Hydropolis, the world’s first luxury undersea hotel, is set to open in 2009. Located off the coast of Dubai, in 66 feet under the Persian Gulf (known locally as the Arabian Gulf), the resort will encompass 260 hectares (1.1 million square feet), and contain 220 hotel suites. The complex will also contain a ballroom, a shopping mall, and a missile-defense system against terrorists.
The $520 million project is being developed and designed by Joachim Hauser, who says he was inspired by Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. The resort is being built on the last free piece of beach property on this particular coast, of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktourm, Crown Prince of Dubai.
The form of the hotel will be a figure eight, lying on its side, encompassed in a circle. The forms in the figure will contain restaurants, meeting areas, bars, and themed suites. Passengers will enter Hydropolis through a noiseless train moved along by a cable.
Hydropolis will not be a dive resort. It’s being developed specifically to cater to those who do not even swim, as a way for them to enjoy the undersea world. Hauser says, “We are expecting around 3,000 visitors per day in addition to the hotel guests. The aim is to inspire people to develop a new awareness of the sea.” A chain of underwater hotels is now being planned. Nine countries including Oman, Monaco, and China (for the Yellow Sea) have shown interest.
0 comments:
Post a Comment