Foundation work has begun on The Crescent ' the retail and entertainment component of Dubai Festival City.
'After six months of foundation work, it will be able to track, the development of The Crescent that is set to be the jewel in the crown of Dubai Festival City and which will be complete in 2006,' said Omar Al Futtaim, chief executive officer of the Al Futtaim Group, the company behind the 'city-within-a-city' project.
Dubai Festival City ' the waterfront destination being developed on the banks of Dubai Creek ' will offer 2.5 million sq ft of retail and entertainment.
The Crescent is designed to be a waterfront entertainment and retail centre inspired by the finest festival marketplaces in the world and is 2 km from Dubai International Airport.
Its 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 complemented by cafes, restaurants, and entertainment venues,' says Al Futtaim.
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 including an active marina, a waterfront promenade and canals with water taxis surrounded by a canal walk.
'Themed pavilions with a children's market, a speciality gallery and food exhibitions and a host of food and beverage outlets, will als o be featured. The Crescent will have parking for 7,000 vehicles underground. Close to The Crescent will be a value retail centre that will have a further 5,000 parking slots totalling 12,000 car parking spaces.
Dubai Festival City is being developed on 1,600 acres on the banks of Dubai's historic Creek. Comprising 15 distinct development zones, Dubai Festival City is a property development by the Al Futtaim Group and is the Middle East's largest, privately-funded mixed-use real estate project.