Polish firm Deep Ocean Technology has unveiled the latest of Dubai's outlandish architectural endeavors - the Water Discus Hotel - which is to be comprised of a series of sci-fi styled discs, one of which will be positioned 10 meters underwater with twenty-one hotel rooms. Offering guests a view directly into the Persian Gulf from the beds of their modest two-person rooms, the hotel is to be constructed by shipyard firm Drydocks World. In addition to the unusual accommodation, the proposed hotel is to include a diving center, underwater tourist vehicles, a spa, garden areas, an above-water terrace, and a helipad for guests. As reported The World Architecture News, ship repair, conversion and construction firm Drydocks World has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with BIG InvestConsult AG, a Swiss company representing Polish firm Deep Ocean Technology (DOT)0 which has developed highly innovative designs for an underwater hotel. The proposal still needs to be refined but currently suggests a Water Discus Hotel in Dubai. Dubai announced plan to construct another underwater hotel, Hydropolis, in 2006. The project cost was estimated US$ 480 million, and it was assumed to be as one of the world's most expensive hotels, home to an array of facilities including a cosmetic surgery clinic and a marine biological research laboratory. After a series of delays, the hotel remained only on the paper. This latest-intentionally-submerged project, looks to have the backing to become a reality. And, if not constructed in the planned location, Deep Ocean Technology have made design plans adaptable to varying sea levels. Formed of a 'stacked' structure of discs, DOT explains that "Each design will be tailor-made to suit its future users and local conditions, such as the shape of the coastal line and depth of water around the coral reef." And if that particular area of Dubai were to fall out of fashion for any reason, well, DOT has thought of that: "If any changes in environmental or economic conditions occur, the Water Discus modules can be transferred to a different place. This offers a unique opportunity to live underwater on a permanent basis with unlimited options to change locations." The discs which form the hotel are themselves surprisingly versatile. Mounted atop three legs and a vertical shaft containing an elevator and stairway, the discs themselves are interchangeable. From an interior design standpoint, this allows for renovations to be conducted offsite, with minimal disruption to business. Equipped with monitoring and warning systems for safety, the above water discs have "positive buoyancy, which means they can be used as lifesaving vessels after being detached from the main body of the upper disc."

Spanish soccer super-team Real Madrid have announced plans to construct a US$ 1 billion luxury resort in the United Arab Emirates - and to ensure a truly unique location, the sports company plans to construct an archipelago of artificial islands upon which it will be located, reported The National Post. The resort, which has also been described as a theme park for the soccer obsessed, will include five-star hotels, luxury villas, a 10 thousand seat ocean-side football stadium, a marina and a hi-tech museum devoted to the history of the Team. Real Madrid has announced that the 430 thousand square meter project will be constructed in partnership with the UAE government, and they hope to open by 2015. Executives of the investment group behind the project, the RAK Marjan Island Football Investment Fund, said its location, 45 minutes from Dubai airport. In recent times due to a lack of coastal land there are more and more artificial islands designed and constructed for ambitious projects like this. Azerbaijan recently released designs for the World's Tallest Tower "Azerbaijan Tower" on an artificial archipelago located over active oil pipelines, while Qatar is at work on their own man-made island resort the "Amphibious 1000". Dubai, on the other hand recovering from the embarrassing sinking of its island resort "The World".

A symbol of Dubai's resurgence and its growing importance at the centre of the global business crossroads will emerge later this year when the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai opens its doors to guests in Q4 this year, reported the official site of Marriott Hotel. This hotel set to be the world's tallest. As reported, the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai will open in two phases, with the first section featuring 807 rooms and numerous restaurants and lounges. At a height of 355 meters, the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai is the tallest dedicated hotel building in the world and is just 26 meters shorter than the Empire State Building in New York. In addition to serving the luxury business traveler, the hotel is targeting the lucrative and increasingly important MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) market, which currently does not have a hotel of sufficient scale to host such large groups. In addition to all the dining and entertainment options, the hotel will have two ballrooms, 24 meeting rooms and a total of 5,100 square meters of event space. Currently the tallest dedicated hotel building in the world is Rose Rayhaan in Dubai. 72 storeys, 333 meters high and certified as the World's tallest hotel by Guinness Records hotel building opened its doors in 2010. But the world's highest hotel is Ritz-Carlton housed in 484 meters high International Commerce Center in Hong-Kong. It is situated on 102-118 floors. The JW Marriott is part of Marriott International's luxury portfolio and consists of beautiful properties in gateway cities and distinctive resort locations around the world. Currently, there are 53 JW Marriott hotels in 22 countries; by 2015 the portfolio will encompass 80 properties in 29 countries.

As announced by Tameer company, the main developer of project, Dubai's landmark Princess Tower has been completed, making it the world's tallest residential tower at a final height of 414 meters, reported The National. Construction of residential tower began in 2005. The Dubai Marina development stands at 107 storey and encompasses basement floors, a ground floor and 100 above-ground levels. In addition to penthouse apartments overlooking The Palm Jumeirah, The Princess Tower houses 763 luxury apartments, including one, two, three, four-bedroom apartments. According to experts, the tower will contribute to more than 3,100 new apartments are scheduled to hit the market in Dubai Marina in the early part of this year, putting further pressure on declining rents in the popular coastal district. As we earlier reported, UAE's property boom ended in 2008, with home prices drop in the Dubai by about 60 percent. The current tallest completed residential building in the world is The Torch, the 337-meter tower located a few blocks away from the Pentominium project in Dubai, which itself could surpass Princess Tower if it is ever completed to the 516 meters originally planned. That project has become bogged down in delays.

As reported by constructiondigital, according to officials, work will begin on the capital's International airport US$ 6 billion Midfield Terminal Building (MTB) expansion next year. Despite the economic downturn, the UAE continues its building tear with the planned 2012 construction of a 650 thousand square meters terminal for the Abu Dhabi International Airport (ADIA). The terminal will have a capacity of up to 30 million passengers when it is completed in 2017. The five year project will cost an estimated US$ 6.08 billion, and six bids are being reviewed for the construction phase with firms from Germany, South Africa and the United States. The contract should be awarded in the first quarter of 2012. The giant X shaped building will have one of the world's longest spanning arches with a height of more than 52 meters. In addition to the conventional airport facilities, the terminal will also house a luxury hotel and spa. The complex will include 20 to 25 thousand square meters of retail and food and beverage outlets, roughly equivalent to the current size of the Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi. These are set around an 8.4 thousand square meter indoor park, which will host Mediterranean plants and features at its centre and desert landscapes at its perimeter. As reported the official website of ADIA, piling works for the terminal building began in February 2009. ADAC announced the release of the MTB tender in January 2011. Abu Dhabi International Airport (ADIA), first open in 1982, is one of the two international airports for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, is located about 30 kilometer from Abu Dhabi city center, and is the home of Etihad Airways, the Abu Dhabi carrier.