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

The planet's biggest man-made island spans the equivalent of 600 football pitches

Artist's impression of Palm Jumeirah. Construction began in 2001 and it took six years for the project to complete. Getty Images

Satellite image of Palm Jumeirah shows the distinct palm tree shape emerging from the waters of the Arabian Gulf. Getty Images

A view of the development in March 2004. EPA

The development has become a premium tourist destination and the self-declared 'Eighth Wonder of the World'. Getty Images

The development is in the shape of a date palm, complete with trunk, 17 fronds and a crescent that acts as a breakwater. Getty Images

Construction on the Middle East's first monorail, on Palm Jumeirah, in March 2007. The system cost $381 million to build. Getty Images

Atlantis, The Palm under construction on Palm Jumeirah in April 2007. Getty Images

A view of the project from July 2007. Getty Images

Atlantis, The Palm in July 2007. Getty Images

The monorail opened in 2009, ferrying passengers between Palm Gateway and Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark stations. The fully automatic driverless train was designed to eventually link up with the Dubai Metro. Getty Images

Dubai celebrates the landmark grand opening of Atlantis, The Palm, and Palm Jumeirah, on November 20, 2008. Getty Images

Whale shark at Atlantis, The Palm's Lost Chambers Aquarium. Pawan Singh / The National

A skydive over Palm Jumeirah in March 2018. Getty Images

Palm Jumeirah is the world's largest man-made island, spanning 5.72 square kilometres, equal to 600 football pitches. Getty Images

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

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:

An aerial view of San Beach on Palm West Beach in Dubai. Photo: Natelee Cocks

A ship-shape seafood platter at San Beach in Dubai.

Koko Bay on Palm West Beach in Dubai. Photo: Koko Bay

A serving of curry laksa at Koko Bay in Dubai. Photo: Koko Bay

The view from the circular bar at February 30 on Palm West Beach, Dubai. Photo: Jure Ursic

Seafood carpaccio from the menu at February 30 on Palm West Beach in Dubai.

Eva Beach House on Palm West Beach, Dubai. Photo: Jure Ursic

Purple paella from the Eva Beach House at Palm West Beach in Dubai.

The Lucky Fish Mediterranean restaurant on Palm West Beach, Dubai. Photo: Vlad Ivanov

Vagabond party at Surf Club on Palm West Beach, Dubai.

Senor Pico is a Mexican cantina on Palm West Beach, Dubai.

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.

How Dubai Creek has (and hasn't) changed in 55 years — in pictures

The creek in Dubai circa 1937. Getty Images

Boats on the Creek in Dubai, with the Customs House in the background, 1967. Getty Images

A view across Dubai Creek in 1967. Getty Images

Dubai Creek in 1964. Photo: Alamy

Ships in 1967 unloading goods on the creek for the Customs Department in Dubai. Getty Images

Dubai Creek, April 1968, taken from a Beaver flying to Sir Bani Yas Island. Photo: Nevile Ryton

Dubai Creek in 1976. Photo: Wam / AFP

The Carlton Hotel on the banks of the Creek in Dubai, circa 1978. The property was later rebuilt as the Carlton Tower Hotel. Getty Images

The mouth of the Creek, circa 1978. Getty Images

Dubai Creek in October, 1977. Getty Images

The building on the right is the National Bank of Dubai.

The National Bank of Dubai building on the edge of Dubai Creek. Photo: Al Ittihad

Dhows on the Creek in the 1970s. Photo: Al Ittihad

Racing driver Juan Manuel Fangio in Dubai on December 11, 1981. Getty Images

An aerial view of the opening of the Dubai Creek Golf and Marina Yacht Club golf course on January 1, 1993 in Dubai. Getty Images

The Creek in 1993. Alamy

The Creek in 1996. Getty Images

View of Bur Dubai and the Creek in 2015. Pawan Singh / The National

Water taxis, known as abras, on Dubai Creek in 2019 take people from Bur Dubai to Deira and back again at sunset. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Al Seef waterfront dining destination opens on Dubai Creek in 2017.

Dubai Creek from the Deira side of the city in 2015. Antonie Robertson / The National

Traditional ferry boats, known as abras, cross the Creek that separates Bur Dubai from Deira on January 6, 2022. AFP

A dhow crosses the Creek near the spice souq in 2022. Reem Mohammed / The National

Dubai Creek in May 2022. Chris Whiteoak / The National