- Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre at The Dubai Mall a key opening day attraction
- 32.88 m wide x 8.3 m high panel is the largest of its kind in the world
- Acrylic panel built to maximum production specifications worldwide
- Bigger than panel at Churaumi Aquarium in Okinawa; current record holder
Dubai, UAE: Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre in The Dubai Mall, which opens its doors on November 4, 2008, has clinched the Guinness World Record for the 'World's Largest Acrylic Panel'. The record-breaking achievement bears testimony to the sheer magnificence of Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre, a key opening day attraction in The Dubai Mall. The aquarium itself is free to view for mall visitors.
Measuring 32.88 metres wide x 8.3 metres high x 750 mm thick and weighing 245,614 kg, the acrylic viewing panel at Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre surpasses the current Guinness World Record holder, Churaumi Aquarium in Okinawa, Japan, at 22.5 metres wide x 8.2 metres high and 600 mm thick. The new record is expected to be featured in the upcoming edition of the Guinness Book of World Records in 2010.
The acrylic viewing panel at Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre was at the limit of production abilities by major acrylic manufacturers when the project was commissioned. This implies that the Guinness World Record for the 'World's Largest Acrylic Panel' at Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre is set to stay until industry-approved manufacturing capabilities are redrawn to enable the production of bigger panels. The viewing panel was commissioned under the supervision of Oceanis Australia Group, the aquarium designer and operator.
At 750 mm thick, the acrylic viewing panel is built to withstand the enormous pressure of 10 million litres of water used in the aquarium, but transparent enough to give visitors clear views of the 33,000 plus marine animals on display.
Mr Yousif Al Ali, General Manager, The Dubai Mall said: "Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre at The Dubai Mall is setting history with the Guinness World Record for the 'World's Largest Acrylic Panel'. With this record-breaking achievement, we are also highlighting the capabilities of Emaar and Dubai to undertake and execute projects of global significance."
He added: "Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre has been one of the most highly anticipated key attractions at The Dubai Mall, as it brings the splendours of the marine world to the people of Dubai. We specially designed the acrylic viewing panel to offer larger-than life views of the sharks, rays and 33,000 living animals on display. The Guinness World Record adds to the world-class experience to this attraction and it's free to view for all our visitors."
Mr John Pilley, Adjudicator, Guinness World Records said: "Dubai has many exciting world record achievements and now The Dubai Mall will join that illustrious list with the 'Largest Acrylic Panel', once again reiterating the can-do attitude of Dubai. This is a terrific Guinness World Record and exemplifies the dedication and passion that make some of our best records."
The Dubai Mall is one of the world's largest shopping and entertainment destinations. Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre is one of the opening attractions and will feature over 33,000 aquatic animals in due course, representing more than 85 species including sharks and rays. A 270-degree walkthrough tunnel allows for some incredible close-encounter experiences to delight mall visitors. Above the aquarium is the interactive and educational Discovery Centre, taking the visitor through various aquatic environments.
Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre is being developed and operated by Oceanis Australia Group, the world's largest aquarium owner and operator - both by number of customers and volumes of display. The Dubai Mall has adopted an International Standard of Ethics and Animal Welfare Policy in the development and operation of Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre, and is in line with international best practices of animal care and aquarium operation.
With a total internal floor area of 5.9 million sq ft, The Dubai Mall will have 3.77 million sq ft of gross leasable space and host more than 1,200 retail outlets including two anchor department stores, Galeries Lafayette and Bloomingdale's and will feature over 160 food and beverage options.
Other attractions at The Dubai Mall include the Olympic-size Dubai Ice Rink, Fashion Avenue, a 440,000 sq ft haute couture precinct; The Grove, an indoor-outdoor themed streetscape; the region's first SEGA indoor theme park covering 76,000 sq ft; KidZania, an 80,000 sq ft children's 'edu-tainment' centre; and a 22-screen Cineplex, the largest in Dubai.
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About Emaar Malls Group LLC:
Emaar Malls Group LLC, is the retail and shopping mall subsidiary of Emaar Properties PJSC, a leading property developer based in Dubai, and drives its diversification into shopping malls. This is in line with Emaar's Vision 2010 to become one of the most valuable companies in the world. Emaar has announced investments in shopping malls of over US$4 billion (AED 15 billion) with 10 million sq ft of retail property in operation or under development in the emerging markets of the Middle East, North Africa, the Indian Subcontinent and South Asia and is on target to become one of the largest developers of shopping malls in the world.
At the forefront of these developments is the flagship The Dubai Mall, one of the world's largest malls in the heart of the Downtown Burj Dubai. Opening on November 4, 2008, The Dubai Mall will be a premier lifestyle and entertainment destination. Emaar Malls Group is also developing two other malls in Dubai; Souk Al Bahar, an Arabesque shopping and entertainment development on The Old Town Island which is now open, and the Dubai Marina Mall, a lifestyle shopping mall for residents of the Dubai Marina community opening in late 2008. Recently, Emaar Malls Group unveiled Cairo Gate, Egypt's largest shopping mall and leisure destination at the Cairo-Alexandria Project site, a mixed-use development spread over 160 acres.
About Emaar Retail:
Emaar Retail is a wholly owned subsidiary of Emaar Malls Group LLC and is the vehicle for all retail operations. Emaar Retail is developing a portfolio of brands in key growth markets and is strategically building new alliances, joint ventures, franchises and licenses for all mall developments under the Emaar Malls Group umbrella.
Emaar Retail also manages the business operations for The Dubai mall's leisure and entertainment brands including KidZania, SEGA Republic, the Olympic-sized 'Dubai Ice Rink' and Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre. Emaar Retail has also entered into a joint-venture with Cathay Organisation in Singapore, to form Reel Entertainment to develop cinemas across the region including the flagship 22-screen Cineplex at The Dubai Mall.
Emaar Retail was established to drive Emaar Malls Group's developments in key emerging markets across the Middle East, North Africa and the Indian Sub-Continent through creating the right retail mix for the various markets.
About Emaar Properties PJSC:
Emaar Properties PJSC is one of the world's largest property development companies and is rapidly evolving to become a global provider of premier lifestyles. Emaar Properties, which has a strong presence in 36 global markets, has expanded into shopping malls in line with its Vision 2010 to become one of the most valuable companies in the world through a two-pronged approach of geographic expansion and business segmentation. For more information visit www.emaar.com.
For further information, please contact:
Kelly Home
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
Tel: (+971 4) 334 4550
Email: k.home@asdaa.com
Roisin Lillis
Email: r.lillis@asdaa.com
Press Release 2008
