by Andre Sanchez

The Palm Jumeirah is the smallest of the three planned artificial Palm Islands being built off the coast of Dubai in the shape of palm trees. It is currently the world’s largest man-made island and designed for both residential and tourist use. Built using natural materials, the Palm Jumeirah foundations began in 2002, and five years later the first apartments are almost ready for use.
 
Undoubtedly, when completed, this amazing structure will be the worlds most famous resort, underlining Dubai as the fastest growing city in the world. The island complex has been built with a Crescent breakwater designed to promote the development of marine life and natural reefs which will eventually be a magnet for scuba divers the world over.
 
The tourist accommodation is of the highest possible order, with the Lighthouse Hotel on the Crescent designed to concentrate the morning sun into the interior and light up the night sky right across the Gulf with a magnificent arc of light projected from the roof. There is an accompanying residence, the apartments of which are available on leasehold and due to be completed in 2007. There will be other residential properties scattered round the various parts of the island group.
 
When completed, this offshore city will be billed as the eight wonder of the world, a symbol not only of unbelievable wealth, but also of man’s ability to craft such wonders from the sea. This is a land reclamation project to beat all others although it has not all been plain sailing and there are still problems to be resolved.

It is claimed that many of the buildings are very close to each other and the finishing of some may not be all that it could be. However, as with all very large projects, these problems will undoubtedly be resolved, though local residents are somewhat inconvenienced by the amount of traffic and construction that is under way. Nevertheless, it is an amazing achievement for such an ambitious and complex project to be more on less on schedule for its completion date of 2010.
 
The Palm Islands project is part of Dubai’s ambition to overtake Las Vegas as the leisure capital of the world, and to rival cities such as Singapore and Hong Kong as a business and commercial center. It will undoubtedly remain a significant world tourist attraction for many years and most of the planned residential facilities have already been taken up.
 
Shopping is top class, ranging from fashion boutiques to sports shops and supermarkets, both outdoor and in specially design retail outlets. Everything is on offer from daily living necessities to super luxury tourist goods and fantastic jewelry. There is a theme park and even a circus on the island and special events will provide a continually changing range of entertainment and attractions, so that residents and tourists will always have something new to keep them busy and entertained.  
 
The range of restaurants available will suit every taste and ranges from traditional gourmet western food to outdoor cafes and themed meals in the variety of hotels which are situated throughout the island.
 
If you want privacy, the Golden Mile offers residences with private beaches and private clubs for residents only. Each will be serviced to the highest standard and will provide residential luxury rarely available in even the most desirable neighborhoods elsewhere in the world.  The Golden mile also offers a range of shops and leisure facilities in addition to cafes and hotels.

The crown of Palm Jumeirah consists of seventeen fronds, each forming a secluded private residential area, and the whole development is protected from the sea by the large crescent shaped breakwater that can stop a 12 foot wave. When finished the Crescent will be home to the finest selection of boutique hotels the world has ever seen, including the Lighthouse, and there is a new Trump hotel planned for the trunk that is of a split-linked tower design.

Without a doubt, the Palm Jumeirah will be a new wonder in what is currently the hottest real estate on the planet. A visit to Dubai would not be complete without a visit to this wonder and if you are looking for a retirement pad, you could certainly do worse. At the moment demand for accommodation is exceeding supply, but it is expected that this will be reversed during 2007 and prices may tumble. If you can live with unparalleled luxury, the Palm Jumeirah is the place for you.