Dubai: Dubai’s new fish market is 60 per cent complete and will be ready in the last quarter of 2015, a senior official said.
The market, being built at a cost of Dh268.8 million in Deira, will also become a tourist attraction because of its traditional Arabian design and the cultural aspects associated with such a place, Hussain Lootah, director-general of Dubai Municipality, said during a recent visit to the site.
Lootah was accompanied by Mohammad Al Shibani, director, Dubai Ruler’s Court, and other officials from the municipality.
“[It] will cope with the entire requirements of the community as a fish and vegetable market, as the civic body will provide best services ensuring the trade of fresh fish and healthy vegetables,” he added.
The project is taking shape opposite Dubai Hospital in Al Hamriya.
Lootah inspected the site, which will cover 110,000 square metres when complete.
The current fish market, located near Hyatt Regency Hotel on the Corniche, already draws scores of shoppers and tourists. However, the new market will be bigger and better, expected to replace the old one that has been a Dubai attraction since 1988.
It will also be air-conditioned with indoor shops as well, making it easy for customers to shop around comfortably.
Officials earlier had announced plans to include coffee shops, a hypermarket, almost 770 underground parking spaces and more than 700 outdoor parking spaces.
There will also be a 600-metre walkway and a pontoon for 65 boats bringing in their daily catch.
Tourists will be able to catch the sights and sounds of daily fish auctions and relax in an air-conditioned environment.
At the centre will be a two-storey main building housing the fish market on the ground floor and will also include dry food, meat, fruits and vegetables. Organic produce will be facilitated at the new destination.
By the first quarter of 2014, the municipality had registered 500 stalls to sell fish, 150 for fruit and vegetables, 72 for meat and 65 for dried fish.
In the main building, some 50 bazaars will also be allocated to sell miscellaneous items. Department stores and a hypermarket will take up the first floor, while the second floor will consist of a multi-purpose hall, offices and a number of coffee shops overlooking the Creek.
During the visit, Lootah was accompanied by assistant directors-general and senior officials of Dubai Municipality and representatives of contracting companies involved in the project.