UAE-based developer Kleindienst Group has confirmed that contractors have started work on its ‘The Heart of Europe’ project on the The World man-made island development in the UAE.  

The Heart of Europe comprises six islands, which include: Mainland Europe, the largest of the islands and inspired by Austrian, Italian, Spanish, German and French architecture, concepts and traditions; Monaco; Sweden; Switzerland; St Petersburg and Germany.

The company said work has now started with the dispatching of 600 tonnes of materials and equipment from the mainland to the islands. Vibro-compaction of all six islands will be the first step in the construction process, preparing them for buildings to be erected. Construction is expected to be completed in late 2016.

Josef Kleindienst, CEO of Kleindienst Group, said compaction has started on the project. “This will be a unique vacation destination providing an authentic experience of some of Europe’s most charming and timeless features. The… islands will offer leading hotels for families and wedding parties, landscaped gardens, climate-controlled plazas, street performers, snow and rain-lined streets and much, much more,” he said.

“Dubai is well-known for its innovation, ambition, excitement and intrigue. It is not afraid of dreaming big and this development is a perfect fit for the emirate,” he added.

The World, master-developed by the Dubai-based Nakheel, is about 9 kilometres wide, 7km long and is 4.5km from the Dubai mainland coast.

Its 300 islands and 27km-long breakwater were completed in 2008. The development adds an additional 232km of beach-front to Dubai’s natural 67km coastline. The development was created by reclaiming 320 million cubic metres of sand and 34 million tonnes of large rocks.