Thu, Nov 07, 2024 | Jumada al-Awwal 5, 1446 | DXB ktweather icon0°C

Amazing! This new Dubai structure can TRANSFORM itself

Top Stories

Dubai - The arena's seats will be able to 'disappear' into the ground when not required (like if there's a rock concert on) and appear when needed (say, for a large-scale wedding).

Published: Mon 7 Nov 2016, 5:13 PM

Updated: Wed 14 Aug 2024, 11:27 AM

  • By
  • Staff Report

Dubai residents, get ready for the Transformer of buildings!

The emirate has broken ground on a new attraction that has the ability to transform itself from a stadium to a theatre.

Serious. No kidding.

The just-announced Dubai Arena will not only be the region's largest indoor air-conditioned arena -it will come equipped with automated malleable seats.

That jargon for magic!

Well, not magic per se, a but technical and technological marvel.

The arena's seats will be able to 'disappear' into the ground when not required (like if there's a rock concert on) and appear when needed (say, for a large-scale wedding).

This will help it transform from a theatre to a stadium, depending on the scale of the event.

The multi-purpose arena covering an area of 500,000 sq ft and with an approximate capacity of 20,000 in the heart of Dubai will be ready in about two years' time.

The new arena will catapult Dubai alongside other major international cities such as London, Sydney and New York in hosting major touring events, Dubai-based holding company Meraas said while announcing that the arena, located in City Walk, will be ready by the end of 2018.

The company maintains that the indoor air-conditioned arena will "enhance Dubai's leisure and entertainment offering" and hopes that it will become the go-to venue for large-scale international music concerts, sporting events such as hockey and NBA, as well as other entertainment events.

Abdulla Al Habbai, Group Chairman of Meraas, said that the new destination will enrich Dubai's existing infrastructure.

"[It]will raise Dubai's credentials as a premium leisure and entertainment hub. Dubai Arena will host famous and world-renowned athletes, artists and performers and attract tourists to Dubai all year round. It will also host large global events and performances that have not visited the region as yet, due to the lack of a suitable platform for holding similar events," he said.

Dubai Arena will be managed by international venue management company AEG Ogden, part of Anschutz Entertainment Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Anschutz Company that owns, controls or is affiliated with a collection of companies including over 100 of the world's preeminent facilities such as The O2 in London, the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, the Mercedes Benz Arena in Shanghai and Qudos Bank Arena in Australia.

Harvey Lister, chairman and CEO of AEG Ogden, said the venue will put Dubai on the international entertainment touring circuit and make a major contribution to the emirate's continued development as a major tourism destination.

"Dubai is strategically positioned to capitalise on acts undertaking tours of Europe and Australia and AEG Ogden will use its worldwide network and contacts to secure leading international artists and shows for the venue," he said.

The project management contract for the destination was awarded to DXB Entertainment, responsible to oversee the design and construction of Dubai Arena.

"What makes Dubai Arena stand apart from its counterparts is its remarkable size, capacity, and ability to be transformed from a theatre to a stadium depending on the scale of the event," said Raed Kajoor Al Nuaimi, CEO of DXB Entertainments.



Next Story