ll be staying at the Burj Al Arab, so come look for me. I’ll be at the spa getting my massage.
