Dubai’s Meraas opens new creek cultural district

Dubai developer Meraas has announced the completion of the first phase of its Al Seef heritage destination on the city’s creek.

The project, covering a 1.8km stretch of the creek adjacent to Al Fahidi historical district, features architecture inspired by old Dubai and more contemporary design.

Included in the more than 2.5 million square metres of shopping, dining, entertainment and tourism space are floating restaurants, a floating market, nearly 500 shops, a marina for private yachts, a floating market, a main plaza and links to the Dubai water taxi network.

The destination also features three hotels with a combined 500 rooms including a 200-key heritage hotel offering Arabian hospitality and two contemporary properties of 200 and 150 keys each.

Meraas said visitors would be able to enjoy an open-air market of handcrafts and textiles and activities for families in the fully pedestrianised area.

A second phase, set to be completed in the first quarter of next year, will add an authentic souq inspired by 1950s Dubai and additional retail and dining venues.

“By combining traditional and modern design elements, the destination highlights the role the creek has played, and continues to play, in the evolution of Dubai, and reinforces the city’s position as a leading international tourism destination by enriching the experience for visitors and creating new economic opportunities for local businesses,” said HE Abdulla Al Habbai, group chairman of Meraas.