Dh120m project delayed by over six months

An artist’s impression of the Dubai Frame. —Supplied photo

The Dubai Municipality announced on Wednesday that it will start construction-work on the iconic Dubai Frame project adjacent to the Stargate theme park in Zabeel Park next month. The Director-General of the Dubai Municipality, Hussain Nasser Lootah, said: “We have opened tenders and will be giving the assignment to the apt contractor according to our plan.”

The implementation of the Dh120 million project, a window-shaped structure that will give panoramic views of old and new Dubai from a 150 feet-high glass bridge, was ordered in July 2012 with a plan to complete it by this year end.

In May this year, the municipality said the project would be completed by the end of 2014. However, the civic body on Wednesday said the unique structure was expected to be ready by the second half of 2015, after a one-year delay from the last announcement made six months ago.

In the latest statement, the municipality also gave the exact location of the tower at Zabeel Park. Lootah said the Dubai Municipality conducted extensive studies and research to identify the most ideal location for the project. “It was after an (intense) study and extensive consultation that the (location) was decided — near the Stargate of Zabeel Park — which is a famous point for visitors and tourists,” he said in a media statement.

Stargate, an edutainment theme park, is located near the Gate 4 of Zabeel Park in the heart of Dubai. The image released by the Dubai Municipality on Wednesday showed the tower with transparent glass walls in dusk bronze colour.

“Dubai Frame will become one of the most attractive tourist destinations of Dubai, which will bring around 2 million visitors per year from across the globe. We are looking forward to a unique architectural landmark that matches to the global status of Dubai. We expect it will bridge the past and future of Dubai and may become a name linked to Dubai like Burj Khalifa and Burj Al-Arab,” Lootah said.

The conceptual design proposal of the tower by Fernando Donis of the Netherlands was among 926 entries for the 11th ThyssenKrupp Elevator Award and had won $100,000.

As Dubai awaits a positive result for its bid to host the World Expo 2020, it is observed that projects like the Dubai Frame will boost Dubai’s status among other global cities. As the Frame is a unique concept with splendid aesthetic and architectural charm, it is expected to contribute to the tourism economy of the emirate.

sajila@khaleejtimes.com