For close to two decades at this point, the United Arab Emirates has been home to a variety of stunning architectural marvels that defy belief — from the famous Burj Khalifa tower to indoor ski parks and a variety of ultra-luxe hotels.
That said, there are still plenty to come — with even bigger, better, and more opulent constructions planned for the next few years — here are the most exciting ones of all:
Moon Dubai
Proposed and co-founded by Sandra G. Matthews and Michael R. Henderson, this lunar-themed resort is designed to be built in 48 months, cater to a tourist base of 2.5 million people, and will have an overall height of 735 feet (224 meters). While cost details are currently under wraps, JP Morgan analysts have estimated the project to cost around $5 billion. Now that’s an out-of-this-world price!
Wynn Casino Resort, Ras Al Khaimah
A big game changer for a region not normally associated with gambling, American casino giant Wynn will be investing around $2 billion in a massive, sprawling hotel complex with over 10 restaurants and bars, 1,000+ rooms, and plenty of exclusive features. The Vegas Strip-inspired property will be built off-shore, on Ras Al Khaimah’s Al-Marjan Island.
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi
One of the most architecturally complex additions to the Saadiyat Cultural District skyline, this Frank Gehry-designed masterpiece will be the biggest Guggenheim Museum in the world and feature contemporary, modern pieces from the biggest names in 20th and 21st-century art. Expected to cost just over $1 billion, the 320,000 square foot property will combine four levels of art galleries with a stunning array of glass bridges.
Zayed National Museum
A massive tribute to the man who built the foundations of the UAE, the upcoming Zayed National Museum will be built close to the aforementioned Guggenheim, and feature a wide variety of exhibits exploring the cultural, religious, historical, scientific, and political achievements of the Emirati world. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Lord Norman Foster to embody the form of a falcon’s wings, the museum will be built over a sprawling 250,000-square-foot complex.
Meydan One
When it opens, the Meydan One Mall in Mohammed Bin Rashid City will be home to the world’s longest indoor ski slope, a one-kilometer slope in Meydan One Mall’s 12,000-square-metre Winter Village. The mall is likely to snag the title of the world’s largest dancing fountain, with its record-breaking water feature measuring 25,800 square meters.
Lead Image: meydanone.com
