Dubai’s explosive buildout may be no better exemplified than its construction of a series of palm-shaped islands directly offshore of the coastline. Discernable from space, the islands will host a number of pricey, ultra-luxury developments for a wealthy clientele drawn to the emirate’s business centers and leisure resorts.
Occupants of villas and apartments built on fronds of Dubai’s 560-hectare artificial Palm Jumeirah island this month are to begin moving in as the project’s first phase nears its end. The estimated $6-billion residential and hotel development is the first of three palm-shaped reclamations that will increase Dubai’s waterfront from 70 kilometers to nearly 600 km.