POLL--What's So Special About the Dubai Marina?

What is it that most attracts you to the Dubai Marina?
   (select as many as apply)

• Its amazing towers--and other buildings.
  
• The marina waterway & promenade.
  
• Its boating facilities & sailing opportunities.
  
• Investment or homeowner opportunities.
  
• Its retail establishments (restaurants, shops, hotels...).
  
• Its proximity to the beach or sea.
  
• The overall convenience of the location.
  
• Its modern, trendy atmosphere.
  
• Circumstances of employment.
  
• Nothing in particular--or none of the above.

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The British Are Coming!

In American history these words represented a battle cry! That was sometime around 1775. In those days, the British it seems had come to just about every place on the globe. I don't know when they originally came to what is now the UAE, but it was a protectorate of some sort for the British until the formation of a united Arab federation in 1971.

Fast-forward 35 years and the British seem to be coming again, reports 7 Days:

The number of Britons who bought a property in Dubai in 2005 has increased by 60 per cent over the last year, according to currency specialist HIFX's new Global Property Hot Spots report.

How many are in fact coming, why and where are they settling? No doubt, Dubai Marina is one of the main attractions. A tally of hits on these Dubai Marina webpages indicate that hits from the UK are tied with or surpass the number of hits from the UAE, and the two exceed the total of all other countries by far.

So many factors would contribute to the popularity of Dubai as a destination for both travel and residence that these findings should not be too surprising:

• The historical connection,
• the fact that the UAE is in large part an English speaking country,
• the "wow" factor that Dubai generates through its new projects,
• the high cost of property in the UK, and so on.

It will be interesting to see 5 or 10 years hence how English, in fact, the Dubai Marina becomes. Could it turn out to be a Little Briton? Or will the Marina look more cosmopolitan with a fair mix of Brits and other Westerners, alongside a good number of Arab and Indian nationals? It is too early to tell, but a picture should begin to emerge once more projects are completed.

Go to DM Blog latest posts, Dubai Marina Communities or MAG 218 Community homepage.

Dubai Marina Celebrates... (Hyperbole)

Christmas tree in lobby of Grosvenor Hotel (DM)

25 December 2005 finds me perusing internet search engines for any info on Christmas in the Dubai Marina. Not really expecting to find anything I hit upon an article dated 11 May 2005, Dubai Marina: Celebrating Lifestyle on the Waterfront. It was not what I was looking for but I was struck by the colorful description of life in one of Dubai's swankiest new communities:

Let me try to sum up Dubai Marina: Beautiful promenade, awesome sunsets, incredible ocean-front real estate and super fun restaurants. This place is where charm, variety and convenience truly come together. Everything you need for carefree daily living is near at hand, right within your neighbourhood. It's the urban waterfront lifestyle you've dreamed about.

The article struck me for painting such a fanciful image. This is all that the Marina is on paper!

So much of what is written, not only about this development, but of nearly every new development in Dubai are fictitous portrayals of what some master-developer has drafted into architectural sketches and concept images. Many beautiful new towers not yet built, often not yet even started, will be written of as having this or that amenity.

As a teacher of English language, I wonder what's wrong with using future tense forms and words that state possibility and probability rather than those that express a "present-tense" state of being. Admittedly, I find myself at times using the same phrasology as though it were a form of literary license.

But it isn't. It isn't accurate and it mis-informs. It seems to represent sales propaganda whether coming out of developer's brochures or purported news accounts. I resolve, therefore, to avoid this rather deceptive style of prose in my own 2006 posts. A rebuttal of the article linked here will be a good way to start off this New Year's resolution.

The quote above offers descriptive expressions which might more acurately read as follows:

• beautiful promenade >> emerging promenade
• awsome sunset >> hidden sunset
• incredible ocean-front real estate >> expensive ocean-front real estate
• super fun restaurants >> sedated restaurants

These are but a few of the many expressions in the article that speak imaginatively of what the Dubai Marina could be like.

So, what is it really like? I have already described it, more accurately I would say, in a number of earlier posts (through words and pictures):

• A Walk in the Marina
• All Quiet at Marina Walk
• Beautiful Days in the Marina
• Community Under Construction (JBR)
• Introduction to the Dubai Marina
• Lights Out?
• Marina Skies, p1
• Marina Skies, p2 (Geometry)
• Old City Model vs. New
• The Old Marina
• The Pyramid Builders at Al Sufouh Road
• Towers Rising
• Transportation Improvements for Dubai Marina
• Will You Get the View You Pay For?

These provide by no means negative or harshly critical accounts of the Dubai Marina scene. After all, I am biased--I love the place and plan to live there! But how in the world can the Marina be described without making reference to the endless construction and all the noise, dust and traffic associated with it? How can it not be pointed out that the Marina at present is mostly empty of inhabitants?

I have no problem with writers elaborating on what life in the Dubai Marina may become, as long as they speak in terms of future possibility. Indeed, my primary intent in establishing "Dubai Marina Communities" online is to help foster the kind of ideal community often written about. In that spirit, I would like to welcome any readers, hopefully less biased than I, to contribute more objective and even critical accounts of the Dubai Marina lifestyle.

Go to DM Blog latest posts, Dubai Marina Communities or MAG 218 Community homepage.

The Old Marina

I paid a first time visit today to the DIMC--I'm sure an unknown acronym to many--the Dubai International Marine Club. To me it is the old or perhaps original Dubai Marina. What I found, to my surprise, was a rather extensive boat and yacht harbor for which the new Dubai Marina skyline provided a spectacular backdrop. The scene was so striking that it made me wonder, which is the real Marina? By comparison the newer man-made marina resembles more an inland creek. The boats moored at the new Marina are few in comparison and occupy but one small portion of the channel. That is not to say that the new Marina is not nice, but it seems less a marina than a canal and promenade.


New Dubai Marina condominums towering over the old DIMC. --21 Dec. 2005

One other major difference between the new marina and the old is that while the new Dubai Marina offers very visible and accessible public vistas the old marina is hidden off behind a hideous (plywood or corrugated metal) baracade. One would never know it was there, which explains why today was my first visit in the 5 and 1/2 years I've lived in this country. What one might imagine hides behind the baracade is a derelect shipyard. I suppose it was meant for the private use of the privaleged and snobbish elite.

So, in comes the new Dubai Marina--thank you, Emaar--with towering residences along its banks, which all eyes are compelled to notice. Besides the fact that the new Marina is attractive for both its promenade and fancy towers, and despite the fact that it is rather small as far as yacht harbors go, the new Dubai Marina is very much pleasing for its accessibility. Even if one cannot afford to live in any of its posh new residences, it is there for anyone to visit, whether for a pleasant stroll, a water-side meal, shopping, meeting friends, or any other activity that is well complemented by calming waters and dramatic city views.


Sunlight filtering through on the new Dubai Marina. --21 Dec. 2005

Go to DM Blog latest posts, Dubai Marina Communities or MAG 218 Community homepage.

A Positive Evaluation

This seems to be an AME Info reporter's take on Dubai's new developments after a recent flyover by helicopter. One important point raised, location:

One thing that was immediately apparent from a property buyer's perspective is that 'location, location, location' is going to be far more important in the marketplace than it has been in the past... the developments of New Dubai are scattered across the desert, and out into the sea. But some are close to clusters of economic activity, such as the Emirates Hills and Dubai Marina and the free zones. The other extreme is The World - where the islands are more than four kilometres offshore.

(With regard to the MAG 218 tower, the commentary, Location, Location... compares the Dubai Marina's location with that of other new developments in Dubai.)

The AME Info article goes on to discuss how things look from bird's eye view compared to what is seen on the ground or in developer's brochures:

Flying over the Palm, Jumeirah it was evident that the villas are more tightly packed on to the fronds than many people might have assumed from the original plans. Will this then actually prove to be the most desirable address in Dubai?

Despite the concerns expressed, the reporter concludes that "these very innovative projects have caught the imagination of property buyers around the world," and predicts their eventual success.

Despite its significant distance from present day central Dubai--the Creek--or even the newly developed SZR towers district, the Dubai Marina, together with the Jumeirah Lake Towers and Jumeirah Beach Residences, will no doubt represent one of Dubai's most important locations.

Go to DM Blog latest posts, Dubai Marina Communities or MAG 218 Community homepage.

What about the JBR?

There are a lot of JBR folk out there who as much as anybody else want to find out about and perhaps add their own thoughts to what's going on in their neighborhood and the larger combined area of the JBR and Dubai Marina. Do we need then a separate JBR forum or do we make this one the DM-JBR Blog?

I'd like to hear from other readers. My own thought is that an investor or anyone closely involved with the JBR project should set up a blog or website dedicated to JBR matters--just as there is a separate site for the MAG 218 tower. But with the Marina and JBR literally side-by-side, it might serve the two communities well to share a single larger platform.

Any thoughts on this?

Go to DM Blog latest posts, Dubai Marina Communities or MAG 218 Community homepage.

World's Biggest Airport in Jebel Ali

Not surprisingly another "biggest" for Dubai. The new airport will be in relative close proximity to Dubai Marina. This will be one more enhancement in terms of transportation improvements for Dubai with direct relevance to life at the Marina. The 22/11/05 MENAFN report provides extensive detail in addition to other interesting revelations, including:

The Commercial City, the financial and business heart of the (airport) project, will house up to 850 towers ranging from 50 to 300 metres in height.

What more is possible?



How about some incredible renders of another proposed Dubai tower (not within Dubai Marina).


(source).

One of my favorite forums, Skyscrapercity.com, discusses the most futuriistic city in one of its forums. Dubai, of course, makes the list, but some ardent supportors of China's magacities adamantly argue that Dubai is too small and can't possibly compete with a city like Shanghai which reportedly has already thousands of towers--e.g. tall buildings. But I can't see how anyone could doubt that Dubai will offer any city a serious challenge when it comes to any discussion about new skyscrapers--and new projects of any kind for that matter.

Go to DM Blog latest posts, Dubai Marina Communities or MAG 218 Community homepage.

Is It Too Much?

The Dubai Marina from Ibn Battuta Mall. (15-Dec-2005)

Pictures may speak a thousand words, but do they really tell the true story? Does this photo tell the story of the beautiful upscale, high-rise development that the Dubai Marina is to be? Or could it just be the wrong angle at the wrong time?

Go to DM Blog latest posts, Dubai Marina Communities or MAG 218 Community homepage.

All Quiet At Marina Walk

Marina Walk is the mall at the base of the DM Phase 1 towers. Its shops and restaurants are camouflaged behind mirrored windows. Fronting the marina are the tables, chairs and umbrella shades that spill out from the restaurants.


15-Dec-2005

Today was Thursday and the pleasant December climate made the Marina especially relaxing. The setting was similar to what one might find at the Quay in downtown Singapore, except for the fact that all was so quiet. Thursday in the Islamic gulf countries is equivalent to Saturday in the West. Many offices and most schools are closed. It was an ideal day for those off from work and school to enjoy an afternoon in a place like the Marina. But alas, Dubai Marina is still a community in the making. Marina Phase 1 is the only part of the sprawling neighborhood that is complete--since about 2 years back.

Indications are that even after two years this complex has few actual residents, even though it is said to be sold out. That would account for some of the quiet. It is nonetheless an attractive community to be settled in. That is if one can ignore the sound of construction that can often be heard as work continues throughout the Marina--and the odour of fertilizer used to keep the patches of grass and flower beds in good form.

Go to DM Blog latest posts, Dubai Marina Communities or MAG 218 Community homepage.

Old City Model Vs. New

Visit Abu Dhabi and the older (or rather less new) parts of Dubai and other UAE cities and you’ll find many residential blocks and office towers. Most are grouped in uniform heights of 5, 10 or 20 floors. Unfortunately, little was done in the way of providing parking for residents and patrons. The streets in such neighborhoods, especially the interior roads, are lined with parked cars. At certain times of day one is forced to drive in circles or resort to parking a 5 or 10-minute’s walk away.

That is characteristic of the old city model, but not the new. New developments are required to provide ample parking space for residents. Though there still may be shortages for visitors or patrons to the occasional office or shop, it is a great improvement over the former arrangement.

Regrettably, however, such good news does not apply to all the changes taking place between old and new. Another thing that one readily notices when visiting the old neighborhoods is that nearly every building—whether residential or office—has shops, restaurants and other commercial establishments on ground and sometimes mezzanine floors. The newer developments, however, are practically devoid of such establishments. There will be only the fortunate few whose towers stand beside or near shopping malls. For most, there will be little in the way of shops and restaurants , not to mention hospitals, clinics, schools or other community facilities.

This problem is discussed in today's Gulf News, A Case of Development Choking Lifestyle.

Residents in the new developments could wait for the municipality to eventually do something to fill the void. Another option, however, is for owners within these developments to look at having some of the essential services provided within their own towers. To complement the ubiquitous swimming pool and gym, owners might look into having, for example, an in-house doctor. The community halls that some towers will have could be used to hold lectures, seminars and workshops on matters of civic and cultural importance. Together with upgraded security features, owners and residents could make their tower neighborhoods safer and more convenient than they would otherwise be for the lack of nearby commercial and municipal services.

It does seem rather odd that what is being promoted as a better living environment would be one that requires residents to take what might otherwise be basic services into their own hands. It seems that there was a good but rather short-sighted plan to ensure a tranquil environment by removing parking, clutter and noise from the streets, while at the same time reducing convenience and access to essential services. Convenience and safety ought not to be neglected as much as it seems they are. But if this is indeed the case, there are a few things that residents and owners can do. It may in fact allow a level of participation in civic affairs that heretofore was not possible within the UAE’s system of royal governance.

Go to DM Blog latest posts, Dubai Marina Communities or MAG 218 Community homepage.

There's Something About the Dubai Marina!

You are here because you are interested in the Dubai Marina. Perhaps you've bought or are thinking about buying property here. Perhaps you rent or want to rent here, or your company has provided you accommodation. Maybe you want to lodge at or visit the Marina during holidays. Maybe you are a developer and you're looking for new ideas or info (and btw thanks for helping to create this wonderful new district). Perhaps you just love Dubai, and Dubai Marina is one of the several fantastic new neighborhoods to get to know.

And of course, this being the Internet, you may have just stumbled here out of the blue!

Whatever the reason, you're here because there's something about the Dubai Marina that has grabbed your attention. The DM Blog (Dubai Marina) is a place not only to get information but a place to share thoughts and info that you may have. So, if you haven't signed up already, find out how to blog at DM Blog and start taking part.

Go to DM Blog latest posts, Dubai Marina Communities or MAG 218 Community homepage.