Sama Dubai, the international real estate investment and development arm of Dubai Holding, has announced the start of construction work on The Lagoons project on the Dubai Creek.

The Lagoons, described as the first of its kind – is expected to catalyse Dubai’s position as an international destination with seven independent island projects designed according to a comprehensive study of environmental effects.
“We are keen to implement all project phases by 2010 as previously announced,” says Sama Dubai chief executive officer Farhan Faraidooni. “The project has attracted a number of local and Gulf investors since its launch and more than 20 per cent of the allotted lands for sale were sold out within the first two weeks.”
Faraidooni points out that consultation with different international and local organisations and stakeholders, such as Dubai Municipality, World Wide Fund for Nature and the Wildlife Protection Office, has been ongoing and that the project’s environmental excellence is a cornerstone of the development.
The Lagoons’ many attractions will provide tourists staying in one of the many five-star hotels with a plethora of entertainment venues, including more than 50 shopping malls, retail arcades, health spas and parks. Residents as well as visitors will also enjoy cultural attractions, such as a theatre, museum, arts centre and opera house. The Lagoons offers luxury villas and apartments overlooking the creek with scenic yacht marinas and waterways, as well as commercial towers and state of the art facilities catering to the local and regional business community.