The Palm Jemeriah Development in Dubai continues to takes shape as more and more people move into their residences and construction continues. This man-made island development is one of the most unique residential developments in the world. 5 km across, it is located off the coast of Dubai, UAE and is in the shape of a palm tree with 17 fronds and an outer barrier island.
The 1.4 km sub-sea tunnel that connects the tip of the palm fronds to the outer island is approaching completion, according to a recent report in Middle East news website AME Info (www.ameifno.com ). Once finished and open for traffic it will help to speed up work of the projects on this part of the development, including 20 new hotels. With hotel occupancy rates in Dubai at 83%, the faster these properties are ready the better, notes online travel site Travel Mole (www.travelmole.com ).
The 38 meters wide tunnel has three parts to it: two outer tunnels will carry vehicular traffic and have pedestrian walkways, while an interior cell will be reserved for emergency use and services. The top of the tunnel is 10 meters below sea level and there is a 125 meters wide navigation channel that runs over the tunnel. Construction on this tunnel began in October 2004 and is set to finish in May, 2007.
Two of the first hotels on the Islands will be the Palm Trump International Hotel and Tower and The Atlantis. The Trump Hotel will be the luxury centerpiece of the Palm Golden Mile on the trunk of the islands. A 60-storey mixed use condo-hotel, this is a joint venture between Donald Trump’s Trump Organization and Palm Developer Al Nakheel. There will be a 300 room five star hotel and 360 freehold residential apartments.
At the farthest point from land on the crescent island the other major hotel is taking shape. Atlantis, The Palm will be a 1,500 room destination resort with two wings spreading out from an Arabic- dome shaped arch. The property will be home to the largest open-air marine habitat in the Middle East with 65,000 marine animals on display.
Both the Atlantis and Trump properties are scheduled to open in early 2009.
A selection of Dubai Real Estate
