Yes, this is an actual villa floating along the Dubai Canal

Keep an eye out this weekend too, as more homes are set to float along Business Bay over the next few days…

We all know that Business Bay is getting a major overhaul – the under-construction Marasi Business Bay will feature floating restaurants, a park, a pier, a marina and more.

It will also have floating water villas – yes, as in homes that actually bob in the canal (will it feel like being on a water bed?).

And the first water villa has been spotted (under a sheath) floating down the Dubai Canal towards it permanent Business Bay home.

#OnlyInDubai

WHAT WILL BUSINESS BAY LOOK LIKE WHEN THIS IS ALL FINISHED?

In May last year it was announced that Business Bay was getting a major overhaul, with Marasi Business Bay adding a promenade, a marina and luxury homes to the new suburb’s Dubai Canal waterfront.

(Remember, the Dubai Canal has extended the Creek from Ras Al Khor to Jumeirah through Business Bay.)

Dubai moves fast, and the 12-km circular promenade that makes up part of the project is now mostly open (although it will be transformed as projects around it finish). At 12-kilometres-long and from 6-metres to 15-metres-wide, it is the largest promenade in the UAE (the Dubai Marina promenade is around 7.2 kilometres long).

Here’s what it will look like when fully completed:

This rendering shows how the Promenade will be round in shape (and how it will add to the landscape around the existing buildings of Business Bay). 

Here’s a glimpse of it:

The full Marasi Business Bay project – comprising of three separate areas called The Marina, The Park and The Pier – will be fully finished by 2023.

But The Marina and The Park will be ready by the end of this year according to reports. The Park will include 16 parks with water features, play areas and interactive furniture. There will also be an ampitheatre, an outdoor cinema and weekly markets. The Marina will be made up of five palm-tree-lined marinas. There will also be 100 ‘floating’ retail and F&B outlets out on the water, as well as onshore boutiques and restaurants.

And all this just 500 metres from Downtown Dubai, and right off of Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road.

*ALSO READ: Business Bay’s roads are getting an overhaul*

The Park area will have an events arena, floating restaurants and a ‘swimming pool lounge’. 

The new development is home to three RTA Marina stations, meaning those living in Business Bay will have another public transport option.

MORE ON THE FLOATING HOMES…

In a few years’ time the project will have what they’re calling “the UAE’s first water homes”, floating restaurants, and five marinas. Most of this will be completed by 2020 (and it will be completely finished in 2023), so perhaps the homes spotted this week are show homes. Oh, and how the water homes are ‘a first’ is yet to be clear. We’ll keep you updated.

The homes will have direct boat access and views straight out to the canal. The development hopes to become a bit of a yachting hub, with 1,250 berths for boats on offer as well as a fancy Yacht Club.

The Yacht Club area will have restaurants and be the section where you’ll find the ‘water homes’, pictured below:

Here’s a video that gives you more glimpses of the project:

There will also be 250,000 square metres of open space – including parks and the waterfront promenade. There will also be over 100 shops, including floating restaurants.

“The new project will strengthen the historic relationship between Dubai and its creek,” explained H.E. Mohammed Abdulla Al Gergawi, the Chairman of Dubai Holding.

“A substantial part of the development is set for completion by 2020, with overall works concluded by 2023. The total investment cost exceeds AED one billion, and will be self-financed in partnership with local financial institutions.”

Here’s a map that explains where everything will be:

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