Dubai adds another jewel to its crown

Emaar launches sale of Sirdhana waterfront homes with prime views of the marina and the Downtown Dubai skyline

Dubai will be adding another iconic facility to its countless global attractions with the development of the world's new sailing destination by the historic Dubai Creek near Bur Dubai/Deidra, master developer Emaar announced on Thursday.
The Dh25 billion Mina Rashid, located at the very heart of the Dubai's glorious coastal heritage, will celebrate Dubai's maritime past while creating a future-ready lifestyle address, Emaar said in a statement.
P&O Marinas, a subsidiary of global trade enabler DP World - UAE Region, has made the land available to Emaar and will continue to develop world-class marinas and berthing facilities.
The sailing destination will have 430 wet berths that can welcome the largest yachts in the world and catalyse cruise tourism that grows at 16-18 per cent annually.
Only 15 minutes from the Dubai International Airport and 20 minutes from Downtown Dubai and Dubai Creek Harbour, 'Mina Rashid' will have several exceptional features, including a few firsts in the city such as 'The Dubai Mall by the Sea' - an elite waterfront retail, dining and leisure destination; a floating yacht club; a pristine sandy beach of over 12,600 square metres - the size of about two-and-a-half football fields; and Dubai's longest swimming pool, among others.
Mohamed Alabbar, chairman of Emaar Properties and Emaar Development, said with Mina Rashid, the developers are creating a future-ready city that honours the legacy of the Al Maktoum family and salutes the farsighted vision of Dubai's rulers who have consistently built - not for now and then, but for the future and beyond.
"The evolution of the city today as a knowledge-based economy, offering significant opportunities across all business sectors, drives demand for world-class developments that will further enhance economic growth."
Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, group chairman and chief executive officer of DP World and chairman of Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corporation, said P&O Marinas is keen to support Dubai's economic growth and to realise the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to diversify the economy and support the development of a range of economic sectors including trade and tourism.
"The new development will strengthen Dubai's position as a global city and the premier cruise hub in the Middle East. Our venture with Emaar will contribute to the city's cruise tourism and create another strong economic catalyst," he said.
The QE2, the world's most celebrated ocean liner - now a 13-deck hotel, dining, entertainment and events destination - will be the central attraction of the facility.
Emaar said in a statement that Mina Rashid would have vibrant promenades and a Venetian piazza with retail and F&B overlooking the sea. In addition, there will be signature hotels, a private beach club, interconnected parks, a 500-metre long palm tree-fringed canal, art galleries, a theatre, museum and more. Mina Rashid will also be a modern link to the heritage of the city with a direct pedestrian bridge connecting the House of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum, thereby honouring the legacy of the Al Maktoum family, to a museum and theatre.
The development will also complement the Hamdan bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal, one of the most advanced cruise terminals in the world and the Middle East's leading cruise destination.
Emaar now offers the first opportunity for investors to become part of 'Mina Rashid' with the launch of Sirdhana, a limited collection of 1, 2 and 3-bedroom waterfront apartments and townhouses.
- issacjohn@khaleejtimes.com