New convention centre planned for Dubai

Dubai is to build a new AED 1.8 billion (US$490 million) convention centre near Dubai Creek, it was announced last week.

Dubai Municipality said the new facility will be completed in two years, after gaining the approval of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice- President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The centre, which will span 55,000 square metres, will be located in the Al Jaddaf area, next to the new Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, overlooking the creek and facing Dubai Festival City, revealed Dubai Municipality director general Hussain Nasser Lootah.

“The complex will feature two hotels, offices and halls that will have all the facilities needed for international conferences or exhibitions that Dubai will host, all under one roof,” he said. “It will also be an iconic landmark in Dubai because of its architecture.”

Dubai Municipality is working in partnership with Dubai Holding to build the convention centre complex.

The project will include Sheikh Rashid Hall, which is designed like a theatre and will be able to accommodate 10,000 people.

The hall will boast a 30-metre-high ceiling and will be ideal for staging international conferences, seminars, meetings, concerts and theatrical shows.

It will be divided across three levels and kitted out with the latest technology.

There will also be five sub-halls — multi-purpose and conference halls — that cover a total area of 10,500 sq ft. Each hall will have the capacity for 1,000 people.

They will be linked to the hotel and office building by the Concourse Building - an air-conditioned glass corridor lined with shops and restaurants.

Other buildings will include a 33-storey three-star hotel and a 48-floor four-star hotel.

A basement parking area will have capacity for 1,800 cars.