The Volcano Fountain, a prominent landmark of Abu Dhabi, will soon disappear as it is being demolished as part of the ongoing redevelopment of the Corniche.

It is the third famous feature of the city to be axed under redevelopment plans, following the demolition of the GCC Roundabout near the InterContinental Hotel in May and the Twin Onion Tanks on Electra Street several years ago.

The Volcano Fountain has been a popular place for families to stroll in the evenings as it is an ideal place to breathe the fresh sea air.

It has come under the redevelopment projects of the Corniche, which include theme parks, a service road, entertainment and recreational facilities and new landmarks.

A new and bigger landmark, according to official sources, will replace the fountain when the work on the Corniche is finished.

The fountain was built in mid 1980s as part of the city's beautification plan. Like the GCC Roundabout, it was also built just before one of the GCC summits in UAE.

The GCC roundabout, a cylindrical-structured fountain, decorated with images of falconry and the national flags of the six GCC states fluttering on six towers, has already been demolished.

The next landmark of the city lined up for demolition is the Old Souq, which is likely to be levelled after Ramadan.

A new market complex will be built on the site and a new design will reflect a traditional Islamic souq.

The Abu Dhabi Municipality and Town Planning Department has already awarded the project for the new market to the Arab Engineering Bureau, a major multi-disciplinary consulting firm based in the Gulf. Its Abu Dhabi branch, Al Arabi International Engineering Bureau, is carrying out the design and supervision work.

After the work starting on the project, the souq will be completed within 18 months and all original tenants will be allowed to return to their shops in the new market.

With underground parking to solve the problem of the lack of parking for cars, it will also contain all kinds of services that may be required for such a development such as mosques, restaurants, bank branches, public toilets, entertainment centres, tunnels, green areas and other facilities.

Another landmark to disappear is the Clock Tower on the Corniche. However, the current landmark will be replaced with a similar but taller structure.

It will be replaced with a 70-metre tower, with eating and entertainment outlets as part of the ongoing Dh800 million Corniche improvement project.

Other developments include nearly 3,500 new parking bays to ensure no congestion occurs.
Construction will also include 11 underpasses for pedestrians and a man-made lake of around 10,000 square metres.

As part of the project, 800,000 square metres of land has been reclaimed on the shoreline for the various landmarks.

The project covers a six-kilometre area stretching from the Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street and Sheraton hotel to Mina Zayed.

FACTFILE

Famous features awaiting the axe

The fountain was built in mid 1980s as part of the city's beautification plan. Like the GCC Roundabout, it was also built just before one of the GCC summits in UAE. A new and bigger landmark will replace the fountain when the work on the Corniche is finished.

The next landmark of the city lined up for demolition is the Old Souq.

Another landmark to disappear is the Clock Tower on the Corniche.