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Launched in 2001, The Palm, Jumeirah is the project that started it all. A man-made island in the shape of a palm tree, the extraordinary Palm, Jumeirah increased Dubai’s shoreline and created a superb destination of world-class hotels, extraordinary retail, an array of home types and exceptional leisure and entertainment, all anchored by Trump International Hotel and Tower. |
Just five year in the making, the Palm Jumeirah is now a reality. A stunning feat of design, engineering and architecture, Palm Jumeirah stands as a magnum opus and an eighth wonder of the world. The year 2006 has witnessed 500 customers being handed over with their dream homes, and the next phase of delivery in due in the middle of 2007.
The making…
Before the start of the massive construction phase of the Palm Jumeirah an extensive study, focusing on the design, costal processes, infrastructure development and probable costs were conducted to define the feasibility of the project.
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In 2001 the first step was taken to create part of the crescent-shaped break water to protect the reclamation work from rough seas. The Crescent is constructed from rock, while all the islands within it are built from sand. The breakwater stands in 10.5 |
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metres of sea at its deepest point and, now completed, rises to a height four metres above 'chart datum' – the nautical term for sea level at low tide. The breakwater was designed to protect The Palm against the worst sea conditions imaginable, including Shamal-induced waves, a ‘once-in-a-100-years’ storm and even the effects of global warming.
With the Crescent securely in place, 4,888,000 cubic metres of rock were positioned to create the land foundations of the inner island. Dredgers then began working around the clock to transfer an astonishing 92,234,000 cubic metres of sand to build up the landmass.
At the peak period there were 10 dredgers working simultaneously, along with numerous other types of vessel, including tug boats, barges and launches. More than 1,000 people were working on site, and in the case of some dredger crews, many simply lived on board their ships for the duration of the two-year project.
Engineering journals around the world have featured The Palm Jumeirah as an example of a remarkable engineering achievement. The National Geographic also dedicated a one-hour documentary programme on the creation of the island.
Palm Jumeirah… NOW!
Getting closer to completion, the Palm Jumeirah is more than halfway through its construction phase. The handing over of the residences have already started, the first phase of 500 luxury villas have been handed over to their owners. The second phase of residential handing over is due in the middle of 2007. Next comes the tourism phase which will take 2 to 5 years for completion.
