Dubai unveils plans to build the world’s first underwater luxury vessel resort, reported The Arabian Business. Valued at US$ 680 million, The Floating Venice will be located in The World islands, 4 kilometers offshore from Dubai and will bring an authentic Venetian experience to the Middle East, the developer Kleindienst Group said in a statement. This floating resort has a capacity of up to 3,000 guests daily, with accommodation, restaurants and recreation split over four decks, one of which is underwater. Guests will arrive by boat, seaplane or helicopter to the main Piazza San Marco where they can check-in at the underwater lobby. Gondola's imported from Venice will transport guests to their cabins through the winding canals, or alternatively a short stroll through canal side walkways and bridges will take them to their awaiting cabins. The developer said there will be a range of 414 bespoke cabins, alongside boutique hospitality spots and traditional artisanal shops. Throughout the year The Floating Venice will be a celebration of culture and the arts, where traditional festivals such as Carnivale di Venezia, Binnale di Venezia and Festa del Rendentore will bring the resort alive with the flair and heritage of Venice. The Floating Venice also offers 24 pools, some of which will have acrylic bases giving views of the coral reefs below. Over 37000 square meters of corals will be planted around The Floating Venice as well as 12 floating beaches. A collection of 12 restaurants and bars offer a variety of entertainment, three of which are underwater while the resort will also feature the world's first floating underwater spa. Kleindienst Group said the Floating Venice is designed to have a lifespan of at least 100 years. Construction is scheduled to begin early in 2018 with completion by the fourth quarter of 2020.

For those who deem the impressive Dubai skyline or fake palm-shaped islands not quite exotic enough, there is a new Emirati holiday home experience in town. A veritable village of 372 square meters underwater villas is set to lay anchor in the man-made World Islands, promising panoramic views of the Persian Gulf under the sea. The first Floating Seahorse villas were unveiled last year, but these new are an upgrade for those who wish to bring the whole family. Larger than its predecessors, The Signature Edition of The Floating Seahorse has three levels and four sleeping areas which can be altered to the wishes and whims of prospective owners, reported Daily Mail. One level is completely submerged under water, and features the master bedroom and entertainment room with a view of a “coral reef garden”. The living areas in the underwater level alone will span 80 square meters and the coral garden will exceed 56 square meters in size. The Floating Seahorse villas will cost between US$ 2.8 million and US$ 3.2 million and are anchored at the heart-shaped St Petersburg island. By the time of completion, estimated to 2018, there will be more than 125 floating villas. The Floating Seahorse villas are a part of a grand project which has been 15 years in the making. Construction of The World, an artificial archipelago in the shape of a world map some 4 kilometers off the coast, began in 2003. The 300 “fake” islands range from 14 000 to 42 000 square meters, and were intended to boost Dubai's property market with wealthy foreign investors. However, following the global financial crisis in 2008, the project stalled and all but a handful of the islands remain undeveloped. In 2009, the Heart of Europe project was announced, an ambitious development to turn six of the islands into a luxury tourist resort inspired by European countries, including Sweden, Germany and Italy. The Heart of Europe will be home to the world’s first climate-controlled streets, with technology that will drop artificial rain or snow on streets and plazas. Connected by bridges, the car-free islands will be able to accommodate as many as 16,000 people at once.

This New Year began with the news that artificial islands -The World are slowly sinking into the sea. The World consists of 300 islands, with 232 kilometers of coastline and a total area of 55 square kilometers. Things have not gone well for The World from the very moment of its creation; unlike another exclusive development project Palm Jumeirah, The World couldn't attract investments. Today the development of the events surprised everyone! Last week Google announced that it is going to buy those man-made troubled islands and rearrange it into the Google logo. According to Google report, after completion of the project the big "G" in Google, that will be formed from five islands, is going to be used as company's headquarter in Dubai and a staff private resort. The rest of Google- shaped islands will be sold through the auction the highest bidder. Among the reported implicit bidders on the remaining islands are Cameron Diaz and Leonardo DiCaprio, who had already reserved part of The World. Google is well known for its green and sustainable lifestyle and The Google Islands will be not an exception; they will be equipped with wind turbines, photovoltaic panels and even tidal power in order to maintain self-sufficient and premium life on the islands. Google will also hire top engineers to define the damage that the islands have sustained and reinforce them.