Fishermen float past the Chicago Beach Village with Burj Al Arab under construction in the background. Photo: Joanne Westeng
Community spirit was one of the hallmarks of Chicago Beach Village. Photo: Anna Kerr
The compound's pier is the only relic to survive, today serving as the site of Al Qasr's Pierchic restaurant. Photo: Joanne Westeng
Chicago Beach Village was home to an array of bungalows, apartments and two-storey houses. Photo: Bob Nelson
Set on the farthest reaches of Dubai, Chicago Beach Village was home to several facilities, making it one of the emirate's most sought-after gated communities. Photo: Christiane Mergeai-Sprunck
With a supermarket, restaurant, beach, pool and more, Chicago Beach Village residents had very little reason to leave their compounds. Photo: Joanne Westeng
Chicago Beach Village resident Mary Nelson looks out to sea from the compound's pier. Photo: Bob Nelson
A map of the compound. Photo: Joanne Westeng
The compound had its own swimming pools, squash courts, tennis courts, gymnasium, coffee shop, skateboard rink and clubhouse. Photo: Anna Kerr
Residents recall spending their spare time with each others' families in the great outdoors. Photo: Anna Kerr
The Chicago Beach Hotel in 1979, Dubai’s first resort residence. Photo: Omar Salam
The plans for one of Chicago Beach Village's villas. Photo: Joanne Westeng
Residents learnt to steer clear of sea snakes, 'even if they looked dead, as they were usually waiting for the tide to take them back out into the open water'. Photo: Joanne Westeng
One former resident recalled: 'It was very safe for children and one of the best places to live in Dubai at the time.' Photo: Joanne Westeng
A mid-90s map of the Chicago Beach Village. Photo: Joanne Westeng
Chicago Beach is today home to Madinat Jumeirah, Wild Wadi and Burj Al Arab. Reuters
