Hydropolis Underwater Hotel

Hydropolis is the world’s first underwater luxury hotel still under construction. It is located 66 feet below the surface of the Persian Gulf, just off Jumeira beach in Dubai. Its transparent constructions will allow guests to see the aquatic life. It will consist of three aspects; the land station, the connecting tunnel and 220 suits. The visitors will be welcomed at the land station. The tunnel will be used to transfer people by train to the main area of the hotel. This unique architecture will occupy an area of 260 hectare.  There will be a variety of facilities like a cosmetic surgical clinic, a marine biological research laboratory and conference requirements. It will also have a huge aquarium. This project is supposed to be completed in the year 2009. Have a look at this luxury hotel which will be an attraction in Dubai. You can experience your stay underwater after its launch. This hotel aims to create awareness about the sea and the marine life. Shopping, dining, partying, travelling and staying in Dubai are majestic experiences. Live life king size while holidaying in Dubai. Have you ever though of spending holidays under water? Try it out at Dubai.

The £300m, 220-suite hotel was due to open by the end of 2006 but has experienced delays and is now scheduled to open in 2009. It will incorporate a host of innovations that will take it far beyond the original blueprint for an underwater complex worthy of Jules Verne.

There are only a few locations in the world where such a grandiose dream could be realised. A high proportion of today’s architectural marvels are materialising like fanciful mirages from the desert sands. We have come to expect extravagant enterprises to be mounted in the Middle East, and especially in Dubai. “This venture could only be born here in Dubai,” says Hauser. “It [has] a very open-minded, international community – and that’s what makes it so special.”

The land on which Hydropolis is being built belongs to His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. It was his last free beach property on this stretch of coast. The project is a fantastic one, yet Sheikh Mohammed’s success record with comparable schemes instils confidence that science fiction can become fact. With his support, several companies have been formed to kick-start this phenomenal project, and around 150 firms are currently involved.

“There have been many visions of colonising the sea – Jules Verne, Jean Gusto and several Japanese architects – but no one has ever managed to realise this dream,” says Hauser. “That was the most challenging factor, and that’s what makes it so fascinating. Despite being a dream of mankind for centuries, nobody has ever been able to make living underwater possible.”

MARINE ARCHITECTURE

This structure promises to be a conceptual as well as a physical landmark. While human beings accept the existence of water, we have only a superficial appreciation of its significance. “We waste it, go swimming in it and generally take it for granted,” says Hauser. “Humans could actually live self-sufficiently underwater, generating energy, nurturing food supplies and so on. This is why we are starting a foundation to demonstrate something of the importance of water in our lives.

“My general plan was to create a living space in the sea. My initial proposal was a deep-sea project, which looked very different. I had to adjust to the local reality of the natural surroundings and change to a shallow-water construction.

“We want to create the first ever faculty for marine architecture because I believe that the future lies in the sea, including the future of city planning. I am certain that one day a whole city will be built in the sea. Our aim is to lay the first mosaic by colonising the sea.”

Hauser plans to incorporate many different elements associated with the sea. The cosmetics will be ocean-based, the cinemas will screen films that focus on aquatic themes and a children’s seaworld will educate as well as entertain.

He views his creation as a place where those who do not dive – or do not even swim – can experience the tranquillity and inspiration of the underwater world. “We are expecting around 3,000 visitors a day in addition to the hotel guests. The aim is to inspire people to develop a new awareness of the sea.”

As well as emphasising the positive aspects of water, Hauser also believes we are systematically destroying marine life, and thus wishes to draw attention to various dangers and problems, such as the loss of algae and the destruction of the coral reefs.

FUNDING AND DEVELOPMENT

Dreams, however fabulous, remain unfulfilled without the cash to support the commitment. “The hardest part of the process was finding sponsorship to the tune of €550m,” admits Hauser. “That’s what brought me to Dubai. Still, it was a battle which took two-and-a-half years and proved tougher than developing the project itself. No bank would pay such an amount. It’s a risky investment, as there are no pilots. We had to convince investors that it is safe and will bring returns on investment.”

With official blessing, the Dubai Development & Investment Authority (DDIA) established a framework to handle grants and authorisations. Once the financial backing was guaranteed, the sonar analysis of the seabed complete and 7,000 anchors in place, construction began in summer 2005.

“We are sure that this hotel will set a precedent,” says Hauser. “Crescent-Hydropolis is now planning a chain of underwater hotels, and nine countries have shown interest. Some will be the realisation of my initial deep-sea design.” Hauser has even chosen to make his permanent home in Dubai. “And that won’t change after the project [is finished], regardless of where our next project will be. The infrastructure is exceptionally good here – and it seldom rains!”