Dubai to build towering botanic wellness retreat in heart of city

Sheikh Hamdan says Dh2 billion resort will open in 2028 in Zabeel Park

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, has unveiled plans for a Dh2 billion ($545 million) wellness resort in the emirate.

The Therme Dubai project will be the world's tallest well-being centre, standing at 100 metres, featuring an interactive park and the world’s largest indoor botanical garden − all able to host 1.7 million visitors a year.

It is part of the Quality of Life Strategy 2033, which was launched last year by Sheikh Hamdan.

“This ambitious road map aims to establish our city as the world's best place to live,” said Sheikh Hamdan on X.

“Building on this strategy, we announce Therme Dubai − the world’s tallest well-being resort. This landmark Dh2 billion development will feature an interactive park and the world’s largest indoor botanical garden, designed to host 1.7 million visitors annually.”

The facility will be based at Zabeel Park and is expected to open in 2028.

“Therme Dubai will be an iconic addition to Dubai’s skyline,” Sheikh Hamdan said. “This innovative project reflects our commitment to enhancing urban biodiversity and environmental sustainability, and creating enriching experiences for Dubai's residents and visitors.”

The Therme Dubai project will be the world's tallest well-being centre, standing at 100 metres.

The flagship scheme will feature a Michelin-star restaurant, three 18-metre waterfalls and 4,500 square metre indoor and terrace pools. A large-scale play area will include 15 waterslides and a variety of art installations.

Championing sustainability

The vast building's striking design will have sustainability in mind, harnessing advanced technologies for water treatment, heating and cooling. The resort will recycle 90 per cent of the water used in its thermal pools, while 80 per cent of its fresh air and cooling needs will be met through clean energy sources.

The indoor botanical garden will be at the heart of a drive to use nature to promote well-being. It will house more than 200 plant species from all over the world.

A luxurious family retreat

The major project will be divided into three main areas; a play zone, a relax zone and a restore zone.

The play zone will be a family-friendly area, offering a host of entertainment and health-themed activities for both adults and children.

The relax zone will cater to adults and will offer indoor and outdoor relaxation pools, mineral pools, steam rooms, and natural treatments using mineral-enhanced water.

The restore zone will serve as a tranquil escape, complete with saunas, steam rooms, and mineral treatment baths.

Therme Dubai is designed by global architectural company, DS+R (Diller Scofidio + Renfro), which has previously overseen notable projects such as The Shed, a cultural centre in New York City and the University of Chicago building.

Planning for future well-being

The Quality of Life Strategy was introduced in May last year by Sheikh Hamdan. The project is due to be carried out in three phases by 2033. The scheme aims to increase the length of beach cycling tracks by 300 per cent, extend the length of night swimming beaches by 60 per cent and designate new beaches for women.

More than 30 parks with new designs are to be developed across the emirate by 2027. It will also see 1,000 annual sport, community, cultural, artistic and entertainment events with allocated areas for entertainment, tourism and hotels to increase by 134 per cent.

“Caring for people remains the cornerstone of Dubai’s sustainable development strategies. The well-being of individuals is the ultimate objective of our development plans and the primary criterion for the success of government programmes,” Sheikh Hamdan said at the time.

“Our objective is to establish Dubai as one of the world’s best cities in terms of well-being, offer every resident a healthy, active, and enjoyable lifestyle, build a society that takes pride in its identity and cultural diversity, and offer the highest quality of leisure and entertainment.”

Under the strategy, more than 115km of pedestrian and cycling tracks will be constructed and more than 3,000 trees and plants planted.

In December, Dubai announced another large-scale initiative with aimed at transforming the emirate into a “year-round pedestrian-friendly city” in support of a long-term drive to improve the quality of life of its citizens and residents.

The Dubai Walk Master Plan will include walking network featuring 112km of waterfront paths, 124km of green walking paths and 150km of rural and mountain paths.