DAMAC Properties Building First Tropical Ecosystem in the Middle East;
Unique Project to Open in AKOYA Oxygen - First Major Attraction in Expansive Retail and Entertainment Zone
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: For Immediate Release: 25th February 2015. Dubai is set to become home to the Middle East's first tropical Rainforest, as the Emirate continues its drive to attract tourism from all over the world.
The tropical ecosystem has been announced by leading luxury developer DAMAC Properties. The educational and cultural dome will be housed within the company's AKOYA Oxygen master development community as one of the premium attractions within an expansive retail and entertainment zone.
The Dubai Rainforest will be completed ahead of the World Expo 2020 taking place in the Emirate, and will become a key attraction within Dubai's integrated tourism plans. The project will join attractions such as the varied theme parks coming on-line, in addition to the world's tallest fountain, the Palm Jumeirah, the Dubai Eye and the Dubai Aquarium as Dubai looks to welcome at least 20 million tourists a year by 2020.
"Dubai is known around the world for attracting the biggest and best and the Dubai Rainforest joins that list of unique attractions which will support the growth of the city," said Ziad El Chaar, Managing Director, DAMAC Properties. "The Dubai Rainforest will fit perfectly into the ethos of AKOYA Oxygen - the greenest community in Dubai - and provide a new space for education and cultural events which will raise awareness of this exciting ecosystem."
The Dubai Rainforest will sit adjacent to the Trump World Golf Clubhouse, part of an open-air walkway of high-end retail and entertainment offering, for residents and visitors to the AKOYA by DAMAC community.
AKOYA Oxygen is one of the most talked about master plans currently under development in Dubai. Spread across 55 million sq ft within Dubailand, AKOYA Oxygen will be a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city. The second phase of the project is currently available for investment, with villas and townhouses available within the green environment. The project is set around the Trump World Golf Club, Dubai - an 18-hole Championship-standard golf course, which is under design by world-famous golfer, Tiger Woods and will be managed by the Trump Organisation.
The retail and entertainment centre will be the fulcrum of the AKOYA Oxygen development, housing the golf course clubhouse, the Dubai Rainforest and a selection of retail and restaurant outlets.
The Dubai Rainforest will recreate the natural environment experienced in the heart of the deepest rainforests, which cover 6% of the earth's surface. The tall, dense jungle environment will be fully recreated with many plants species integrated into the iconic dome structure. DAMAC Properties will ensure the integrity of the project is a natural representation of the environment through collaborations with leading Amazonian rainforest experts.
"The Dubai Rainforest will be a tropical wonderland, which tourists, residents and school groups can immerse themselves in and inspire a new generation," added El Chaar.
Visitors will be taken on a journey through the jungle, starting out on the ground level, before climbing into the canopy, learning about the flora and fauna throughout the habitat. Those with a thrill for heights will be able to fly through the treetops on a zip wire offering stunning bird's eye views of the environment. Those with a more serene temperament will be able to laze back within the peaceful surrounds of the Rainforest spa, offering hydrothermal treatments among the rock pools and steam baths.
The Dubai Rainforest will also incorporate all of the latest outdoor and exploration equipment with a natural-looking rock face climbing wall set within the abundant nature.
The Dubai Rainforest will also be opened to the true romantics, looking for a very unique wedding environment. Couples will be able to exchange vows in a beautiful Rainforest clearing, followed by a sumptuous feast with the wedding party.
As of December 31st 2014, DAMAC Properties has delivered almost 13,000 homes and has a development portfolio of over 38,000 units at various stages of progress and planning. Included are more than 10,000 hotel rooms and serviced hotel apartments under development, which will be managed by its hospitality arm, DAMAC Hotels & Resorts.
Further information is available at www.damacproperties.com
About DAMAC Properties
DAMAC Properties has been at the forefront of the Middle East's luxury real estate market for more than 13 years - bringing luxury living experiences to residents from all over the world. Making its mark at the highest end of stylish living, DAMAC Properties has cemented its place as the leading luxury developer in the region, offering iconic design and the upmost quality. The company's footprint now extends across the Middle East with projects in the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Lebanon.
As of December 31st 2014, DAMAC Properties has delivered almost 13,000 homes and has a development portfolio of over 38,000 units at various stages of progress and planning. Included are more than 10,000 hotel rooms and serviced hotel apartments under development, which will be managed by its hospitality arm, DAMAC Hotels & Resorts.
The company is dual-listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) with Global Depository Receipts placed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), making it the first real estate company from the UAE to appear on LSE. The company also issued a US$650 million five year Sukuk on NASDAQ Dubai in April of 2014, which was more than four times oversubscribed and was placed with institutional investors across Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
As a leading player in the market, DAMAC Properties has joined forces with some of the most recognisable fashion and lifestyle brands in the world to bring new and exciting living concepts to the market. Projects include a Tigers Woods designed golf course which will be managed by The Trump Organisation, luxury apartments with interiors by Italian fashion-houses Versace, luxury apartments and villas with interiors by FENDI and uniquely conceptualised Paramount Hotels and Resorts to bring serviced living at it most opulent.
The company is also developing two of the most anticipated luxury master communities in Dubai - AKOYA by DAMAC and AKOYA Oxygen. With a combined square footage of almost 100 million sq ft, the two distinct projects bring luxury villas within lush green surrounds to the doorstep of those looking to escape the city lights in a private, serene environment.
Running through the heart of each project will be an 18-hole Championship Golf Course - The Trump International Golf Club, Dubai designed by Gil Hanse at AKOYA by DAMAC and The Trump World Golf Club, Dubai, designed by Tiger Woods. Both courses will be managed by the Trump Organisation, offering the highest levels of white glove service.
Each project will house the highest luxury villas and apartments currently available on the market, with branded living concepts available within AKOYA by DAMAC from Paramount Hotels & Resorts and FENDI. The Trump Estates mansions also offer a truly indulgent lifestyle, with panoramic views across the course.
As a global leader in branded real estate, the company is also developing a US$1 billion hotel and luxury serviced residences in the Burj area of Dubai, called DAMAC Towers by Paramount, which will comprise the first Paramount hotel and serviced residences in the region.
DAMAC Properties' hospitality portfolio will extend within the coming three years to reach around 10,000 units of hotel rooms, serviced hotel apartments and serviced villas. The company's pipeline of hospitality projects to be opened in the coming few months extends in different locations of the Burj Area and other key areas of Dubai with its DAMAC Maison and NAIA products.
With vision and momentum, DAMAC Properties is building the next generation of Middle East luxury living.
Further information is available at www.damacproperties.com or join DAMAC Properties on Facebook, Twitter (@DAMACOfficial) and YouTube.
For more information please contact: Niall McLoughlin, Senior Vice President - Corporate Communications, DAMAC. Tel: +971 4 3731000 │ Fax: 00 9714 3732335 │Email: niall.mcloughlin@damacgroup.com
© Press Release 2015
