Even before you cross the bridge that connects the Palm Jumeirah to the mainland, the massive arch of the Atlantis, rises like a monolith gateway leading into what is recognised as one of the modern wonders of the world and the largest man-made island in the world.

However, while the outer skeleton is already up and ready there is still a great deal of finishing works to be done before the hotel opens late next year.
Atlantis, the Palm is the brain child of Sol Kerzner and the sister hotel of the spectacular Atlantis, Paradise Island in the Bahamas. Positioned as the flagship property, it is situated at the apex of the Palm Jumeirah’s Crescent; majestically crowning the development.
The resort will offer more than 1,500 guest accommodations at the Royal Towers with over 16 restaurants, bistro and cafes, bars and lounges, and extensive meeting facilities including the opulent Royal Palm ballroom and the Palm Terrace, which will overlook the tropical landscape and lapping waters between the central fronds and the crescent.
Under construction since December 2005, Atlantis, The Palm has already risen. This $1.1 billion hotel is among only two others in the world and is one of Dubai’s most palatial resorts that promise to beat experiences offered in other sought-after destinations such as Las Vegas and Hong Kong.
The pace of work took on a new momentum when the tunnel opened late last year. Says Richard Lindsay, senior vice president development, Kerzner International: “Work went into overdrive after the tunnel opened in late 2006. We have now completed the structure and the facade and nearly half the work on the interiors too has been completed. Come December, installation of audio-visual equipment and IT systems will begin. So we are on schedule as far as work progress goes.”
The main structure of Atlantis is divided into the East Wing and the West Wing. Precast concrete work on the side facing the Palm has already been completed while the precast elements on the main arch that acts like a gateway to the Crescent of the Palm are currently being manufactured and will be completed shortly.
“The turrets on the rooftops have been changed and the last one is to be fitted soon. In terms of progress internally, all the dry wall is finished which is how the rooms are divided. About 50 per cent of the doors are up and we are starting the room finishes. So we are progressing well.”
In the massive lobby, the scaffolding is up and the metal deck covering the top is being waterproofed. “Once this is complete, we will be able to start work on the floors and ceilings,” says Lindsay.
The restaurants will be a major draw at Atlantis, both in terms of their interiors and themes. Among the main contractors for the interior fit-outs and MEP works are Mivan Depa, MiceKraftWork, Khansaheb and B K Gulf, which is doing the MEP works.
“All the restaurants are in advanced stages of planning and work on them has progressed significantly. Among them are Noble restaurant, The Buffet, and the Steak, Pizza and Pasta restaurants. One of the biggest attractions at Atlantis will be the large aquariums, which are more than 2 m in height, featuring some of the most exotic water-creatures of the sea world. The acrylic panels of these aquariums are also ready and we are in the final stages of laying out relics that recreate the history of Atlantis, which will be finished by the end of October. With the completion of structural work at the Retail Village, we are setting up all the retail units. Theming work has begun for the interiors of the Dig Suites, and currently wall finishes are in progress,” says Gil Oviedo, vice president, development. As far as the development of the marine facilities is concerned, The Temple of Zigurrat is extensively completed. The final finishes for the mechanical equipment are under way.
“Our primary focus is on the food and beverage restaurants in the water park. A lot of mechanical rooms which power the Transpotainment river and other parts of the water-park are being handed over to us so we are starting to operate it ourselves. The water-park is finished in its entirety but while all that is required to be done is final testing of the equipment on the rides and slides, we are delaying it simply because it consumes so much water. This will be done toward the end of next year,” continues Lindsay.
As the structural works are in their final stages, the number of cranes required is down from the initial 18 to just eight.
“We need these cranes to get the turrets up and to put the final precast elements around the edges. The structures for the swimming pools will be all ready by February next year. At present, we are only pushing work on the interiors. The number of people involved on site is around 6,500 down from 7,000 at the peak of construction,” says Lindsay.
Continuous power supply from Atlantis’s own generators too has ensured that construction schedules are for no reason delayed.
“At the moment, it appears that everything is working to schedule. Given our progress, I am convinced we will open as planned next year,” he concludes.
As the ultimate resort destination, Atlantis, The Palm will be full of trails of discovery with over 68,000 cu m of salt and freshwater attractions.