Dubai Fountain closed for renovation? Here’s what’s happening behind the scenes

Dubai: If you've been wondering why the Dubai Fountain has gone quiet, you're not alone. The world-famous dancing fountain wrapped up its last show in April and is now undergoing a five-month-long facelift. But what exactly is happening behind those construction fences by the Dubai Mall Waterfront Promenade?

Emaar, the developer behind the iconic attraction, recently shared a behind-the-scenes video on Instagram, giving fans a rare look at the massive maintenance work underway. From glowing new tiles to water-cleaning robots, here’s what’s being upgraded at one of Dubai’s most visited landmarks.

Emaar, the developer behind the world-famous attraction, recently shared a behind-the-scenes look at the renovation work in progress.

Posted on Instagram, the video gives a rare glimpse into what it takes to keep the world’s largest choreographed fountain running and the scale is nothing short of impressive.

One of the main upgrades is the installation of a new floor. In the video, Emaar explains that the old surface would occasionally crack, prompting the need for a more durable and water-resistant base.

The new flooring includes a special waterproofing layer applied over treated concrete blocks, topped with a primer and insulation system to improve water retention.

The result? A floor that not only performs better but also visually stuns, wherever you sit around the lake, you will now see blue tiles glowing beneath the water.

To put it into perspective, the lake spans an area roughly the size of 18 football fields. Beneath its calm surface lies a highly complex system of water jets, robotic arms, and synchronised lighting, all working together to ‘dance’ to music.

According to the engineering team, programming just one song takes several weeks. There are robots that choreograph water movement, others that manage the lighting, and fixed jets that spray water in precise sync with the beats.

Hundreds of workers are involved in the renovation, working across the lake and behind the scenes to get everything ready. The water, by the way, is about 1.3 metres deep, shallow enough to work in, but deep enough to hold those powerful jets.

Underwater robots are used to clean the lakebed, and the newly installed soft flooring is designed to make the cleaning process faster and more efficient.

Water samples are also taken regularly from various points in the lake to ensure quality standards are maintained.

While the Dubai Fountain is temporarily out of action, visitors won’t be left disappointed. The area is currently surrounded by construction fences but with a twist.

The fencing has smart display screens playing footage of the Dubai Fountain in action, beautifully timed with the Burj Khalifa light show. So even though the real fountain is being serviced, you can still enjoy a synchronised visual treat.