Samir Salya on a new floating development in Dubai

An ambitious developer is planning to recreate Venice just off the coast of Dubai, with plans for a floating hotel. The Dh2.5 billion development will have an underwater floor and is the brainchild of the Kleindienst Group.

Plans unveiled

The company announced its plans on the first day of Cityscape Global 2017. The project is called “The Floating Venice” and centres on super-premium hotel rooms built on top of the floating base.

One entire floor of premium rooms will be completely underwater, and it’s planned that the project will be moored as part of The World cluster of islands just off Dubai’s coast.

Company using boat builders

The hotel itself will stretch over a site that is 37,000 square metres in size. The stretch of water is 4km from Dunai’s shore, and its building rights were secured recently.

As it’s not a typical building, the company has pointed out that they won’t be using typical builders. Instead they’ll be using expert boat builders to help them complete their ambitious project.

Will it be movable?

Although technically the hotel would be able to be shipped to different locations, the intention is to have it stay in Dubai. The development should be delivered in Q4 2020, during the Expo 2020.

Josef Kleindienst is well known for taking on unconventional development projects. It’s currently building six islands called “Heart of Europe” on The World. Three of those islands will be delivered in 2018 and the rest by early 2019. Called “Floating Seahorses”, they’re basically yachts with living rooms underwater.

The Chairman of Josef Kleindienst said: “You would be surprised how many people want to live inside the ocean. We received feedback from 21,600 people and that was the reason why we decided to go in for an underwater luxury hotel.”

Amazing facilities

There will be 414 rooms on the floating Venice development, and the resort will be able to welcome 3,000 guests. The accommodation, recreation areas and restaurants will be situated over four decks, including the one that will be underwater.

Guests will access the floating hotel by seaplane, helicopter or boat. Helicopters will land in the main Piazza San Marco and visitors will then check in at the underwater reception area.

Gondolas from Venice

To add extra Italian authenticity, real gondolas will be brought over from Venice to take guests to their rooms through canals. If they prefer they can walk alongside the canals and bridges to find their cabins.

The development is designed to last at least 100 years when completed and construction will begin early in 2018.

About Samir Salya

Samir Salya is the Chairman of Reign Holdings, and is involved in UK and UAE real estate and construction. Samir holds over 20 years’ experience in executive management, business expansion, performance improvement, sales and marketing