Dubai: Dubai Municipality and Dubai Land Department are gearing up to help make a planned Dh3 billion facelift of Dubai Souq a reality, said senior officials.
On the heels of the announcement of a massive makeover of Dubai Souq, with a new skyscraper at Dubai Creek bend as well as six hotels and new trade and residential complexes, Dubai Municipality is already making plans for several large-scale changes to the landscape of the souq area.
The project is expected to encompass an area of about four kilometres in the historical centre of Dubai.
Hussain Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality, told Gulf News that the project will take on the features of Al Ras, one of the oldest communities in Deira that border the Creek.
The project will be developed through two main phases to be a leading local souq as well as an entertainment hub for visitors and residents on the Dubai waterfront.
“The first phase of Deira Souk will be extended from Hyatt Regency Hotel to the fish market, which will be shifted to a different area next month,” Lootah said.
While Dubai Municipality will not develop the project — that is being done by Dubai Investment and through different phases — Lootah said municipal officials have offered suggestions and recommendations to help in “portraying a clear vision about the Souq”.
Dubai Investment were not available for comment.
The aim of the project, he said, is to retain the old character of Dubai, which is clearly abundant in areas around Al Ras.
Sultan Butti Bin Mejren, Director General of the Land Department, said Deira Souk is a huge project and a very ambitious development that will offer entertainment, retail, hotels and resorts, as well as a renewed centre for a thriving business community.
All other facilities will offer a new experience for both residents and visitors but a new modern design that carries the spirit of older generations of Dubai and Emirati people.
“With the immense size of the planning and developing works, Land Department will be quite involved in the process of registration and regulation in the case of selling and leasing on the project master plan,” he said.
Both government entities will also be involved heavily with the creation of a Dh1.5 billion suspended canal that will connect the Dubai Creek extension to the Gulf through Jumeirah.
