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| The World is an offshore
land development made up of 220 man-made islands
that will be home to exclusive hotels and residences. |
The international media community is used to a
string of innovative real estate projects coming
out of Dubai. Landmark developments such as The
Palm have captured the imagination of magazine and
newspaper editors across the globe, with images
of Dubai’s futuristic projects spread across
a succession of international publications. However,
nothing prepared journalists for Nakheel’s
awe-inspiring new project - The World.
The World is a series of 223 man-made islands, strategically
positioned to form the shape of a map of the world.
Located five kilometers off the coast of Dubai, The
World will be 3.4 miles in both length and width,
covering 60 million square feet, including 10 million
square feet of beach. The concept was conceived by
General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Dubai
Crown Prince and UAE Minister of Defense.
“The World is set to be the most exclusive private
water retreat available in Dubai,” says Nakheel
Chairman Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem. “It will provide
an intriguing and one-of-a-kind haven for investors
looking for an exclusive and world-class real estate
opportunity.”
Each of the islands will be themed to reflect the
countries and regions they represent. Nakheel has
placed tight restrictions on the height of developments
to ensure the correct ambience is retained within
the islands, and a series of waterways, canals and
lakes have been integrated into the overall design.
The development is aimed squarely at the elite residential
and tourist market.
“We will be creating 223 islands,” says
Mr. Bin Sulayem. “Each island cluster will be
positioned in a way to look like a continent and islands
clustered together will make a country. The design
is now finished, the tender is analyzed, and we are
about to begin work on reclamation, which will take
around two years.”
Prior to finalizing the exact design, a team of international
professionals researched existing islands around the
world in order to ensure the individual island’s
shapes are as functional and appealing as possible.
To ensure maximum security and exclusivity, access
to the island will be strictly by marine transport
– there will be no road link to The World. Two
breakwaters will be built around the island network
- including an above-water revetment and a submerged
reef - to protect it from the ebb and flow of the
tides, which could wash away the shoreline if it weren’t
protected. Construction work is due to begin in late
2003, with the project due for total completion by
2008. |
