Dubai Frame gets gold cladding. Photo by Mohammad Mustafa Khan
Dubai - The work has already started on the frame's glass bridge
Published: Wed 22 Mar 2017, 5:59 PM
The long wait for Dubai Frame is finally coming to an end! The iconic structure is all set to shine in its golden cladding soon.
The work has already started on the frame's glass bridge, and the cladding is expected to be completed by the end of this year, a top senior Dubai Municipality official told Khaleej Times.
The golden base of the glass bridge (horizontal leg of the frame) is halfway through, from which workers are installing the stainless steel gold to cover both sides of the bridge. The design is inspired by the Expo 2020 logo, which can already be seen on the bridge.
The installation of both the vertical frames and the glass bridge is complete, and only finishing touches to the frame are remaining, the official has confirmed. The exterior cladding work is going on in full swing.
Measuring 150 metres high and 93 metres wide, the structure now stands tall in Dubai's Za'abeel Park, with its completion slated for the end of this year.
Launched in 2013, the Dh160 million project was originally planned to open in 2015. The civic body had previously attributed the delay to replacement of the exterior cladding.
The frame is designed to offer visitors a 360-degree view of Dubai as they walk through the bridge on high altitude. It will outline views towards the Emirates Towers and Burj Khalifa on one side and Deira, Umm Harare and Karama from the other.
The Dubai Frame will also have a gallery and a museum located on the ground floor (the horizontal rib bottom of the frame), displaying the story of the city's evolution and displaying information of its past and present through the use of the latest technological means that suits the comprehensive urban boom taking place in the emirate.
A main panoramic elevator will go up through the frame to get to the glass bridge, allowing visitors to see the actual old and modern Dubai, before they get down from the other side.
The project is expected to become an iconic symbol added to an array of landmarks in Dubai such as the Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab.
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com