Dubai Properties yesterday announced the launch of the Dh50 billion Culture Village on 40 million square feet of land near the Dubai Creek.
"The launch of Culture Village is in line with the economic and commercial development of Dubai and answers the need for culture and art to flourish in parallel," said Dubai Properties CEO Hashim Al Dabal in a prepared statement.
Culture Village will feature open spaces, traditional wind towers, cobblestone walkways, sculptures, waterways topped with bridges, creekside souks, restaurants and cafs, an amphitheatre for live performances and cultural festivals, an exhibition hall and museums, and a dockyard where traditional dhow-building will be on display, the company said.
"Culture Village will be a tourist landmark that will attract culture and art lovers from all over the world. The project will add diversity to the cultural and art scene in the UAE and the region,"Al Dabal said.
"It is intended to be a worldclass destination that mixes oldworld entertainment with a sophisticated ambience," he said.
The blend will consist of Middle Eastern history with the heritage of Dubai, Al Dabal said, offering a mix of Arabic and old Dubai architecture. Murals, sculptures and pottery are expected to adorn the faades of buildings and street corners.
Culture Village's master plan has been divided into residential, commercial and retail zones with hospitality and entertainment sub-districts, the company's release said.
The residential district will feature low- to medium-rise buildings offering studio, one, two, three and four bedroom apartments with contemporary interiors, including loft-style apartments with work areas.
The commercial district will house cultural institutions, schools, academies for art, music, dance, pottery and other crafts. The retail district will feature luxury hotels, designer restaurants and coffee shops, as well as rare-book shops and art and craft galleries, the company said. A traditional souk, offering Arabian crafts, antiques, and spices and herbs, will be the focal point of the retail district, it said.
"We have already been approached by a number of international designers and retailers specialising in unique artistic crafts and merchandising, interested in setting up boutiques in Culture Village.
"The retail district will be a unique shopping experience," added Al Dabal.
Dubai Properties, a subsidiary of Dubai Holding, also has projects such as Business Bay and Jumeirah Beach Residence under its belt.
Irish Interest
Irish investors showed "strong" interest in Dubai Properties commercial hub, Business Bay at a road show held in Dubai recently the company said in a press statement yesterday. Dubai Properties invited a group of business affiliates in Dublin for a presentation that highlighted Business Bay as a niche project now being developed as the region's business capital. Dubai Properties CEO Hashin Al Dabal said in the statement: "Business Bay is extremely popular with investors for variety of reasons. Easy access to world markets, flexible rules and regulations as well as a keen understanding of what international business require are just some of the elements that have been behind the success of Business Bay among global investors. Business Bay is a freehold commercial, residential and business cluster that extends along the Dubai Creek from Ras Al Khor to Sheikh Zayed Road.
By Emirates Today Staff
© Emirates Today 2006
