Palm Jumeirah: from construction to world-class destination in 21 years


Katy Gillett
  • English
  • Arabic

There was a time when people might have scoffed at the idea of creating an island in the shape of a palm tree. Now, bird's-eye views of Palm Jumeirah are commonplace in media across the world, and no one's laughing at the success this development has achieved.

In June 2001, developer Nakheel began construction using the master plan drawn up by American architectural firm Helman Hurley Charvat Peacock.

It took about six years to complete the world's largest man-made island, which altogether spans 5.72 square kilometres, equal to 600 football pitches.

Atlantis, The Palm was the first hotel to open at Palm Jumeirah, in 2008, and the monorail opened the following year. AFP
Atlantis, The Palm was the first hotel to open at Palm Jumeirah, in 2008, and the monorail opened the following year. AFP

The island's first residents began moving in from 2007 and by the end of the year about 500 families called Palm Jumeirah home. Today, the 17 fronds boast some of the UAE's most luxurious residences and mansions (David Beckham and Shah Rukh Khan are only two of the celebrities said to own properties here), not to mention some of the highest rents, and estimates put its population at about 80,000.

After the homebodies moved in, then followed the hotels, trickling in at first, then coming in droves.

Atlantis, The Palm, nowadays arguably one of the most famous hotels in the world, was the first to set up shop, in 2008, when it had a glamorous opening party attended by thousands. It also marked Kylie Minogue's debut performance in the Middle East.

After the hotels, in 2009, the Middle East's first monorail opened, offering Palm Jumeirah residents and visitors a unique way to get around, as the driverless transport spans almost 5.5 kilometres and connects them to the Dubai Metro.

Globally renowned hotel brands have since opened on the island and today you can find Sofitel, W, Fairmont, The St Regis, One&Only and many more with luxurious resorts visited by well-seasoned travellers, not to mention world-famous celebrities from Kim Kardashian to Priyanka Chopra Jonas, all year round.

The much talked-about Atlantis The Royal, designed by the same people behind Hudson Yards in New York City or Victoria Dockside in Hong Kong, will soon follow, adding yet another distinctive architectural work of art to Palm Jumeirah's ever-expanding portfolio.

Some of the nation's favourite restaurants also reside here, with major dining and retail projects such as Palm West Beach, The Pointe, Golden Mile and Club Vista Mare marking the area out as a must-visit destination for foodies and leisure seekers.

Scroll through the gallery to see more of Palm West Beach, Palm Jumeirah's newest destination:

The Pointe is also home to the world's largest fountain, consisting of two floating platforms that cover 14,000 square metres, raising 105 metres into the sky, and lighting up with 3,000 LED lights. It also dances, a bit like the Dubai Fountain at The Dubai Mall, to hit sounds from across the world daily from sunset to midnight.

Let's not forget the beaches, either, as, whether public or private, they're some of the best and well-maintained around. They're also a great spot from which to do some superyacht-spotting, the marinas being one of the most clear-cut demonstrations of how far Palm Jumeirah has come.

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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Power: 510hp at 9,000rpm
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Price: From Dh801,800

Pad Man

Dir: R Balki

Starring: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte

Three-and-a-half stars

WOMAN AND CHILD

Director: Saeed Roustaee

Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi

Rating: 4/5

Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989

Director: Goran Hugo Olsson

Rating: 5/5

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
World Cricket League Division 2

In Windhoek, Namibia - Top two teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which starts on March 4.

UAE fixtures

Thursday February 8, v Kenya; Friday February 9, v Canada; Sunday February 11, v Nepal; Monday February 12, v Oman; Wednesday February 14, v Namibia; Thursday February 15, final

How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
UK-EU trade at a glance

EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years

Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products

Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries

Smoother border management with use of e-gates

Cutting red tape on import and export of food

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm

Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km

Price: from Dh94,900

On sale: now

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
MATCH INFO

Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)

Third-place play-off: New Zealand v Wales, Friday, 1pm

Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm

Scores

Scotland 54-17 Fiji
England 15-16 New Zealand

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

Other workplace saving schemes
  • The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
  • National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
  • In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
PROFILE OF SWVL

Started: April 2017

Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: transport

Size: 450 employees

Investment: approximately $80 million

Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani

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Updated: June 10, 2022, 6:01 PM`