'Taj Arabia' included in replicas of iconic buildings confirmed at Cityscape
Dubai's version of the Taj Mahal will be “three to four times” bigger than the original 460-year-old marble mausoleum masterpiece, according to the team behind the mega project.
Taj Arabia, a replica of the UNESCO world heritage site in Agra, India, will be part of the 3.8 million sqm Falconcity of Wonders development on Emirates Road. It will be the first replica in the ‘city’ that will also be home to other landmark copies such as The Eiffel Tower and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, investors announced yesterday.
Though the entire project was originally announced more than five years ago, backers insist the Taj build is “now a reality”.
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Dubai's version of the Taj Mahal will be “three to four times” bigger than the original 460-year-old marble mausoleum masterpiece, according to the team behind the mega projec
Just like the original - built as a monument of love - the replica (left), will be themed as the ‘New City of Love’.
“Dubai’s about the bigger and the better - and we are creating that facility,” said Arun Mehra, the main financial backer behind Taj Arabia.
Indian Mehra, chairman of the Link Global Group, added: “Everything about it will be built around the night and romance. It’ll be breathtaking. You can’t even see (the original) after 5pm, it’s closed.”
Organisers expect the hotel and residential complex will also host wedding parties for up to 3,000 guests.
Salem Al Moosa, CEO and chairman of Falconcity, said the project would be designed to “engrave Dubai’s place in the minds and hearts of world citizens” – and insists it will be complete “by the end of 2014”.
Investors revealed the Taj project will cost a whopping $1 billion.
Comments
by 4000Bee
Monday, December 31 2012, 10:08AM
“The original Wonders of the World's structures have history and purposes to be invented. The feelings of being there was like being part of the history. As for me, I would travel to see the originals. It's like wearing a French Designer outfit but made in China.”
by len.ince
Saturday, October 06 2012, 11:07AM
“Here we go again. Now that the financial crisis is bottoming out, Dubai re-enters the silly and false 'boom' era again, only to suffer another downturn in a few years time. We all know who the real beneficiaries are. Heard the latest quote from a Developer in Dubai about funding another uselessly big scheme? Well here it is....'funding will come from off plan sales...' Another disaster waiting to happen.”
by A serious critic
Friday, October 05 2012, 6:42PM
“The Taj Mahal is an Islamic shrine. It is sacrilegious to built it as a replica and as a hotel. They are even oblivious to that.”
by A serious critic
Friday, October 05 2012, 1:09PM
“Everybody seems to forget that the Taj Mahal is a mausoleum where deceased people (Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan) are interned. Building this mausoleum as a repilca and as a hotel is absolutely disrespectful apart from the kitschiness.”
by Mohammad Janahi
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 9:37PM
“To commentators: why do you people always complain...try "constructive criticism" for once...you might end up benefiting your society while getting to rant all at the same time”
by snmdubai
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 3:11PM
“why does dubai ALWAYS have to have the biggest and the best of everything?? its getting annoying now.... $1 billion dollars spent to increase tourism and end up worsening traffic instead of spending money to fix this problem :(”
by ExpatEddie
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 2:47PM
“If it does happen it sure sounds very classy”
by djoanes1
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 12:44PM
“Yikes, that sounds like it will be incredibly tacky!”
by NewCrunch
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 12:08PM
“I'm not sure if the concept is a copy of Taj Mahal or a copy of a copy of Las Vegas. As for the "New City of Love" and this being a hotel, I think it can be interpreted in so many different ways!!!”
by Gavtek
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 8:24AM
“Does anyone believe that this will actually happen?”