Nov 1, 2009 – Dubai Marina quarter, Dubai, United Arab Emirates – SIME / eStock Photo

• It’s chic to park your yacht next to a sheikh.
  Especially here
• Where do the rich and famous go to ski the icy slopes?
  They come to the Middle East, of course
• It’s one thing to hear about air-conditioned beaches and skyscrapers shaped like sailboats.
  It’s another thing to see them
• Vast wealth + political stability = man-made islands shaped like palm trees.
  Like this one

Dubai Marina is a district in the heart of what has recently become known as ‘new Dubai’, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is located at the Interchange 5 between Jebel Ali Port and the area which hosts Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and the American University in Dubai. The first phase of this project has been completed. Dubai Marina was inspired by and designed to model the highly successful Concord Pacific Place development along False Creek in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

The marina is entirely man-made and has been developed by the real estate development firm Emaar Properties of the United Arab Emirates. The first phase of Dubai Marina covers 25 acres, which includes six freehold waterfront apartment towers (Dubai Marina Towers) and 64 luxury villas connected by a network of rooftop gardens that are divided around each tower. Three of the towers are named after precious stones, Al Mass, Fairooz and Murjan and the other three are named after Arabic scents, Mesk, Anbar and Al Yass.The Phase II of Dubai Marina consists of over 200 high rise buildings and includes the Al Majara Towers and Al Sahab twin towers by Emaar. Upon completion, it is claimed to be the world’s largest man-made marina. Unlike other parts of Dubai there is a publicly accessible foreshoreway around the marina and some sections of public oceanway along the beach with views to Palm Jumeriah. The current largest man-made marina in the world is Marina del Rey in California, USA. The Highrise skyscrapers of phase II of Dubai Marina includes, supertall skyscrapers, Pentominium, Damac Heights, Princess Tower, Marina 101, Marina 106, Elite Residence, and 23 Marina.