News from Dubai

Fire at Atlantis

David — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:41:32 +0000

A fire has broken out at the Atlantis hotel in Dubai. The blaze started at around 7.30 am in the main lobby just weeks before it was due to open on September 24. At the height of the fire, plumes smoke stretched more than one kilometre into the air.

Developers Nakheel have stated that the fire has now been extinguished and was contained in the lobby.

New theatre at Planetarium

David — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:38:09 +0000

A new state-of-the-art theatre is currently being installed in The Planetarium at Dubai Children’s City. The full dome 3D system will offer an enhanced display with high levels of brightness and resolution, and will boast a screen area of 288 square metres.

Makiya Al Hajri, Head of the Children’s City, said ‘Visiting children would be able to explore the universe and the galaxy in a very exciting way thanks to the new display technology. From now onwards, these shows will be accompanied by live educational workshops that suit the tastes of children in different age groups who are visiting the planetarium.’

The new system is expected to be operational by October.

Famous toy shop to open in Dubai

David — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 09:48:30 +0000

Hamleys, the famous UK toy retailer, will open a store at the Dubai Mall later this year. The shop, their first in Dubai, will cover an area of 32,000 square feet and stock over 15,000 lines of toys.

Mr Gudjon Reynisson, Chief Executive Officer of Hamleys, said, ‘Dubai is a logical step in our global expansion programme, as a significant number of our current customers in the UK are visitors from the Middle East. We are sure our customers will love the magical and exciting elements of Hamleys, which guarantees the best of past, present and future for children - both young and old at heart.’

The Dubai Mall will open for business on October 30 2008.

The Walk opens for business

David — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:09:15 +0000

Dubai Properties has announced that The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence is now open for business. The 1.7 km long shopping promenade is currently home to more than 170 stores including Zadig, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nautica, Damas Jewellers, and Aiyanna of London. Once complete the outdoor retail avenue will feature over 300 shops.

Terminal 3 opening October

David — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:40:42 +0000

Dubai Airports has announced that a phased transitional opening of Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport will commence on October 14 2008. The opening will be implemented in 4 phases to ensure that the problems encountered at Heathrow’s Terminal 5 earlier this year are avoided.

Terminal 3 will be used exclusively by Emirates airline and will almost double the airport’s passenger capacity from 34 million passengers per year to 60 million. It is specifically designed to handle Emirates’ fleet of Airbus A380 jumbo jets.

Crowne Plaza International Media Production Zone

David — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:02:23 +0000

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has signed an agreement with the Mohammed Omar Bin Haider Group to develop a fourth Crowne Plaza hotel in Dubai.

Located in the International Media Production Zone the hotel will offer 250 rooms, 70 serviced apartments, several restaurants, a rooftop bar, swimming pool, and gymnasium.

In March IHG announced the Crowne Plaza Business Bay. IHG already operate Crown Plaza hotels at the Trade Centre and Dubai Festival City.

Dubai Mall opening delayed

David — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 10:19:51 +0000

Property developers Emaar has announced that the Dubai Mall will open on October 30 and not August 28 as reported earlier. The change of dates has been caused by delays in the construction of infrastructure facilities such as parking.

Low cost airline named

David — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:06:23 +0000

The Emirates Group have announced that Dubai’s new low cost airline will be called FlyDubai. The budget carrier will operate regional flights within the GCC area and surrounding countries and is scheduled to launch its first routes in 2009.

Operating as a separate entity to the Emirates Group and Emirates Airline, its fleet will comprise either Boeing 737s or Airbus A320s. A logo and brand identity will be unveiled sometime in the next few months.

Radisson Dubai Trade Centre District

David — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:03:29 +0000

The Rezidor Hotel Group has announced a new hotel at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, in the Trade Centre area of the city. The Radisson Dubai Trade Centre District will offer 450 rooms and suites, numerous restaurants, a bar and nightclub, meeting and conference facilities, swimming pool, fitness centre, and car park.

The hotel is scheduled to open at the end of 2011.

Zaatar w Zeit restaurant opens at Jumeirah Beach Residence

David — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 10:15:19 +0000

Lebanese restaurant chain Zaatar w Zeit (ZwZ) has followed up on the success of its existing locations in Dubai and opened another restaurant at the Jumeirah Beach Residence.

CEO Walid Hajj said ‘What distinguishes ZwZ from other restaurants is the great service and friendly atmosphere; it’s like a home away from home. Everything is ‘Aa tari’tak’, meaning as you like it.’

Zaatar w Zeit first opened in 1999 in Sodeco Beirut. Other outlets in Dubai are found on Sheikh Zayed Road, at the Mall of the Emirates, and Dubai Festival City.