Dubai has launched a new offshore development between the Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina known as Dubai Harbour.

Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum announced the project on 2 January.

Local holding company Meraas will develop the project that will include a number of components that include a 1,400-berth marina as well as a cruise ship port and terminal, a 325,000-square metre shopping mall, an events arena, residential buildings, hotels, offices, retail stores, public services, restaurants and cafes and a 135-metre tall tower known as Dubai Lighthouse. Altogether it will cover an area of more than 1.86 million square metres. 

The project will be developed in phases with completion scheduled for four years since ground has been broken.

The masterplan integrates Skydive Dubai, Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) and Logo Island into a single community.

For transport connections there will be a road link directly from King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud road, a bridge connecting to Sheikh Zayed road, a monorail link to the metro and the Palm Jumeirah, and a pedestrian and cycling bridge connecting to the Palm Jumeirah’s crescent.

The project’s roads will be designed to enable the destination to host Formula 1 car races.

Meraas will work closely with the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Skydive Dubai to conduct feasibility studies to assess the possibility of using the landing site at Skydive to accommodate private jets.