Maximalism in Dubai

[Ensign Steve]

This is Palm Jumeirah (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Jumeirah), one of three palm-tree-shaped manmade islands in Dubai, called The Palm Islands (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Palm_Islands):
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/06/Palm_Island_Resort.jpg/300px-Palm_Island_Resort.jpg

The World (http://www.theworld.ae/) is another island array, still under construction.
http://guide.theemiratesnetwork.com/living/dubai/images/the_world/the_world_dubai.jpg
The 300 individual islands are about 1.5 acres apiece, and are available for sale.

This is the Sailboat Hotel:
http://www.maximalism.nu/photos/uncategorized/burj_al_arab_hotel_2.jpg
Do you see the helipad at the top right?

Check out this tennis match (http://www.marshu.com/collection-architecture-dubai-burj-al-arab-tennis-helipad-andre-agassi-roger-federer.php) between Andre Agassi and Roger Federer on the helipad:
http://www.marshu.com/images-website/collection-architecture/burj-tennis-helipad-tennis/burj-al-arab-tennis-helipad-andre-agassi-roger-federer.jpg

According to my reliable source (a friend at work), this is where Tiger Woods (http://www.marshu.com/collection-architecture-dubai-burj-al-arab-emirates-helipad-tiger-woods-golf.php) shot the world's longest drive:
http://www.marshu.com/images-website/collection-architecture/burj-al-arab-hotel-emirates/burj-al-arab-dubai-hotel-sail-arab-emirates-tiger-woods-playing-golf-002.jpg

I borrowed the term "maximalism" from this website about the hotel:
Maximalism: Dubai's Sailboat Hotel (http://www.maximalism.nu/maximalism/2005/11/dubais_sailboat.html)

[Nullifidian]

Check out this tennis match (http://www.marshu.com/collection-architecture-dubai-burj-al-arab-tennis-helipad-andre-agassi-roger-federer.php) between Andre Agassi and Roger Federer on the helipad:

I can just see the conversation during the match:

"Out!"

"Damn it! That's the seventieth lost tennis ball today!"

[Ensign Steve]

I tell you what, I don't care if it's 4 feet in, I'm not running after it if I'm not sure.

[viscousmemories]

I watched a video about the first two projects around here somewhere...

[Cynical-Chick]

I watched some History Channel special on the Burj al-Arab. Awesome building with a really cool construction history.

[Deadlokd]

There was an awesome series on Australia's Discovery Channel on them a little while ago. The logistics were amazing. Each island requiring so much stone, rocks, sand etc. The trucks ferrying the rocks 24 hours a day, the quarry running out of the rocks required. The whole project is a monument to excess.

[livius drusus]

I saw a show about those islands on Discovery too. Engineering Marvels or some such thing. It was totally fascinating.

I'm quite charmed that there is still a Sun King type out there building the equivalent of a dozen Versailles a year, only they get a lot wider use than the original.

[Deadlokd]

That was it. You get the use if you can afford the price tag. I've heard $20 000 per night at that hotel and a million dollar price tag on the smallest of The World islands.

[Ensign Steve]

That's it? I would have thought more.

[Deadlokd]

Hmmm, I was wrong. A little more? A lot more (http://www.findaproperty.com/displaystory.aspx?edid=00&salerent=0&storyid=6846). 10.8-36 million US per Island.

[LadyShea]

On the one hand, I see it as art on a supergrand scale and the creativity astounding. On the other hand it seems a reckless waste of money. Are the citizens of Dubai also fairly well off on the whole?

[Ensign Steve]

The UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus. Despite largely successful efforts at economic diversification, about 30% of GDP is still directly based on oil and gas output, and the fortunes of the economy fluctuate with the prices of those commodities. Since the discovery of oil in the UAE more than 30 years ago, the UAE has undergone a profound transformation from an impoverished region of small desert principalities to a modern state with a high standard of living. The government has increased spending on job creation and infrastructure expansion and is opening up its utilities to greater private sector involvement. In April 2004, the UAE signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) with Washington and in November 2004 agreed to undertake negotiations toward a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US. Higher oil revenue, strong liquidity, and cheap credit in 2005-06 led to a surge in asset prices (shares and real estate) and consumer inflation. Rising prices are increasing the operating costs for businesses in the UAE and degrading the UAE's allure to foreign investors. Dependence on a large expatriate workforce and oil are significant long-term challenges to the UAE's economy.

It's still hard to tell whether the cash and the high standard of living makes it to the lowest rung. It says unemployment is at 2.4% and population below poverty line is "N/A" but I imagine that means they just don't have the figures? :shrug:

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ae.html

[Watser?]

They have a wellfare state for citizens AFAIK. Most of the actual work is done by foreigners (who may have been there a long while but aren't citizens).

[Ensign Steve]

Ooo, must be nice.

[JoeP]

Who's been to Dubai?

Every now and then business opportunities come up there. Should I accept the chance next time the company asks me to go for a few weeks?

[Ensign Steve]

Hell yes! I'd go, anyway. Free trip to exotic locale on the company dime? Try and stop me!

[livius drusus]

I've never been, but a bunch of my classmates in high school were from the Dubai. They had more gold jewelry than anyone I've ever seen, and that includes :mrt:. Apparently it was cheap as hell there.

If it's still like that, you should go just to stock up on anniversary presents well in advance.

[godfry n. glad]

You want "maximalism"?

Here is maximalism. (http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=2941931&Business=true)

Now that they are moving their HQ to Abu Dubai, shouldn't there be a movement to extricate them from supplying the US military or receiving no-bid contracts from the US government. I mean, I understood that there was a "US company preference" for those kinds of things. They will no longer be a US company, if their HQ is in Abu Dubai....unless, of course, Dubai is applying for statehood.

[Watser?]

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are different emirates
:psst:

[godfry n. glad]

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are different emirates
:psst:

:trip:

thanks

[Qingdai]

I wonder how much the sea level has to rise before all those artificial islands go under?

[Petra]

I know a couple of nurses who have been to Dubai to work for the big bucks for a year or two. They loved it!

I also think I must have seen the same program on teevee about the islands and hotels in Dubai. They really are stunning in their design and opulence.

I hear they are building an undersea hotel, too. That should be pretty amazing.

[Dingfod]

Don't forget Ski Dubai:

http://www.condohotelcenter.com/images/dubai-ski.jpg (http://www.skidubai.com/)

[godfry n. glad]

I wonder how much the sea level has to rise before all those artificial islands go under?

Good question.

It seems to me that if they built them this much...just keep building up the islands. It's just money.

Wretched excess.

[ChuckF]

Harper's has a photo spread about Dubai this month. Interesting stuff. I have a standing invitation to visit from a friend who's an expat there. I'd love to take advantage of it sometime.

[erimir]

I do hear that the foreign workers there have relatively shitty living conditions and next to no civil rights (they can be deported at the government's whim).

Doesn't Queen of Swords live there?

[Stormlight]

Didn't she move to Canada some time ago?

[Ensign Steve]

Yah, she moved. Anyway, I know she lived in UAE, but I'm not sure on the city.

[trientalis]

I'm glad to hear she made it out and I hope she's living a good life in Canada.

[Kevlar]

Now if we invaded countries like this, I'd be a lifer in the Army.

[Shake]

Who's been to Dubai?

Every now and then business opportunities come up there. Should I accept the chance next time the company asks me to go for a few weeks?

Well, if they're going to put you up at the hotel shown in the o.p., the Burj-al-Arab (http://www.burj-al-arab.com/), then I'd definitely jump at the opportunity!

[Crumb]

YouTube - The first World Dynamic Architecture in DuBai project

[MonCapitan2002]

I find it hard to believe it can be pulled off.

[Crumb]

Me too.

[Petra]

Who's been to Dubai?

Every now and then business opportunities come up there. Should I accept the chance next time the company asks me to go for a few weeks?

Mum and Rita are going there in April. Rita has some friends living there and has heard brilliant things about it. They say that it is truly very multicultural, and that on one street, getting along about their business, are people of all walks of life - from women in full burkhas to women in skimpy clothing, etc, etc. Apparently no one really bats an eye at the diversity, it's just normal for them. I'll let you know what they think of it when they return.

Wish I could upload a great power point presentation I have on developments in Dubai. Fookin' amazing!