Archive for the ‘Attractions’ Category

Busch Entertainment Corporation (BEC) and Dubai property developer Nakheel have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop four theme parks on the Palm Jebel Ali. Under the terms of the agreement Nakheel will provide the capital to develop the project while BEC will operate the parks.

The four parks will be SeaWorld Dubai, Aquatica, Busch Gardens, and Discovery Cove and will operate under Busch’s World of Discovery banner. The first phase of the project is expected to open in 2012.

Dubai property developer Emaar has announced that it has completed 50 percent of the cladding work on the Burj Dubai. The iconic structure now stands at 604.9 metres and is the world’s tallest free-standing structure.

Tatweer, a subsidiary of Dubai Holding, has announced a strategic partnership with American film studio DreamWorks Animation to develop the world’s first DreamWorks-brand theme park at Dubailand.

Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO of DreamWorks Animation, said, ‘We are thrilled to bring the first DreamWorks Animation dedicated theme park to Dubai through our alliance with Tatweer for Dubailand. This relationship will allow us to create an exciting destination where families and tourists will enjoy the unique opportunity to interact with DreamWorks branded content within Dubailand.’

Details of cost and completion date were not revealed.

Emaar, the property developers behind many of Dubai’s megaprojects, have signed an agreement with SEGA to develop indoor theme parks throughout the Middle East and North Africa.

The first to open will be at the Dubai Mall at the Burj Dubai development, scheduled to open later this year. Based on SEGA’s Joypolis amusement park in Tokyo, the 76,000 sq ft facility will feature an indoor roller coaster, motion ride simulators, and arcade games.

Dubai now boasts the tallest free-standing structure in the world. A statement was released by developers Emaar yesterday, announcing that the Burj Dubai had reached a height of 555 metres, 2 meters taller than Toronto’s CN Tower.

The Burj Dubai has still someway to go to become the tallest structure in the world. This title is currently held by the KVLY-TV mast in Blanchard, North Dakota, which measures 628.8 metres in height, but is supported by wires.

Emaar have not yet disclosed the final height of the Burj Dubai, although it is expected to be in excess of 700 metres.

Property developers Nakheel have released images of what Dubai will look like in the future. They were created by superimposing renderings of Nakheel’s projects such as the Palm Jumeirah and the World onto a recent satellite image of Dubai. Check them out here.

Nakheel has signed a deal that will give the Cirque du Soleil a permanent home at the Palm Jumeirah. The Dubai-based property developer will build an 1800-seat theatre for the circus that enjoyed a 2-month stint at the Ibn Battuta mall earlier this year. Opening is scheduled for 2010.

The design for a unique skyscraper at the City of Arabia development in Dubailand was unveiled at a press conference in Dubai earlier this week. The Turning Time Residences will rotate 360 degrees every 7 days using solar power, providing residents with constantly changing views.

The 30-storey building has been designed by Glen Howells Architects and will house 200 one to four-bedroom apartments. Developers Dubai Property Ring expects construction to commence in June and be complete by 2009.

Dubailand has opened its new headquarters to the public. The 180,000 sq ft office is situated at the Dubailand roundabout on Emirates Road and features a 3,200 sq ft model of the ambitious development.

Chillout Productions have announced the final line up for the Dubai International Jazz Festival. Artists scheduled to appear include Freddy Cole, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Acoustic Alchemy, Toto and Jamie Cullum. The event will take place at Dubai Media City from March 8 to 10 2007.