Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has announced his latest plans for Dubai: the development of a new island off the coast of Jumeirah Beach Residence. The Sheikh is Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and also the Ruler of Dubai, and his vision for the city-state is grand.
The project will be known as Bluewaters Island and it will include various entertainment, retail, residential, and accommodation areas, including a 5-star hotel for visitors. It is already estimated that tourists will visit this place in great numbers: over 3 million people every year. The reason for this is the fact that the island will hold the world’s largest Ferris wheel, measuring 210 meters (689 feet) in diameter.
This is Arabian extravagance at its best, the construction of which will begin this spring (April 2013). Also known as the Dubai Eye, the giant wheel has two main contractors: Hyundai Contracting and Starneth Engineering. The plans look great, as you can see in the gallery below, and we can’t wait to gaze at the real thing! This bold project will cost approximately $1.6 billion.
