Emaar Properties has unveiled a world-class permanent water fountain with an integral light and sound show in Downtown Burj Dubai.

This new iconic feature is set to be a global water-engineering marvel and will be one of the city’s major tourist attractions, expected to draw over 10 million visitors annually.

The fountain in Burj Dubai Lake will be Dubai’s complement to the world’s elegant water fountains. The total development value of the Burj Dubai Lake, the fountain and its advanced filtrations systems is Dh800 million ($218 million).

At over 900 ft in length – equivalent to that of over two football fields - it is about 25 per cent larger than The Fountains at Bellagio in Las Vegas in area. Powerful water nozzles shoot water sprays to heights of over 500 ft (150 metres) – equivalent to that of a 50-storey building.

Over 6,600 lights and 50 colour projectors create a vibrant visual spectrum of over 1,000 different water expressions that will appeal to visitors.

Different combinations of water-forms perform to selected musical pieces – chosen from a range of classical to contemporary Arabic and world music.

The fountain is positioned next to Burj Dubai, the world’s tallest building, and The Dubai Mall, one of the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destinations.

Announcing the new venture at a press conference in Dubai, on Monday, Mohamed Ali Alabbar, chairman, Emaar Properties, said: “The fountain on Burj Dubai Lake is more than a visual spectacle that adds to the aesthetics of Downtown Burj Dubai. It is an engineering marvel and will further contribute to Dubai’s rich array of tourist attractions.”

'With a varied roster of attractions in Downtown Burj Dubai, Emaar is further strengthening the tourism portfolio of Dubai. Burj Dubai, the world’s tallest building, has an observation deck on level 124 offering visitors unparalleled views from the top,' he said.

'Other components of the new downtown that appeal to global tourists include one of the world’s largest aquariums, an Olympic-sized ice rink and the largest indoor gold souk in The Dubai Mall, and a range of lifestyle events to be held at Burj Dubai Boulevard.”

Highlighting the historic significance of water fountains for the Arab world, Alabbar said: “Water fountains have been an integral component of the region’s civilization with several ancient monuments and palace gardens in the region featuring large utilitarian and decorative fountains.'

'The fountain in Burj Dubai Lake creates a new dimension to Downtown Burj Dubai and will create another social hub and community space for Dubai’s residents and visitors to get together.'

The Burj Dubai Lake is spread over 30 acres, and water filling using de-mineralised reverse osmosis treated water, is currently in progress. The fountain, when operational in all its glory, will have over 22,000 gallons of water in the air at any given moment. Its nozzles take water to different heights – from 70 ft to 500 ft. The 50 colour projectors provide the full spectrum of colour with a total output of 1.5 million lumens.

California-based WET Design – the designers of Bellagio - is the architect and designer of the fountain, which is being developed by a team of professionals from Turner Construction International (Project/Construction Manager) and other international specialists.

The fountain will be operational by early 2009 adding to the varied leisure and entertainment attractions of Downtown Burj Dubai, described as the ‘new soul of the city.’
The flagship mega-project of Emaar Properties, Downtown Burj Dubai has a development value of Dh73 billion ($20 billion) and is one of the most sought-after residential and commercial destinations in Dubai.-TradeArabia News Service