Nakheel approves designs for 33 floating islands at Dubai’s The World project

Amillarah Private Islands at The World Islands, Dubai. Courtesy Nakheel

A partnership looking to build a series of floating islands at Nakheel’s The World islands off Dubai has gained initial approval from the master developer for its designs.

Kuwait-based Oqyana Real Estate and Amrillah Private Islands (an investment vehicle set up by Dutch Docklands, a floating-developments specialist) said the proposal was the first floating project that Nakheel had officially approved. The partnership’s proposals now need to be submitted to Trakhees (the Department of Planning and Development) and other authorities.

“We look forward to seeing it come to fruition, subject to further approval from the appropriate authorities,” said a spokeswoman for Nakheel.

The partnership announced plans to develop Oqyana World First – a project consisting of 33 man-made islands in the shape of Australasia – at the base of The World islands in January this year.

It said that each island would be completely self-supporting and have its own residence, garden, pool and beach.

The partnership said the project was a “testament to our vision of pioneering unique real estate developments that genuinely break new ground”.

The statement continued, “The cooperation with Amillarah Private Islands underlines our vision to be the leaders in The World”.

Paul van de Camp, Dutch Docklands’s chief executive, said his company was looking forward to building the project.

“We are the only company in the world offering floating private islands tailor-made to client specifications, based on our Dutch heritage of hundreds of years of working with the water,” he said.

Designs for The World’s other floating residential project – the 42 Floating Seahorse villas created by Kleindeinst Group – are said to still be in the negotiation phase.

Follow The National's Business section on Twitter