Dubai Marina is a gleaming waterfront lined with yachts, glass towers and palm-shaded promenades. The district has long embodied the city’s vision of modern coastal living. Yet, a quarter of a century ago, none of it existed.
On October 17, 2000, officials gathered on a patch of empty desert to mark the start of construction on Dubai Marina – a multibillion-dirham project that would redefine the skyline and become one of the emirate’s most recognisable neighbourhoods.
Inspired by Vancouver’s False Creek, developer Emaar set out to create one of the Middle East’s first large-scale waterfront communities. More than two decades later, that vision has evolved into a dense urban hub of more than 200 towers and a population of about 120,000 residents. stretching along a 3km canal.
Dubai Marina today is both a residential enclave and a tourist magnet. Its retail and leisure mix remains a major draw – from Dubai Marina Mall and the bustling Marina Walk to The Beach and The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence. Visitors can take dhow cruises through the waterways at sunset or glide above the promenade on XLine, the world’s longest urban zip line. Restaurants, beach clubs and cinemas add to the area’s cosmopolitan energy, particularly during the cooler months.
While the skyline appears complete, development has not stopped. Emaar’s Marina Cove is among several off-plan projects under way in 2025, adding another wave of waterfront apartments and branded residences. Other luxury launches, such as Six Senses Residences and LIV Marina, continue to push the area further upmarket.
Dubai Marina continues to evolve as a model for mixed-use urban living. The district has seen a steady shift towards sustainability and smarter design, with newer towers incorporating energy-efficient systems, electric vehicle charging stations and enhanced pedestrian access.
Community initiatives, from pop-up markets to outdoor fitness events, have helped transform the area from a high-rise enclave into a lively neighbourhood with a strong sense of connection between residents, visitors and the waterfront.
Transport and infrastructure have kept pace with growth. The Dubai Tram and nearby metro stations at DMCC and Sobha Realty ensure easy access to the rest of the city, while proximity to Palm Jumeirah and Bluewaters Island keeps the district connected to new attractions.
Now, 25 years after breaking ground, Dubai Marina remains a work in progress – an ever-evolving landmark that reflects the emirate’s continuing ambition. What began as a bold idea on a barren shoreline has become one of Dubai’s defining achievements, where the desert truly meets the sea.
If you go
The flights
The closest international airport for those travelling from the UAE is Denver, Colorado. British Airways (www.ba.com) flies from the UAE via London from Dh3,700 return, including taxes. From there, transfers can be arranged to the ranch or it’s a seven-hour drive. Alternatively, take an internal flight to the counties of Cody, Casper, or Billings
The stay
Red Reflet offers a series of packages, with prices varying depending on season. All meals and activities are included, with prices starting from US$2,218 (Dh7,150) per person for a minimum stay of three nights, including taxes. For more information, visit red-reflet-ranch.net.
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 4/5
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Ticket prices
General admission Dh295 (under-three free)
Buy a four-person Family & Friends ticket and pay for only three tickets, so the fourth family member is free
Buy tickets at: wbworldabudhabi.com/en/tickets
BACK%20TO%20ALEXANDRIA
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Company%20profile
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PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur (3.30pm)
Burnley v Huddersfield Town (7pm)
Everton v Bournemouth (7pm)
Manchester City v Crystal Palace (7pm)
Southampton v Manchester United (7pm)
Stoke City v Chelsea (7pm)
Swansea City v Watford (7pm)
Leicester City v Liverpool (8.30pm)
Sunday
Brighton and Hove Albion v Newcastle United (7pm)
Monday
Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion (11pm)
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
MATCH INFO
Cricket World Cup League Two
Oman, UAE, Namibia
Al Amerat, Muscat
Results
Oman beat UAE by five wickets
UAE beat Namibia by eight runs
Namibia beat Oman by 52 runs
UAE beat Namibia by eight wickets
UAE v Oman - abandoned
Oman v Namibia - abandoned
Abdul Jabar Qahraman was meeting supporters in his campaign office in the southern Afghan province of Helmand when a bomb hidden under a sofa exploded on Wednesday.
The blast in the provincial capital Lashkar Gah killed the Afghan election candidate and at least another three people, Interior Minister Wais Ahmad Barmak told reporters. Another three were wounded, while three suspects were detained, he said.
The Taliban – which controls much of Helmand and has vowed to disrupt the October 20 parliamentary elections – claimed responsibility for the attack.
Mr Qahraman was at least the 10th candidate killed so far during the campaign season, and the second from Lashkar Gah this month. Another candidate, Saleh Mohammad Asikzai, was among eight people killed in a suicide attack last week. Most of the slain candidates were murdered in targeted assassinations, including Avtar Singh Khalsa, the first Afghan Sikh to run for the lower house of the parliament.
The same week the Taliban warned candidates to withdraw from the elections. On Wednesday the group issued fresh warnings, calling on educational workers to stop schools from being used as polling centres.
Three ways to boost your credit score
Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:
1. Make sure you make your payments on time;
2. Limit the number of products you borrow on: the more loans and credit cards you have, the more it will affect your credit score;
3. Don't max out all your debts: how much you maximise those credit facilities will have an impact. If you have five credit cards and utilise 90 per cent of that credit, it will negatively affect your score.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
Full Party in the Park line-up
2pm – Andreah
3pm – Supernovas
4.30pm – The Boxtones
5.30pm – Lighthouse Family
7pm – Step On DJs
8pm – Richard Ashcroft
9.30pm – Chris Wright
10pm – Fatboy Slim
11pm – Hollaphonic
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
