Dubai’s ruler revealed a new plan for Palm Jebel Ali, an abandoned, palm-shaped island twice the size of Palm Jumeirah, following a real estate crash in 2009.
The ruler of Dubai unveiled a fresh initiative for Palm Jebel Ali, an artificial island shaped like a palm tree, which has been inactive since 2009 due to a real estate downturn. The new plan, announced on Wednesday, involves reviving the island, which is twice the size of the operational Palm Jumeirah. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is also the vice president and prime minister of the UAE, shared on Instagram that the revitalized Palm Jebel Ali will feature over 80 hotels and resorts, providing exquisite experiences for visitors and tourists.
According to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the vice president and prime minister of the UAE, the proposed Palm Jebel Ali will offer an array of over 80 hotels and resorts, ensuring a delightful experience for its visitors and tourists. The already established Palm Jumeirah is highly coveted and has become particularly popular among Russians who have sought refuge in Dubai following the conflict in Ukraine, contributing to a thriving property market.
Nakheel, the state-owned developer responsible for the islands, was acquired by the government in 2011 as part of a $16 billion (10 billion pounds) rescue plan after Dubai’s real estate crash in 2009-2010. In November, Nakheel secured financing of 17 billion dirhams ($4.63 billion) to expedite its plans for new waterfront projects, including Dubai Islands (formerly known as Deira Islands), another artificial island project.
Dubai, known as the financial and tourism hub of the Middle East, has witnessed the resurgence of its real estate market since early 2021. The government’s swift actions to reopen the economy and airports have played a significant role in this recovery.
The construction of Palm Jumeirah, one of the Palm Islands in Dubai, took approximately six years to complete and involved a total project cost of $12 billion. This iconic island features 17 fronds, each hosting 1,500 beachfront mansions, and an additional 6,000 apartments on its “trunk.”
“The island boasts several prominent hotels and resorts, including Atlantis The Palm and the Waldorf Astoria, which are situated on the crescent of the palm-shaped structure. Other well-known hotel brands like Fairmont and Viceroy can be found on the trunk of the island. The development of new resorts is also underway, such as The Royal Atlantis, located adjacent to the existing Atlantis resort, and Palm 360, a two-tower resort interconnected by a remarkable “sky pool” that stretches 155 meters in length”. – Travel Zoo.
These world-class accommodations and ongoing resort projects contribute to the allure of Palm Jumeirah as a luxurious and sought-after destination for travelers.
Facts About Palm Islands
- Palm Jumeirah, the completed island among the Palm Islands, comprises 17 branches or fronds, along with a central trunk encircled by an 11-kilometer crescent-shaped breakwater. This man-made archipelago spans approximately 5 by 5 kilometers, covering an area equivalent to roughly 800 football fields.
- An intriguing feature of Palm Jumeirah is its artificial reef, which was partially formed by submerging two F-100 Super Sabre jet fighters. The significance behind this action remains unknown, but the reef has become a popular destination for scuba divers to explore.
- A remarkable number of over 12,000 palm trees were planted exclusively on Palm Jumeirah. These trees were nurtured in a nursery located in Jumeirah, Dubai, before being transplanted onto the island.
- The development includes a vehicular tunnel that connects the central trunk to the crescent, providing convenient transportation access. Additionally, a transit monorail runs approximately 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) from the mainland to the crescent, passing through the spine and trunk of the island. The crescent itself is 650 feet (200 meters) wide and stretches around 10.5 miles (17 kilometers) in total length. The project involved the creation of at least 1,380 acres (560 hectares) of new land within a diameter of about 3.1 miles (5 kilometers).
- These features and infrastructure contribute to the uniqueness and functionality of Palm Jumeirah, making it an extraordinary landmark in Dubai.