DUBAI’S first dedicated opera house is expected to take shape shortly following the launch of the Dubai Modern Art Museum and Opera House District by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Work is expected to commence shortly on the project, which is currently in the final phase of design and architectural elements.

Billed to be the UAE’s newest arts and cultural nerve-centre, the district will be prominently located on the edge of Burj Lake at Emaar’s flagship development Downtown Dubai. In addition to the opera house, it will include a modern art museum, several galleries, two new ‘art hotels’ and other lifestyle components. It will also host two new art hotels, an array of leisure components and several residential apartments and design studios.

The cultural district aims to further strengthen UAE’s emerging role as the cultural hub of the region, and builds on Dubai’s current repertoire of over 50 art galleries and globally acclaimed art showcases including Art Dubai, Design Days Dubai and Sikka, all of which also contribute to attracting high-end cultural tourists, says an official for the development.

At the launch, Sheikh Mohammed said: “The cultural accomplishments of a nation define its character and individuality.  Having demonstrated our credentials in hosting world-class cultural events, the UAE has established itself as a thriving destination for culture and the arts. We will continue to strengthen the infrastructure framework for promoting cultural initiatives, through projects such as the Dubai Modern Art Museum and Opera House District. This will not only encourage our talented local artists but also facilitate global cultural exchange.”

To be clearly differentiated from the existing architectural icons in Downtown Dubai, the Dubai Modern Art Museum and Opera House District will be a design masterpiece, integrating various components that assure a contemporary lifestyle choice for visitors. With plazas, high streets, shaded colonnades, courtyards, alleyways, waterfront promenades and parks in close proximity, it will be distinguished by its unique mix of components that focus on the cultural and creative side of Dubai.

The cultural district is expected to not only serve the lifestyle demands of the thousands of residents in Downtown Dubai but will also be a magnet for tourists and art enthusiasts. It will incorporate the modern tenets of sustainable buildings with an emphasis on environmental modelling.

Anchoring the district will be Emaar Boulevard, which will be one of the world’s finest boulevards featuring retail and food and beverage outlets. Extending more than 3.5 km, it will wind through the Downtown Dubai community, and offer spectacular views of Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. The waterfront promenade will provide uninterrupted views of The Dubai Fountain, the world’s tallest performing fountain.

Mohamed Alabbar, chairman of Emaar Properties,  said the focus of the development will be to stimulate the city’s cultural and artistic milieu through an opera house, modern art museum, galleries and design studios – in short, the entire infrastructure for arts and culture to thrive.

Emaar Properties, a global property developer with a significant presence in key emerging markets in the Middle East, North Africa and Asia, is a committed partner in driving the arts sector of Dubai. It is complementing the vibrant cultural scene of Dubai with The Pavilion, a dedicated art gallery located in Downtown Dubai, and recently hosted ‘Design Days Dubai,’ a contemporary fair for high-end design collectibles at a customised venue overlooking Burj Khalifa.

Several exclusive art pieces adorn Downtown Dubai including renowned Spanish sculptor Xavier Corbero’s Gathering, a collection of 10 figurine sculptures made of basalt; Colombian figurative artist Fernando Botero’s Horse 2007; Kuwaiti sculptor Sami Mohamed Al Saleh’s Al Sidra; and Syrian artist Lutfi Romhein’s Together.

Besides building residential and commercial properties, Emaar has also proven competencies in shopping malls and retail, hospitality and leisure and financial services sectors. Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, and The Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destination, are some of Emaar’s trophy developments.