![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EOCXRKQMCOXPWAM7ILZLJLZNEY.jpg?smart=true&auth=e462a7424f94a59e536380f20e96cf7ad33212f7024f6330c2b2d7e6a69ed4cb&width=400&height=225)
light show lit up the night skies. Stephen Lock / The National
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Spectacular fireworks marked the grand opening of Atlantis, The Palm, in November 2008. Photo: AFP
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Former Basketball player Michael Jordan at the launch party on November 20, 2008. Photo: Getty
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Charlize Theron was among the A-list arrivals at the hotel. Stephen Lock / The National
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Robert De Niro and Ronnie Wood at the resort's Nobu restaurant during the opening weekend. Photo: Getty
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Wesley Snipes at the launch event. Stephen Lock / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XJJYUIFQNYBNDXYTWQZOTJ4TKY.jpg?smart=true&auth=89fb9d598c27dc618d863afdb3bfcc94055726e54453fae521e52bc9a59e8432&width=400&height=225)
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, at the launch party. Stephen Lock / The National
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Fireworks lit up the entire perimeter of Palm Jumeirah. Photo: AFP
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Fashion designer Matthew Williamson and actress Mischa Barton. Stephen Lock / The National
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British singer Lilly Allen. Stephen Lock / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XRTPV33B7PA67MMMAZT3LIUG5M.jpg?smart=true&auth=786d4ab03e00fa5dcc2eba7e2c2c5029bd394b80062ee85b3dc9a6f0511acdc5&width=400&height=225)
Atlantis, The Palm, illuminated in the colours of the UAE flag. Stephen Lock / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PL4VCNYRTFHP4JFZMPOQQQ6XNA.jpg?smart=true&auth=5101ba0136c691333b169d7270d8fdd0063799520f25edefd41baa87afa0151a&width=400&height=225)
Quincy Jones at the launch. Stephen Lock / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UMNXD3UP4NF7HBDLDGM2D6NFAY.jpg?smart=true&auth=75d12056e2831f31845c70103b5a787380fd301b3781edf49811e9d8d8835016&width=400&height=225)
Singer Natalie Imbruglia, Sir Richard Branson, Lady Joan Branson, Holly Branson and Sam Branson. Photo: Getty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3XJ2TWCQNXEO2L24TW7PRHPTXU.jpg?smart=true&auth=d12920d6253e95d56a456097c229f8f3524a33e3d30492ed5925705966cb01dc&width=400&height=225)
Boris Becker at the red carpet. Stephen Lock / The National
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Kylie Minogue ahead of her performance. Stephen Lock / The National
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Kylie Minogue performed at the opening. Photo: Getty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LX2OXNWFNJ3ZOA3CI65XVKFVM4.jpg?smart=true&auth=eb7662ddc96314c0c55babd6e51dd93b4faeba1e6bca89ac5e3d42f3412fcb22&width=400&height=225)
The fireworks were preceded by a light show. Stephen Lock / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MGOV5J2PLDSB4TW3FY7C546ZZE.jpg?smart=true&auth=c6cab6d8c5fe31136c3d1e95eb6932a5938c9e3bcce46b4365b8e1880662ac0e&width=400&height=225)
Actor Rhys Ifans. Stephen Lock / The National
Lebanese singer Nawal Zoghbi. Photo: Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/J67DSOWRRRDCMGP6UZFWKKS6WI.jpg?smart=true&auth=cbc97aae1b45ffa30c2e6821d11fec789b992cac42a760b60e0675a9e6ffd103&width=400&height=225)
Designer Mary-Kate Olsen. Stephen Lock / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6J3UGSGIGFGTRK6VYRWIIBMDEM.jpg?smart=true&auth=c95ce7e3e2c69adcd32a972ae420b9bed169973a856e114f6fa0af785e29cc78&width=400&height=225)
DJ Samantha Ronson at the after party. Photo: Getty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2UFY7X5KVAJJPDKDXNHKCXLBCM.jpg?smart=true&auth=0a7b9954a009626f1cabf159ef3494cb975fa1e20b589884f1c7de20a39201e2&width=400&height=225)
Fireworks dazzled the spectators. Stephen Lock / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Z3G4KSWZ2O4HXOUP2RK7HDQVDU.jpg?smart=true&auth=f13556174ba6011d1c0d39d32c2931492d1e59cabe5712e5747382fb8d76c253&width=400&height=225)
Lindsay Lohan. Stephen Lock / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/G4T53YMLUHULE6VGTZNFNIX5PA.jpg?smart=true&auth=ce00789404ae95f1fcf219b93a3e0340b93b12e856cce78d2088c577797a49b7&width=400&height=225)
Priyanka Chopra. Stephen Lock / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FY4QL2IAAVSAM4DHLNFC3DAVSU.jpg?smart=true&auth=94a89b077d4719c9eadb1e320b61833bc99fd8d27e2faf757e92906c17537e68&width=400&height=225)
Luxury jewellery designer Jade Jagger. Stephen Lock / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EOCXRKQMCOXPWAM7ILZLJLZNEY.jpg?smart=true&auth=e462a7424f94a59e536380f20e96cf7ad33212f7024f6330c2b2d7e6a69ed4cb&width=400&height=225)
light show lit up the night skies. Stephen Lock / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CHGFU3PDWPEKC7D7LHUYUL566A.jpg?smart=true&auth=0a3fff84bda6c189702a6c4f5c6db2f3abdbd834c0c11ba621937eb48b9f6dfc&width=400&height=225)
Spectacular fireworks marked the grand opening of Atlantis, The Palm, in November 2008. Photo: AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RRX3NLOK2ZEBNA4ILWAPSXTMMI.jpg?smart=true&auth=1a4b8561c424ddb00af66d3098070cf4e14e08badba1a6b06c03c49451743feb&width=400&height=225)
Former Basketball player Michael Jordan at the launch party on November 20, 2008. Photo: Getty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6C35D5UX4DJZBZXKX35YHOH7N4.jpg?smart=true&auth=d7ece7767078a4ef8f9f76647a46a665e34f0f52ee231fa50e62a1b494dccb2e&width=400&height=225)
Charlize Theron was among the A-list arrivals at the hotel. Stephen Lock / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TGI26SLAFZCVVPJJZCVLFOQJSE.jpg?smart=true&auth=54deb030d9f6aab69d8eccfef57ec6fe4bf5863ea8a2d2f65017575c7ce36028&width=400&height=225)
Robert De Niro and Ronnie Wood at the resort's Nobu restaurant during the opening weekend. Photo: Getty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IC2Y7XYIE2CNUHEBQDAJQIOLNA.jpg?smart=true&auth=19ebe31885d481ba11ffe4257c00dc22469ac706f1b7196ff5967e265b98179e&width=400&height=225)
Wesley Snipes at the launch event. Stephen Lock / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XJJYUIFQNYBNDXYTWQZOTJ4TKY.jpg?smart=true&auth=89fb9d598c27dc618d863afdb3bfcc94055726e54453fae521e52bc9a59e8432&width=400&height=225)
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, at the launch party. Stephen Lock / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FR4HRVARZAV3ULHGQABYMMLBGU.jpg?smart=true&auth=d1e20752b9ee51c0c60d8a6407cc426c94c8c18bb5b201e6df7e1f0355d1b1f2&width=400&height=225)
Fireworks lit up the entire perimeter of Palm Jumeirah. Photo: AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TLYAQJUIFPLVJWZ5OHUV77NNNQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=2945cbb21187ba03da6a868f28970f5b1ab10f4c107626128a30e4be9e530bb7&width=400&height=225)
Fashion designer Matthew Williamson and actress Mischa Barton. Stephen Lock / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PESE7YG54C425H4BUTPB4LR3NI.jpg?smart=true&auth=e459dfbed826f93437978349f4c36c51e1ac8f1ac5725f8a0a9e2d3ef311a0fd&width=400&height=225)
British singer Lilly Allen. Stephen Lock / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XRTPV33B7PA67MMMAZT3LIUG5M.jpg?smart=true&auth=786d4ab03e00fa5dcc2eba7e2c2c5029bd394b80062ee85b3dc9a6f0511acdc5&width=400&height=225)
Atlantis, The Palm, illuminated in the colours of the UAE flag. Stephen Lock / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PL4VCNYRTFHP4JFZMPOQQQ6XNA.jpg?smart=true&auth=5101ba0136c691333b169d7270d8fdd0063799520f25edefd41baa87afa0151a&width=400&height=225)
Quincy Jones at the launch. Stephen Lock / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UMNXD3UP4NF7HBDLDGM2D6NFAY.jpg?smart=true&auth=75d12056e2831f31845c70103b5a787380fd301b3781edf49811e9d8d8835016&width=400&height=225)
Singer Natalie Imbruglia, Sir Richard Branson, Lady Joan Branson, Holly Branson and Sam Branson. Photo: Getty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3XJ2TWCQNXEO2L24TW7PRHPTXU.jpg?smart=true&auth=d12920d6253e95d56a456097c229f8f3524a33e3d30492ed5925705966cb01dc&width=400&height=225)
Boris Becker at the red carpet. Stephen Lock / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZC4KOS7KFBT7UMUDFHBT6AFWJQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=57f1f204aae6c9e56941a800e0c8d7058d568cab719bd07d9d4328b2a3880267&width=400&height=225)
Kylie Minogue ahead of her performance. Stephen Lock / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YWJME3NOMNH3RPMOEU2H6IV3RE.jpg?smart=true&auth=967ef5b640719ad34ffe8b525238ff72304afc2f83c4585940788a9656d9e843&width=400&height=225)
Kylie Minogue performed at the opening. Photo: Getty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LX2OXNWFNJ3ZOA3CI65XVKFVM4.jpg?smart=true&auth=eb7662ddc96314c0c55babd6e51dd93b4faeba1e6bca89ac5e3d42f3412fcb22&width=400&height=225)
The fireworks were preceded by a light show. Stephen Lock / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MGOV5J2PLDSB4TW3FY7C546ZZE.jpg?smart=true&auth=c6cab6d8c5fe31136c3d1e95eb6932a5938c9e3bcce46b4365b8e1880662ac0e&width=400&height=225)
Actor Rhys Ifans. Stephen Lock / The National
Lebanese singer Nawal Zoghbi. Photo: Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/J67DSOWRRRDCMGP6UZFWKKS6WI.jpg?smart=true&auth=cbc97aae1b45ffa30c2e6821d11fec789b992cac42a760b60e0675a9e6ffd103&width=400&height=225)
Designer Mary-Kate Olsen. Stephen Lock / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6J3UGSGIGFGTRK6VYRWIIBMDEM.jpg?smart=true&auth=c95ce7e3e2c69adcd32a972ae420b9bed169973a856e114f6fa0af785e29cc78&width=400&height=225)
DJ Samantha Ronson at the after party. Photo: Getty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2UFY7X5KVAJJPDKDXNHKCXLBCM.jpg?smart=true&auth=0a7b9954a009626f1cabf159ef3494cb975fa1e20b589884f1c7de20a39201e2&width=400&height=225)
Fireworks dazzled the spectators. Stephen Lock / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Z3G4KSWZ2O4HXOUP2RK7HDQVDU.jpg?smart=true&auth=f13556174ba6011d1c0d39d32c2931492d1e59cabe5712e5747382fb8d76c253&width=400&height=225)
Lindsay Lohan. Stephen Lock / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/G4T53YMLUHULE6VGTZNFNIX5PA.jpg?smart=true&auth=ce00789404ae95f1fcf219b93a3e0340b93b12e856cce78d2088c577797a49b7&width=400&height=225)
Priyanka Chopra. Stephen Lock / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FY4QL2IAAVSAM4DHLNFC3DAVSU.jpg?smart=true&auth=94a89b077d4719c9eadb1e320b61833bc99fd8d27e2faf757e92906c17537e68&width=400&height=225)
Luxury jewellery designer Jade Jagger. Stephen Lock / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EOCXRKQMCOXPWAM7ILZLJLZNEY.jpg?smart=true&auth=e462a7424f94a59e536380f20e96cf7ad33212f7024f6330c2b2d7e6a69ed4cb&width=400&height=225)
light show lit up the night skies. Stephen Lock / The National
When Atlantis, The Palm opened in 2008, it attracted A-listers in full force
There were record-breaking fireworks, celebrities galore and a performance by Kylie Minogue
![Sophie Prideaux](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F12f775da-e760-44f0-9421-603001dd6073.png?smart=true&auth=a1d8def615b59cb2319cadb33b6b250426203024737a98b0c7d17cc97cf4da11&width=70&height=70)
Sophie Prideaux
20 January, 2023
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