Dinosaurs, a monorail and the world's largest mall these are just some of the features of the $1.96 billion (Dh7.2 billion) City of Arabia development unveiled in Dubai yesterday.
The development will include a 10 million square-foot mall, a dinosaur theme park inhabited by 100 life-size roaring, walking animatronic dinosaurs, a cluster of towers and residential and commercial areas. A monorail will connect the development's different sections.
Occupying 20 million square feet at Dubailand, the development will house 35,000 people in 34 tower blocks each 30 to 60 storeys high as well as residential blocks and a series of five-storey apartment buildings.
City of Arabia is backed by Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari Group, the Dubai-based diversified business house.
"City of Arabia will be the largest private sector project in the Middle East, in the centre of the New Dubai district," Ilyas Galadari said.
Palmer and Turner, the Hong-Kong based architects, have been appointed project consultants for the development.
The 500,000-square-foot, fully air-conditioned dinosaur theme park will be developed in collaboration with the Natural History Museum of London. It is to be called "Restless Planet" and will open in 2008.
Thirty-four species of dinosaur, designed with careful scientific accuracy, will be brought to life and programmed to move, roar and even walk. They will be able to track visitors to the park with their eyes.
"Industry experts estimate Dubai's retail business will be worth $50 billion [Dh183.5 billion] in 2010, and projects such as City of Arabia are driving this amazing growth. Millions of new tourists are heading to Dubai each year, and the quality of Dubai's shopping and entertainment are massive draws," Mustafa Galadari said.
The Mall of Arabia, also due to open in 2008, will have four levels. It will boast 1,000 outlets and enough parking space for 10,000 cars. The development will also include three hotels.
Ground for the development has already been prepared, and construction of some of its components will start in summer.
Gulf News
