Dubai Festival City to offer 2.5million sq feet of retail and entertainment

"This is the start of this huge construction component of Dubai Festival City which will result in one of the biggest and varied retail and entertainment offerings in the Middle East," said Omar Al-Futtaim, CEO of the Al-Futtaim Group, which is developing the 'city-within-a-city.'

"After six months of foundation work, Dubai will be able to track, in particular, the development of The Crescent, which is set to be the jewel in the crown of Dubai Festival City and will be complete in 2006."

The Crescent is designed to be a waterfront entertainment and retail centre inspired by the finest festival marketplaces in the world and just two kilometres from Dubai International Airport. Its unique architectural design, dominated by generous civic plazas and waterfront experiences, has been created by the award-winning American architectural firm, HOK.

"Dubai's first High Street retail offering, which will have no less than 400 shops, cafes and restaurants, will be home to 10 international flagship retailers, leading into a two-level, enclosed retail environment which will be complimented by unique restaurants, cafes and entertainment venues," said Mr Al-Futtaim. "It will be a beautiful setting for meeting, dining and shopping and will be the main component to provide Dubai Festival City with its 'sense of place.'"

At the heart of The Crescent will be the Grand Boulevard, Festival Square and an elevated entertainment zone.

The Crescent will cascade with water features - there will be an active marina, a waterfront promenade and canals with water taxis surrounded by a canal walk.

"The Crescent will deliver a range of experiences for all ages and nationalities," said Phil McArthur, Director Leasing & Marketing, Dubai Festival City. "There will be themed pavilions with a children's market, a speciality gallery and food exhibitions and a host of food and beverage outlets, most of which will be seen for the first time in Dubai.

The Crescent will have parking for 7,000 vehicles underground. Close to The Crescent will be a value retail centre which will have a further 5,000 parking slots totalling 12,000 car parking spaces.

"Visiting Dubai Festival City will be easy with access from the Emirates Road, the Garhoud and Maktoum bridges and direct access from the proposed new bridge across the Creek, which will feed into The Crescent," said McArthur. "And given the destination's 'down-town' location and close proximity to the airport, visitors will arrive by land, by sea and air."