Dubai Marina, a visionary master-planned community from Emaar Properties, marks one of the Gulf's biggest building projects.

Upon completion, this 50 million sq ft project will house luxury residential and leisure facilities covering 700 acres, says Emaar.

The world's largest master-planned waterfront development of its kind, Dubai Marina is expected to be the region's first 'intelligent city' eventually housing 35,000 people in luxurious residential apartments towers and villas in a spectacular waterfront location.

The man-made Dubai Marina waterway itself is approximately 3.5 km long and is encircled by parks and an 11 km waterfront, starting from Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) and returning just beyond the Sheraton Jumeirah Hotel. It forms part of Dubai's high-profile downtown, which features Emaar's Emirates Hills project, Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, the American University in Dubai, beaches, shopping malls and luxury hotels.

The first phase of the Dubai Marina project, is over 2.7 million sq ft and is built on a podium structure comprising six towers which house 1,026 residential units, each equipped with advanced technology. The first three towers have been named after precious stones, namely 'Murjan' consisting of 37 storeys, 'Al Mass' with 28 storeys and 'Fairooz' which will have 20 storeys. The other three derive their names from Arabic scents: 'Mesk' with 37 storeys, 'Yass' with 24 storeys and 'Anbar' which will have 16 storeys. There will also be 64 villas and up to 40 retail outlets.

Advanced 'smart home' technology will be available in every home, giving residents access to e-business, e-entertainment and e-government facilities, besides having access to community services such as Internet doctors and e-education, Emaar points out.

Marina residents will be able to activate the air-conditioning on their way home and switch on the lights or television before entering their apartments at the press of a button or a mobile phone command.

Last year saw the sale of apartment suites in the Al Sahab and Al Majara towers, with residential units priced from Dh484,800 ($132,000), offering consumers an affordable option to Marina living. Also on sale were a limited number of two and three-storey, multi-level residential suites that formed part of the company's new dynamic residential concept, 'Marina Homes'. The latter derives inspiration from the waterfront architecture in premier communities on the French Riviera, and was introduced for the first time in the region.

Occupancy of Dubai Marina Phase I will, according to Emaar, start towards the end of this year, while Al Majara and Al Sahab are scheduled for completion at the end of next year.