An ambitious AED 5.5 billion (US$ 1.5 billion) project within Dubailand, Falcon City of Wonders, was launched at a grand ceremony held Saturday, 10 September, 2005 at the Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai, in the presence of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Dubailand is one of the biggest leisure, entertainment and tourism destinations in the Middle East region, spread over an area of 3 billion square feet.
Shaped after the Falcon, which is symbolic of UAE’s heritage, the Falcon City of Wonders is a unique, purpose-built community project featuring structures based on the wonders of the world, such as the Pyramids, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Light House of Alexandria. The project is spread over an area of four million square metres, and is divided into five overlapped phases, with the first phase expected to begin by the first quarter of 2006.
Saeed Al Muntafiq, Director General of Dubai Development and Investment Authority, said, "Falcon City of Wonders is one of the most ambitious projects to come up in the city of Dubai, and will significantly enhance the city's appeal as a tourist hub. By capturing the spirit of ancient civilizations and recreating the architectural marvels of the world, at the same time combining it with modern facilities, the project offers a truly unique experience to visitors."
"Falcon City of Wonders is unparalleled in the uniqueness of its concept and the broadness of its scope," said Salem Al Moosa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Falcon City of Wonders LLC. "The project will effectively be a land of civilizations, creating an exotic ambience for visitors, while educating them about the culture, tradition and lifestyles of people from different ages. It is this distinctive nature of Falcon City of Wonders that sets it apart from developments elsewhere in the region."
The project will bring together the wonders of the world under a single umbrella. While the Grand Pyramid of Giza will contain residential flats, offices and retail outlets, the Babylonian Gardens will comprise luxury apartments, restaurants and coffee shops. The Light House of Alexandria will consist of hotels and retail outlets. Luxury apartments and retail outlets will be the main features of the Eiffel Tower, whereas the Taj Mahal will comprise hotels and restaurants. The Great Wall of China will encircle the Pharaohs Theme Park located within the fun city.
Falcon City of Wonders will feature a unique exterior based on the Falcon, with a number of elegant villas and compounds constituting the Falcon wings. The project comprises apartments, villas, shopping malls, hotels, restaurants, health clubs and spas, schools and parks.
"With its collection of entertainment, residential and educational facilities, Falcon City of Wonders is set to be the most comprehensive multi-purpose development in the region. While the project will feature a wide array of developments, each of them will have a distinct identity and appeal," Al Moosa said.
Mahmoud Rayyan, Project Manager, Falcon City of Wonders, said, "All the structures have been conceived following careful consideration with exhaustive attention to detail, to deliver a unique visitor experience. Falcon City of Wonders has already signed agreements with leading local and international design offices to develop concept design for the major constituent structures of the project."
Falcon City of Wonders is a purpose-built community project within Dubailand, featuring structures based on famous sites and the architectural marvels of the world, such as the Pyramids, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Spread over an area of 4 million square metres, it is shaped to represent the falcon, emblematic of the UAE's heritage.
The project will combine various commercial, residential, educational and leisure amenities with entertainment facilities, and will include apartments, villas, shopping malls, hotels, restaurants, health clubs and spas, schools and parks, in addition to a Pharaohs Theme Park. Falcon City of Wonders is designed to be a land of civilizations, tracing the lifestyles and culture of people from different ages and from different parts of the world.
© 2005 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
