The traditional Arabian night market on the Deira Islands in Dubai will be ready to receive the first buyers and tourists by the end of 2018.
Ali Rashid Luta, chairman of Nakheel, the Dubai-based Deira island developer, said the project for the large-scale Night Souk, a traditional Arab bazaar that stretches 1.9 km along the coastline, will be completed by the end of 2018.
This means that the first guests will be able to visit the 5.3 thousand pavilions that are already available for rent, as well as 96 cafes and restaurants, in less than 2 years.
Conceived as a modern interpretation of a traditional Arabian bazaar, Night Souk is located in close proximity to the Deira Mall on 4 artificial islands. This mall, by the way, is considered one of the largest in the world. Here, on the islands, hotels, resorts, residential and commercial facilities, an amphitheater with a capacity of 30 thousand people and marinas will be launched. It is expected that more than 280 thousand residents will live on Deira Islands. The predicted number of new hotel rooms is 50 thousand units. The project is expected to create 80 thousand new jobs. The night market and promenade will provide residents and tourists with a retail component, according to Nakheel's plans.
Infrastructure work on the island's project is ahead of schedule. As a result, 40 km will be added to the Dubai coastline, including 21 km of beaches.
In December 2016, a road bridge was opened connecting the mainland with the islands, stretching from Al Khaleej Road to Deira Islands A. Last month, Nakheel issued tenders related to the design and construction of six berths that can accommodate up to 600 yachts, including super- yachts. One of the six berths will be used to service the night market.
In January, Nakheel and the Thai company Centara Hotels and Resorts signed an agreement to create a 550-room, beach resort with an aqua park on the Deira Islands. This is the second international, joint venture company in the area. The first was an 800-room resort with a water park, the project of which will be implemented together with the Spanish RIU Hotels & Resorts.
In addition to Deira Mall, the night market, resorts and marinas, Nakheel is building 16 residential towers, five hotels and two serviced apartment complexes.
