I have created a new blog called UAE Mega Projects that covers all the incredible Mega Projects of:

> Dubai

> Abu Dhabi

> Sharjah

> Ajman

> Ras Al Khaimah

> Fujairah

> Umm Al Quwain

...in addition, the blog also covers the Mega Projects of:

> Bahrain

> Qatar

> Oman

> Kuwait

> Saudi Arabia

> Lebanon

> Egypt

I have also added 45 different videos and 70 different news feeds to give you the most complete and up-to-date Mega Project information available anywhere.

This link takes you to the UAE Mega Projects blog:

http://uaemegaprojects.blogspot.com

Watch out Silicon Valley....the Gulf is coming after you with the spectacular Entaj Industrial Valley! Located in Saudi Arabia, and part of King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), Entaj is the Middle East's answer to Silicon Valley, USA.

Entaj, being developed by Emaar, will focus on 7 different types of industries:

1.) General Industry. Manufacturing units that are engaged in industrial production using raw materials such as steel, wood, paper, and plastics for the purpose of producing components for large scale, final assembly plants,

2.) High Tech Industry. Capital-intensive commercial enterprises, such as computer chip manufacturers, with a requirement for clean environment capabilities,

3.) Logistics. Industrial establishments involved in warehousing, storage, packaging, and distribution of goods,

4.) Light Industrial Units. Small-scale, expandable industrial units consisting of a minimum of 500 sq m will function as incubators or start up units for specialist or SMEs,

5.) Research and Development. Organizations providing R&D services that can be accommodated in industrial or corporate office type buildings, depending upon the type of industry being researched,

6.) Showrooms and Retail Outlets. Manufacturers and retailers of furniture, kitchen and bathroom equipment, garden goods, cars, and leisure products. These establishments will not only provide valuable retail services to KAEC, but will also play a key role in the development of the City,

7.) Construction. Companies specializing in engineering and construction can take advantage of facilities that offer storage space for equipment and materials that are used to support the variety of services they provide.

Being part of the gigantic King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), the largest Mega Project in the world, businesses locating in Entaj will also be able to take advantage of the integrated facilities located at KAEC including:

- A City Center,

- A Civic Center,

- A Grand Mosque,

- Villas and other residential offerings,

- Golf Course,

- A variety of educational institutions including a university.

Entaj Industrial Valley will put the Gulf on par or better with any other industrial and/or technological "valley" in the world. Entaj will be a powerhouse for the Middle East!

Here is the Entaj website link:

 http://www.entaj.com/home.php

For more information on the UAE/Gulf Mega Projects go to:

http://uaemegaprojects.blogspot.com

Now this is MEGA!! Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud, Richest Arab in the World, and 13th Richest Man on Earth, is spending an incredible $496,000,000 on his new private Airbus 380 "Flying Palace." That's right, HALF A BILLION DOLLARS on his own PRIVATE jet!! WOW!

The Prince spent $320,000,000 for the jet and he is spending another $176,000,000 to customize the jet. This jet itself certainly can be called a Mega Project! Prince Alwaleed sure knows how to live the good life! 

The inside of the jet, when finished, will be a combination Arabian/Super Futuristic theme. The jet will contain a movie theatre, a gym, a sauna and whirlpool bath and even a MISSILE SYSTEM in case someone decides to attack The Prince. Incredible!

I must say I admire The Prince. He truly thinks BIG! He is one of the greatest businessmen in world history. He is truly a great example of what can be accomplished. God Bless Him!

Here is the full story from ArabianBusiness.com:

http://www.arabianbusiness.com/510931-alwaleed-plans-176mn-airbus-refit

For more information on the UAE Mega Projects go to:

http://uaemegaprojects.blogspot.com

The UAE is doing far more than building super luxury Mega Project resorts and business centers. Science and technology are two areas the UAE also wants to become a top player in. Dubiotech, which stands for Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park, will be a leader in UAE Biotechnology and other life sciences.

Dubiotech is being developed in phases and by September 2008 the Nucleotide Complex will be operational. This 4-storey structure will offer laboratory space for life science research.

The Executive Director of Dubiotech,  Dr. Abdulqader Alkhayat, had this to say:

"The Nucleotide Complex demonstrates Dubiotech's serious commitment to developing sustainable buildings that accommodate leading clinical research institutions. In conformity with TECOM's overall strategy, the complex is already classified as a LEED certified 'green' building, reflecting our social and environmental responsibility objectives."

The Nucleotide complex will allow biotech and other life science companies wanting to open up in the Emirates to do so without having to build their own facilities. They simply rent space at Dubiotech. Many companies have already signed on with Dubiotech. They are in the following fields of science:

- Biotechnology

- Pharmaceuticals

- Medical

- Agricultural

- Nanotech

- Medical Devices

- Bioinformatics

Dubiotech represents a big step for the UAE in the huge life science sector. If what the UAE has already accomplished is any indicator, Dubiotech and the future of science in the UAE looks very good indeed!

Here is the link to the Dubiotech website:

http://www.dubiotech.com/home.asp

For more information on the UAE Mega Projects go to:

http://uaemegaprojects.blogspot.com

In my last post I covered the Mega Expansion  in UAE/Gulf airport/aviation projects...the biggest expansion of its kind in the world. This is why the Gulf is expanding so fast:

The Middle East has become the world leader in Global Tourism! The Middle East surged ahead 13% in '07 with a total of 46 million arrivals. This is the largest percentage gain of anywhere in the world...even larger than Asia which increased by 10%.

What really excites me here is that most of the spectacular UAE Mega Entertainment Projects are not even complete yet. Imagine how huge tourism will get when Mega Projects like:

- Dubailand

- MGM Grand Abu Dhabi

- Ferrari Theme Park on Yas Island

- PKN Princess Resort in Ajman

- Warner Brothers Theme Park, Abu Dhabi

- Sega/Emaar Theme Parks

...to name just a few, are complete! It will be INCREDIBLE! As I have been saying for quite some time, the UAE/Gulf will become the entertainment/tourist capital of the world! Over $1Trillion is being spent in the Gulf on Mega Entertainment and Leisure Projects. No other part of the world even comes close. Not China. Not India. Not USA.

The future of world tourism is the Middle East.  

For more information on the UAE Mega Projects go to:

http://uaemegaprojects.blogspot.com  

The world leader in airport/aviation Mega Development is by far the UAE/Gulf Region. The Dubai World International Airport at Jebel Ali is a $8.2Billion project. The Abu Dhabi International Airport expansion is at $6.8Billion! The new Doha International Airport in Qatar is $5.5Billion! Furthermore, Saudi Arabia is spending a whopping $11.3Billion to expand and improve their airports.  Others in the Gulf are jumping on board:

- Bahrain International Airport: $815Million

- Kuwait International Airport: $2.1Billion

- Baghdad International Airport: $2Billion

- Queen Alia International Airport, Jordan: $600Million

The Dubai Air Show keeps getting bigger and bigger! The 2007 Show was the biggest ever. According to Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), and Chairman of Dubai Airports:

"The scale of growth in the show over the past two years - which amounts to some 40% in booked floor space, reflects the massive growth the Middle East's aviation industry is experiencing across all segments. Regional carriers are expanding fleets and networks, there is huge investment in the region's aviation infrastructure, the aviation service sector is attracting a considerable influx in FDI, and the training and development of the industry's regional talent pool is moving forward at pace."

At the air show the largest order in civil aviation history was placed by Emirates Airline of Dubai for the following:

- 120 Airbus 350s

- 11 A380s

- 12 Boeing 777-300ERs

- TOTAL COST?? $34.9Billion!! WOW!!!

I think it should now become clear to you that the UAE/Gulf region of the Middle East is the world leader in Aviation Mega Projects and Developments.

For more information on the UAE Mega Projects go to:

http://uaemegaprojects.blogspot.com

I have been saying for quite some time that the UAE will end up looking like a world 200 years in the future when all these Mega Projects are complete. What does a world of the future need? A spaceport naturally. And of course the UAE with their great NO LIMITS attitude is building one!! In RAK.

This is what Sheikh Al Qasimi of RAK had to say about UAE Spaceport:

"I am proud to announce Ras Al Khaimah as the site where suborbital space travel will begin and flourish. Space Adventures is the pioneer of space tourism, which is why we signed an agreement with them nearly a year ago and began this project. After we initiate operations here we look forward to expanding operations outside of the UAE. In this regard I would like to announce that we have committed an additional $30Million of funding for global spaceport development. We are most excited about spearheading this multi-billion dollar industry."

Wow! We can now see that soon the UAE will become a world leader in space travel! As noted above, RAK has taken a company called Space Adventures as their partner in this project. Another space adventure company, Virgin Galactic, owned by billionaire Richard Branson, is considering locating in the UAE.

Suborbital space travel is a new era for the travel industry. Anyone, with enough money to do so, will be able to travel into space for the adventure of a lifetime...and of course the UAE will be a world leader in this sector of the travel business just as it is in all other areas of travel.

You can read more about all of this here: 

http://www.officeroutlook.com/news/Science/778.htm

http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?id=7906&t=1&c=34&cg=

http://www.spaceadventures.com/index.cfm

For more information on the UAE Mega Projects go to:

http://uaemegaprojects.blogspot.com

Let us travel outside the UAE to Bahrain and cover Sukoon Tower, a new Mega Project being developed by Tashyeed Properties. This 45 floor tower has a unique theme: to bring the outdoors indoors. To that end Sukoon Tower will have vast areas of gardens and water features giving residents an overall feeling of being part of the great outdoors.

According to Dr. Kadhem Rajab, Chairman of Tashyeed:

"At Tashyeed Properties we want to enhance people's lives through the development of new homes and commercial buildings. With Sukoon Tower we plan to develop a landmark project close to the waters edge in Juffair that residents can make their own urban haven. We have worked in partnership with internationally acclaimed architects and interior designers to ensure Sukoon Tower will stand out on Juffair's skyline."

The managing director of Tashyeed, Mr. Redha Rajab, had this to say about Sukoon Tower:

"Sukoon Tower has been designed with the utmost care, due diligence and end user centric attention to detail. Global experts in all disciplines have been engaged to ensure that the design development process culminates in an inspiring and iconic tower to enhance the lifestyle of its residents dotting the Bahrain skyline. The Tower will have a meticulously designed dedicated recreation floor with vast landscaped greenery, water features and a dedicated health club floor to provide its residents with a signature lifestyle. Great care and attention have been made to create unique apartment combination options and offering investors multiple options in their choice of apartment type and area. We are proud to create this tower in Bahrain and invite Bahrainis and other international investors to invest in this unique opportunity."

I think Sukoon Tower will be another fantastic addition to the many incredible Bahrain Mega Projects being developed. Sukoon Tower will offer its residents an unsurpassed lifestyle in the fast paced Kingdom of Bahrain.

Here is the link to the Sukoon Tower website:

http://www.sukoontower.com/default.html

...and here is the Tashyeed Properties link:

 http://www.tashyeed.net/ 

For more information on the UAE and Bahrain Mega Projects go to:

http://uaemegaprojects.blogspot.com

Al Ameera Village is a new Mega residential community being built in Ajman. This is a great looking development that is also very conveniently located. It is only a 15 minute drive from Dubai International Airport. Due to its great location it will attract many, many buyers--both from the UAE and expats from all over the world as well. Al Ameera will contain:

- 50 residential buildings

- A huge shopping mall

- Hotel apartments

- A wide variety of retail shops, restaurants, gardens, parks, a nursery, commercial clubs, fitness centers, etc.

This is going to be a beautiful residential community and will no doubt be sold out fast. Al Ameera Village is being developed by Tameer, a leading developer in the UAE.

Here is the link to the Al Ameera Village section of the Tameer website:

http://www.tameer.net/alameeravillage/

...and here is a very good article about the project:

http://www.ameinfo.com/67658.html

For more information on the UAE Mega Projects go to:

http://uaemegaprojects.blogspot.com

Dubai is going way beyond it's own borders with Mega Project investment. In fact Dubai is buying up Las Vegas! Dubai World recently purchased 50% of the MGM Mirage City Center Mega Project in Las Vegas. I can see why. City Center looks like something right out of the Dubai Mega Project portfolio. It is HUGE. It is SPECTACULAR. In short, it is DUBAI! Dubai World paid $2.96Billion for it's 50% share of City Center.

What is even more interesting is that Dubai World has also purchased 6.5% of the ENTIRE MGM Mirage Corporation. This means Dubai World now owns 6.5% of the following casinos:

- Mirage

- Luxor

- Excalibur

- MGM Grand

- Treasure Island

- Mandaly Bay

- Bellagio

- New York, New York

- Monte Carlo

- Circus Circus

- Railroad Pass

- Silver Legacy Reno

- Circus Circus Reno

- Goldstrike, Jean, Nevada

- Borgata, Atlantic City

- Beau Rivage, Biloxi, Mississippi

- Goldstrike, Tunica, Mississippi

- MGM Grand, Detroit, Michigan

- Grand Victoria, Elgin, Illinois

WOW!! And this is not all. Dubai World also owns 30% of Kerzner International which owns:

- Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas. A gigantic Mega Resort Casino. An exact copy of this resort is being built on Palm Jumeirah, but without the gambling.

- Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, Connecticut, one of the largest casinos in the world. Technically this casino is owned by the Native Americans of Connecticut, but Kerzner developed it and still gets a share of the huge profits this Mega Casino makes.

Looks like some great MEGA investments to me. I know Islam is against gambling, but there are no casino operations in Dubai. The Dubai World casino investments are all in the USA and Bahamas.

Here are some links of interest.

The MGM Mirage City Center link:

http://www.citycenter.com/default.aspx?CMP=KNC-Google-City_Corp

MGM Mirage:

http://www.mgmmirage.com/

Atlantis Resort Casino:

http://www.atlantis.com/

For more information on the UAE Mega Projects go to:

http://uaemegaprojects.blogspot.com

This really surprised me!! I didn't think the UAE/Gulf region would ever see any real competition to the spectacular Mega Projects being built in this area. And then  I heard about Crystal Island, the biggest building in the world. So massive that it will house an ENTIRE CITY within its walls! The architects for this Mega Project are Foster + Partners of London, the same architects who designed The Blue City, Oman.

Crystal Island will  have four times the floor space of the Pentagon in Washington D.C., more floor space than any other structure on Earth....this includes any stucture in the UAE of course. The building will stretch almost 1,500 feet into the sky and will be a multi-use structure. Crystal Island will include 900 apartments, 3,000 hotel rooms, business offices, a school for 500 students, a movie theater, a museum, a sports complex and loads of shops and restaurants....an entire city!

Crystal Island is located in Moscow only 7.5km from the Kremlin. Here is a quote from Norman Foster of Foster + Partners:

“Crystal Island is one of the world’s most ambitious building projects and it represents a milestone in the 40 year history of the practice. It is the largest single building in the world, creating a year-round destination for Moscow and a sustainable, dynamic new urban quarter. It is a paradigm of compact, mixed-use, sustainable city planning, with an innovative energy strategy and ‘smart’ skin which buffers against climate extremes.”

Well, Dubai and the rest of the UAE have a new challenge. They now have to develop a building bigger than Crystal Island. Somehow I don't think the UAE will allow Crystal Island to be the world's largest building for very long. As a matter of fact it would not surprise me if RIGHT NOW Emaar is not planning to outdo the Russians and create a building larger than Crystal Island!

See Crystal Island for yourself here:

http://www.fosterandpartners.com/News/324/Default.aspx

For more information on the UAE Mega Projects go to:

http://uaemegaprojects.blogspot.com

Get ready for spectacular Las Vegas style entertainment in Abu Dhabi! MGM Mirage, one of the biggest casino companies in the world, and Mubadala Development Company of Abu Dhabi, have teamed up to create the Mega Entertainment Project MGM Grand Abu Dhabi. The project will be located on the Abu Dhabi waterfront and take up 50 acres of land. It is expected to cost $3Billion and is projected to be completed by 2012.

MGM Grand Abu Dhabi will consist of 3 seperate hotels, an MGM Grand hotel and two other MGM themed hotels. Although there will be no gambling at any of these hotels there will be world class entertainment and numerous leisure offerings.

One major entertainment feature will be a 12,000 seat arena that will be host to A-List Las Vegas shows that appear at MGM's Las Vegas properties, as well as acts from the Middle East. The world famous Cirque du Soleil is expected to appear at MGM Grand Abu Dhabi as well as a great number of pop stars like Justin Timberlake who has already appeared in Abu Dhabi to standing room only crowds.

MGM Mirage will develop and manage the project for a fee. Mubadala Development, however, will actually own MGM Grand Abu Dhabi. The property, aimed at the high-end market, will have "unparalleled views of the city skyline" and "stunning panoramic views of the waterfront," the companies said in a press release.

This project will also offer elite waterfront residences, spas, high end shops, fine dining, etc. In short, everything you would expect to get in Las Vegas.

As good as all this sounds it is only the beginning. You see this is just phase one of a three phase plan for MGM Grand Abu Dhabi. The next two phases will offer more residential choices including luxury apartments, villas, condos and estates. There will be even more entertainment offerings and many other fabulous options that will be revealed as this project develops.

I think MGM Grand Abu Dhabi will be fantastic for Abu Dhabi and all of the UAE. It will help to make the UAE a world class entertainment and tourist destination. It will add glamour, exciting entertainment and an electrifying nightlife to Abu Dhabi. The world will come! 

Here is a link to Mubadala:

 http://www.mubadala.com/

This link takes you to MGM Mirage:

http://mgmmirage.com/

For more information on the UAE Mega Projects go to:

http://uaemegaprojects.blogspot.com
 

The Arabian Canal is one of the grandest and most expensive Mega Projects in world history....so of course Dubai is doing it!! The total cost of the Arabian Canal will be a whopping $61Billion. Incredible! But that is what Dubai is all about!

The Arabian Canal is being developed by Limitless, the international real estate division of Dubai World. This Mega Project is being developed in two parts:

- The first part is a 75km canal which will go from the Palm Jebel Ali to the Palm Jumeirah. The cost is estimated at $11Billion.

- The second part will be an entirely new city that will run along the canal's southern flank. Estimated cost is $55Billion.

The entire project should be completed by 2010.

According to Saeed Ahmad, Chief Executive Officer of Limitless:

 "Arabian Canal will, without question, be one of the wonders of the engineering world."

...I totally agree!

Here is a direct link to the Limitless website where you can read more about the Arabian Canal and other Limitless projects:

http://limitless.ae/content/default.aspx

For more information about the UAE Mega Projects go to:

http://uaemegaprojects.blogspot.com

Today I will tell you about a world landmark development taking place in Dubai. The project is called Meydan City, and like everything else done in Dubai, is incredible.

Meydan City will be a mixed use development which will center around the Meydan Racecourse. This racecourse will be the LARGEST IN THE WORLD and is expected to be completed by 2010. The racecourse will accomodate 60,000 and will be the new home of the Dubai Racing Club and the Dubai World Cup. There will be at least one 5 star hotel, numerous restaurants, shops, etc

What is even more exciting is that, in addition to the above, an ENTIRE CITY will be built around the Meydan Racecourse. Meydan City will contain numerous commercial and residential projects: office buildings, condos, shops of all kinds, a marina, parks, businesses of all kinds, etc., etc. Meydan City will be an entire self contained work/resort community.

We have something very unique with Meydan City--an entire work/resort city as part of the largest racecourse in the world. There is nothing like this anywhere else. It will become WORLD FAMOUS!

Here is the link to Meydan City where you can see for yourself just how amazing this Dubai Mega Project really is:

http://meydan.ae/

For more information on the UAE Mega Projects go to:

http://uaemegaprojects.blogspot.com

The UAE unveiled a brand new Mega Project called the UAE Railway on Oct. 30th 2007. This is a very exciting project which will create a railway system that will LINK ALL SEVEN Emirates. This is a huge boon for UAE transportation.

The first phase of the project will focus mainly on creating an industrial railway. This rail system will be made up of cargo trains that will carry containers, dry bulk, cement, sand, rock, petro-chemical products, etc. It will take a huge burden off the crowded highways of the Emirates which are loaded down with trucks carrying these things. It will also speed up the transportation of these goods. This phase will take 5 years to complete.

The second phase of the UAE Railway will be a passenger rail line which will be tremendous for travel among the UAE as it too will link all 7 Emirates. The UAE Railway is yet another Mega Project that will bring huge benefits to all of the Emirates. Read more here:

http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm?id=Z...&l=030900071031

For more information on the UAE Mega Projects go to:

http://uaemegaprojects.blogspot.com

There is one event that stands out above all others as the premier Mega Project expo for the UAE and the entire Middle East. That event is Cityscape Dubai. Everyone who is anyone in the world of Middle Eastern real estate development attends. All the great Mega Project developers have exhibits setup with their spectacular projects. They all come, including:

- Emaar

- Nakheel

- DAMAC

- Aldar

- Tamouh

- Sorouh

- Hydra Properties

- Reem Investments

....to name just a few. Cityscape Dubai has in fact become the largest business to business real estate investment and development event in the entire world! At Cityscape Dubai 2007 over 50,000 attended! 

Quote from Cityscape:

"Cityscape Dubai attracts regional and international investors, property developers, governmental and development authorities, leading architects, designers, consultants, and all senior professionals involved in the property industry. It provides an annual forum that celebrates the very best in real estate, architecture, urban planning and design from around the world." 

Cityscape Dubai is a true marvel! Here are some links so you can see it for yourself!

Here is a YouTube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0doIiORnviE

This is a link of some photos a friend of mine took while he was there. Click on any image to enlarge it:

http://projectdxb.com/

This link is to the Cityscape photo gallery:

http://www.cityscape.ae/2007_Photo_Gallery.html

For more information on the UAE Mega Projects go to:

http://uaemegaprojects.blogspot.com

Today we will step out of the UAE and go to Bahrain in order to cover the Bahrain Financial Harbour (BFH). The architecture of all the Bahrain Mega Projects, including the BFH, looks like something out of a science fiction movie 200 years in the future! Truly amazingly futuristic.

BFH looks like some kind of financial Nirvana! If you worked here you would never want to go home!

BFH is: 

"A world class fully integrated waterfront development which will create a complete financial city, a self contained community in the center of Manamma, Kingdom of Bahrain."

More:

"Envisaged as a complete financial city for the global finance sector BFH development uniquely combines business, leisure and residential components and is being developed on a high profile waterfront site. The development has also been designated by the Government of Bahrain as a Strategic Investment Zone, with a unique blend of liberalized conditions to attract private sector participation. BFH offers a highly compelling rationale that makes it a natural choice for any progressive and ambitious financial institution."

BFH is destined to become a primary financial center for the Middle East and, in fact, a financial center for the entire world.

Here are 2 excellent YouTube videos of BFH: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4OIjf9Dr88

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b17qUFxAyxg&feature=related

Here is a link to the BFH website:

http://www.bfharbour.com/html/index.php

For more information about the UAE Mega Projects go to:

http://uaemegaprojects.blogspot.com

Although Ajman is the smallest of the 7 Emirates it is developing fast and a huge amount of real estate development is taking place. In fact, Ajman is in the midst of a real estate boom! Investors are putting billions and billions of dollars into Ajman Mega Projects.

One of the most important Ajman Mega Projects is the Ajman Marina. The Saudi firm Tanmiyat is developing the Ajman Marina at a cost of $3Billion. The plans I have seen of Ajman Marina look great!

Ajman Marina will contain:

- A huge number of residential accomodations including: condos, villas, townhomes and apartments. Eventually there will be 21,000 residents.

- Many commercial buildings which will house a wide variety of businesses.

- A 5-Star hotel and yacht club.

- A great number of leisure and entertainment  offerings, shops of all kinds, restaurants, etc.

The Ajman Marina will take about 5 years to complete. Once finished this project will be a shining centerpiece for Ajman! 

These articles go into more detail about the Ajman Marina:

http://www.arabianbusiness.com/5013...arina-for-ajman

http://propdubai.com/news/935/index.php

http://business.maktoob.com/News-20...xt_level .aspx

...and here is a great article that goes into detail about the Ajman real estate boom:

http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm?id=Z...&l=135100071018

For more information about the UAE Mega Projects go to:

http://uaemegaprojects.blogspot.com

Saadiyat Island is another incredible Abu Dhabi island Mega Project being managed by Abu Dhabi's Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC).

Saadiyat Island will have 6 different regions with the most advanced living and leisure facilities, a 7-Star resort as well as a number of other resort developments, 2 golf courses, 3 marinas, museums, 29  luxury hotels with a total of 7000 rooms, 38,000 apartments and 8000 villas. It is estimated that Saadiyat, once completed, will be home to 150,000 residents.

All 6 regions of the island will be linked by freeways and the island itself will be linked to Abu Dhabi by 2 causeways, each one having a 10 lane freeway. There will also be a light rail transport system. 

Saadiyat will be developed in 3 phases with a final completion date of 2018.

Quote from TDIC:

"Saadiyat is a symbol of Abu Dhabi's renewed economic openness and a signal to the world that this Emirate is very much open for partnerships and business on an international scale."

Wow! Abu Dahbi is really developing some fantastic Mega Projects! I think Saadiyat will be of great benefit to Abu Dhabi as well as all the lucky people who visit this island.

Here is a link to the Saadiyat Island website:

 http://saadiyat.ae/

...and here is a link to TDIC:

http://tdic.ae/

For more information on the UAE Mega Projects go to:

http://uaemegaprojects.blogspot.com

The World is another fantastic premier man made Dubai island project being developed by Nakheel, the same group that gave us the Palm Jumeirah. The World consists of 300 islands designed in such a way that when they are looked at as a group they look like a map of the globe!

The 300 islands of The World will be divided into 4 seperate catagories:

> Estate homes

> Private homes

> Community islands

> Dream resorts

These islands have become very popular and many have already been sold to wealthy businessmen, royalty and celebrities. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are rumored to have purchased an island at The World.

The price of each island varies in cost between $15,000,000 and $50,000,000. Cost depends on the overall size of the island and its location. Needless to say the islands of The World are being built for the super rich market.

Not all islands of The World will be sold to individuals however. Some of the islands are being purchased by developers and will be turned into luxury resorts. One such development is Perseus Resort and Spa. It consists of 2 islands which will contain: a luxury hotel/spa, 44 villas, an apartment complex with 220 units and a marina.

The World is one of the most amazing Mega Projects ever built. It will become a UAE icon!

Here is a YouTube video of The World:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eUcRjo9Yv4

...and here is the website for The World:

http://www.theworld.ae/

This is the website of Nakheel, the developers of The World:

http://www.nakheel.com/

For more information on the UAE Mega Projects go to:

http://uaemegaprojects.blogspot.com

I am sure many of you have seen Donald Trump's reality tv show "The Apprentice." Well the UAE has created its own reality tv show called "The Hydra Executives." This show takes place in the UAE, specifically Abu Dhabi.

The show won't be run by Trump, it will be run by the great UAE real estate developer Dr. Sulaiman Al Fahim, CEO of Mega Project developer Hydra Properties.

Here is a summary of the show:

- There will be 16 candidates, 8 from America and 8 from Britain. 8 men and 8 women

- They will compete against each other in different real estate projects in Abu Dhabi

- The show will last 16 weeks

- The winner gets $1,000,000

- The competition will be fierce for that kind of money!

Here is a quote from Dr. Al Fahim:

"The show will aim to educate and entertain, while simultaneously tapping international entrepreneurial talent to start their real estate venture in the richest and fastest growing development market in the world, Abu Dhabi."

Sounds great doesn't it!!??

Here is the title of an article which was written about the show:

'Abu Dhabi Developer Challenges Donald Trump With Middle East Reality Show.'

...which about sums it all up.

The Hydra Executives sounds FANTASTIC and will be broadcast on Showtime/Infinity TV. This show will be great for the UAE as it will give the entire world a chance to see the incredible business opportunities going on there.

Here is a link to the website of the show:

http://www.hydraexecutives.com/

Here is a link to Dr. Al Fahim's company Hydra Properties:

http://www.hydraproperties.com/

For more information on the UAE Mega Projects go to:

http://uaemegaprojects.blogspot.com

Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) wants to emulate Dubai! Who can blame them? So what do they do?? They develop their own gigantic island Mega Project to rival the Palm Islands of Dubai. This RAK Mega Project is called Al Marjan Island. In fact Al Marjan is made up of 5 man made islands, and yes Al Marjan will be just as impressive as the Palm Island developments of Dubai! 

The 5 islands of Al Marjan will feature:

- At least 10 major hotels

- At least one marina complete with a marina village full of luxury condos and townhomes

- A water themed park with attractions for the whole family

- A variety of luxury resorts

- A wide variety of villa residences including "floating villas."

- Shops and restaurants of all kinds as well as a variety of sports facilities

- Business areas, etc., etc.

Al Marjan Island is being developed by Rakeen and looks amazing. It is right up there with the Palm Islands of Dubai! This Mega Project will do wonderful things for RAK and the rest of the Emirates.

See Al Marjan Island here:

http://www.rakeen.com/projects/Al_Marjan_Island.html

http://www.menareport.com/en/business,/217637

For more information on the UAE Mega Projects go to:

http://uaemegaprojects.blogspot.com

Emirates City is yet another great Ajman Mega Project that is on par with anything I have seen in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Emirates City is a $4.1Billion project owned by the investment group R Holding.

Emirates City will contain:

- 92 commercial and residential towers

- A variety of 5 Star hotels

- Numerous shopping malls

- Medical, educational, sports and fitness facilities

- Parks, playgrounds, lakes, walking paths, etc.

Emirates City has been strategically located on Emirates Road highway which links it directly to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the other Emirates. This excellent location is only a 20 minute drive from Dubai International Airport.

Here is a YouTube video of the project:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eD3mvxC0MVU

You can read more about Emirates City here:

 http://www.rholding.com/holding/property/emiratescity/

http://propdubai.com/realestate/location/19/index.php

For more information on the UAE Mega Projects go to:

http://uaemegaprojects.blogspot.com

In keeping with Abu Dhabi's plan to become a worldwide tourist destination, YAS Island, a $40Billion Mega Project being developed by Aldar, was launched in 2006 and construction began this year. The entire project is estimated to take 10 years for full completion. 

Yas Island is being developed as a premier world class entertainment destination which will offer a huge variety of tourist attractions including: luxury residences, resorts, hotels, shopping of all kinds, numerous entertainment opportunities, golf, marinas, equestrian facilities, etc. One of the major attractions of Yas Island will be the first ever Ferrari World Theme Park:

"The Ferrari Theme Park is a branded themed entertainment destination offering a range of 24 themed attractions for the entire family. The 70 meter high G Force Tower is one of the most exciting rides you can enjoy. For the first time a twin rollercoaster ride allows you and a companion to race against each other. You can go-cart enjoy rally driving and dune buggies in the theme park. It also offers an 18 screen theatre complex and a multitude of food and beverage outlets."

A gigantic motor race track is being built which will host a number of very popular racing brands including NASCAR.

Yas Island will become a primary destination for world travelers and another jewel in Abu Dhabi's crown.

Here is a YouTube video of Yas Island:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HrQV66SIUo

Here you will find alot more information on Yas Island:

http://www.yasisland.ae/index.php

http://www.aldar.com/

For more information on the UAE Mega Projects go to:

http://uaemegaprojects.blogspot.com

Umm Al Quwain (UAQ) is the least well known and least developed of the seven Emirates. However UAQ does have an amazing Mega Project going up called Al Salam City. This project will be built in 3 phases over a 15 year period. Al Salam City is being developed by Tameer.

Al Salam City will consist of a number of residential districts, highrise towers, parks, playgrounds and entertainment centers. The downtown area of the project will contain:

- A huge shopping mall

- A 50 storey hotel tower

- 20 residential and commercial towers

- 1000 residential villa townhouses

- 200 residential buildings

...and much more.

Al Salam City is being built to accomodate HALF A MILLION RESIDENTS making it one of the largest Mega Projects in the UAE.

Al Salam City will be great for UAQ as well as the entire UAE!

Here is a YouTube video on the project:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMi1-hXnF3Y

...and here is more info to read:

http://www.alsalamcity.net/

http://www.tameer.net/

http://www.ameinfo.com/79608.html

For more information on the UAE Mega Projects go to:

http://uaemegaprojects.blogspot.com

The Palm Jumeirah is one of the most incredible Mega Projects in world history. Some call it the eighth wonder of the world! Being developed by Nakheel, it is also one of the most well known of the UAE Mega Projects. I remember when I first saw the plan for The Palm back in 2001! I never thought Dubai, or anyone else, could build such an amazing manmade island. But Dubai did it-- and is building 2 other Palm Islands as well! Today I will cover only the Palm Jumeirah beacause this Palm Island is the most developed of the three.

The Palm Jumeirah is built in the shape of a gigantic date palm tree, with a trunk, 17 fronds and a crown all surrounded by a crescent island that acts as a water break. The Palm is an ultra high luxury residential and resort development that offers a wide variety of mansions, villas, apartments, condos and town homes.

The Palm Jumeirah will be home to some of the most luxurious residences, hotels and resorts anywhere in the world including:

- Palm Trump Hotel and Tower. Even the great Donald Trump Is part of Palm Jumeirah!

- The Atlantis Hotel. This hotel/resort is an amazing fantasy world unto itself.

- Fairmont Palm Residence. Ultra Luxury residences.

- Palm Golden Mile Residences. A beautiful stretch of 700 apartments all on the water. The Golden Mile will also contain some of the most expensive shops in the world.

- Marina Residences. Six luxury buildings located on the water.

- The Emerald Palace. A 7 Storey showplace featuring beautiful neo classical architecture. It really does look like a palace.

- There will even be a monorail that goes directly into The Palm!

...and there is more to The Palm Jumeirah! Much more! Here are some links so you can see for yourself:

http://www.thepalm.ae/

http://www.nakheel.com/

http://www.marinaresidences.ae/index.php?intro=no

For more information on the UAE Mega Projects go to:

http://uaemegaprojects.blogspot.com

Nujoom Islands is the largest real estate development project currently taking place in Sharjah. Nujoom is being developed by Al Hanoo Holding Company, will cost approximately $5Billion and take 5 years to complete.

Nujoom will consist of 10 islands linked by a series of bridges. About 60% of the project will be beautiful landscaped areas including parks, beaches, walkways and gardens. The remaining 40% will be a wide variety of commercial, residential and business developments including:

- 145 apartment buildings

- 2 resorts

- 40 highrise towers

- A variety of entertainment centers

- 1400 villas with either park of waterfront views

- 4 hotels

- 5 marina clubs

- Shopping malls

- A variety of commercial and industrial centers

- Schools, hypermarkets, restaurants, mosques, etc., etc.

Nujoom Islands once complete will house over 40,000 residents and literally be the "Shining Star" of Sharjah. 

Here is a good YouTube video of the project:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=mly_qnqkeZ8

And here is more information for you to review:

http://nujoomislands.com/

http://www.alhanoo.net/projects_nujoomislands.php

For more information on the UAE Mega Projects go to:

http://uaemegaprojects.blogspot.com

Ajman may not be as well known as Dubai or Abu Dhabi but Ajman is in a real estate boom right now and developing very, very quickly! Ajman has many Mega Projects being built. Today I will tell you about one of my favorites and one of the most interesting, PKN Princess Resort.

PKN Princess Resort is about as close as you will ever come to Las Vegas in the Emirates. In fact, PKN Properties - the developers of the project - are saying that the resort will bring "Las Vegas style" living and entertainment to the UAE, and will be unlike any other project ever attempted in the UAE!

Furthermore, the resort will even CONTAIN A CASINO...but without the gambling. A number of big movie stars are also involved in the project including Patrick Swayze who was brought to the unveiling of the project. I have heard rumors that Caesars Palace will be involved in this project. Some are even speculating that one day gambling WILL take place here. Who knows?  

PKN Princess Resort will contain: luxury villas, mansions, chalets and condos. The resort complex will have: luxury hotels, mid and high rise towers, shopping malls, cinemas, fitness clubs, a Las Vegas Style Entertainment Casino and much more! This is a truly exciting and amazing UAE Mega Project.

Find out more about PKN Princess Resort here:

 http://yaarproperties.wordpress.com/category/location-info/pkn-princess-resort/

http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_20102007_10161550

http://www.ameinfo.com/135267.html

For more information on the UAE Mega Projects go to:

http://uaemegaprojects.blogspot.com

One of the most spectacular of the UAE Mega Projects is The Lagoons which is being developed in Dubai by Sama Dubai. The project will cost $18 Billion and will cover 70 million square feet making it one of the largest real estate projects in history.

The Lagoons will be made up of 7 different interconnected islands linked to one another by bridges. These islands will contain a wide variety of residential options as well as: shopping malls, marinas, office buildings, 5 star hotels, a central business district, an art center, a light railway passenger system, etc.

What really amazes me about The Lagoons is the Dubai Towers project being built there. Dubai Towers consists of 4 of the most architecturally unique buildings I have ever seen. Each tower literally curves up from the ground and looks like nothing you have ever seen before. You must see the Dubai Towers to fully appreciate its grandeur.

You can see The Lagoons and read more about it here:

 http://www.lagoons.ae/

 http://www.sama-dubai.com/portfolio/default.asp 

For more information on the UAE Mega Projects go to:

http://uaemegaprojects.blogspot.com

Today I will tell you about a wonderful Mega Project going up in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) called RAK Financial City. RAK is not nearly as developed as Dubai or Abu Dhabi but RAK is developing fast and has many great Mega Projects planned.

RAK is attracting businesses from all over the world to open up in its freezone and investment is pouring in! Mark my words, RAK will be BIG!

RAK Financial City is being developed by the RAK Investment Authority, RAKIA. This City will be comprised of 12 super modern amazing looking towers and will be the center of business for RAK.

RAK Financial City will offer business, financial, logistic and insurance services in a freezone environment.

From the developers:

"RAK Financial City has been designed to provide a masterpiece with genuine modern day offerings that insure leading and effective business activities. In tandem with the state of the art facilities and amenities, RAK Financial City will be a vibrant and dynamic urban space complimented by nature allowing the center to also act as a major tourist attraction."

RAK Financial City is truly a first class Mega Project that will greatly benefit RAK.

Read more and see the project here:

http://archive.gulfnews.com/busines...t/10132603.html

http://www.ameinfo.com/123203.html

For more information on the UAE Mega Projects go to:

http://uaemegaprojects.blogspot.com

This Rich List was just released by Arabian Business and I think many of you will enjoy reading it. These are the richest and most powerful Arabs in the world. Alot of them are involved in many of the UAE Mega Projects I will be covering here.

Enjoy! Let the Billionaires begin:

http://www.arabianbusiness.com/richlist

For more information on the UAE Mega Projects go to:

http://uaemegaprojects.blogspot.com

Reem Island is by far one of the most impressive Mega Projects going on right now in the UAE. The project is so massive that 3 different developers are working together on it. They are:

- Sorouh

- Tamouh

- Reem Investments

> Reem Island is a combined residential, commercial and business project being built on a natural island off the coast of Abu Dhabi City, and will be directly connected to Abu Dhabi City by a number of bridges. Reem Island is located only 20 minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport.

> When complete Reem Island will house between 250,000 and 350,000 residents in some of the most modern and beautiful residences in all of the UAE.

> Reem Island will contain numerous hotels, resorts, beaches, spas, shopping malls, restaurants, medical clinics, businesses of all kinds, a 27 hole golf course and much more.

> One of the business and residential projects going up on Reem Island is Addax Port. Addax is a huge port project that will contain 5 towers, one tower will be purely for business while the other four will be residences.  

> Najmat Abu Dhabi is another huge project going up on Reem Island. Najmut will be a very luxurious "total community" located on the waterfront of Reem Island. Najmat is being developed by Reem Investments.

> Sorouh is developing the Sky Tower and Shams Abu Dhabi. Shams will be another super modern self contained community on Reem Island that will house 60,000 residents. The Sky Tower in a strikingly beautiful 74 storey skyscraper and will be one of the most prestigious residences on Reem Island.

> Tamouh is building a number of amazing Reem Island projects including: Marina Square, City Of Lights and Fantasy Island. Marina Square and City Of Lights are both mixed use projects that will house residents, businesses and other commercial enterprises. Fantasy Island will be a seperate entertainment island built soley for the residents of Reem Island.

Here are some links that will give you much more information on Reem Island:

http://reemisland.com/

http://reeminvestments.com/default.html

http://www.sorouh.com/Default.aspx

http://tamouh.com/

http://addaxport.com/

For more information on the UAE Mega Projects go to:

http://uaemegaprojects.blogspot.com

Hello everyone! My specialty is the many, many incredible Mega Projects going on in the UAE/Gulf Region. In this blog I will be covering the Mega Projects of:

- Dubai

- Abu Dhabi

- Sharjah

- Ras Al Khaimah

- Ajman

- Umm Al Quwain

- Fujairah

...as well as:

- Bahrain

- Qatar

- Saudi Arabia

A total of $2.4 Trillion is being spent on  2837 projects. This is the biggest construction boom in the world and many of the Mega Projects being developed are truly incredible!

In my next post I will be covering Reem Island, Abu Dhabi.

Here is an excellent article from Zawya with more details on the construction boom in the Middle East:

http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm?id=ZAWYA20071125080227&l=080200071125&zawyaemailmarketing

For more information on the UAE Mega Projects go to:

http://uaemegaprojects.blogspot.com

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