More investors come on board for Dubailand

11 October 2004
The local I&M Galadari Group signed on 30 September an estimated AED 600 million ($163 million) deal with the UK's Natural History Museum to develop a dinosaur park within Dubailand's $1,100 million Downtown development project.
The local I&M Galadari Group signed on 30 September an estimated AED 600 million ($163 million) deal with the UK's Natural History Museum to develop a dinosaur park within Dubailand's $1,100 million Downtown development project.

The scheme calls for the construction of five giant glass domes, including a temperature-controlled dome for earth, which will focus on the planet's evolution. Each dome will feature electronically-controlled life-size dinosaurs. A separate future zone will also be built. The project is due for completion in 2007.

The designer and project manager is US-based Jack Rouse Associates. Economics Research Associates, also of the US, is the financial consultant. Japan's Kokoro Companywill construct the dinosaurs. The UK's Furneaux Stewart Design & Communicationis the architect.

Downtown will be the focal point of the estimated $5,000 million Dubailand development. Covering 2,000 million square feet, the project will include the world's largest shopping area, Mall of Arabia.

Dubai Tourism & Development Company (DTDC), Dubailand's overall project manager, has also signed an agreement with a UAE-based private investor to develop the Culture & Science World. The project, which is valued at AED 48 million ($13 million), calls for the construction of a development dedicated to the promotion and understanding of the universe, science and Islamic culture.

With a built-up area of more than 1.9 million square feet, the project calls for the construction of exhibition areas, museums, laboratories, a hotel and other related facilities. The project is due for completion by 2006.

DTDC is also preparing to sign three further agreements by mid-October.

The company is in talks with local investors to build a factory outlet - valued at AED 80 million ($21 million), the Dubai Bazaar - estimated at AED 24 million ($6 million), and a new theme park (MEED 18:6:04).

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