Dubai, UAE; December 27, 2010: This New Year’s Eve, the place to be in is Dubai, as the city’s ‘Global Icon,’ Burj Khalifa – the world’s tallest building by Emaar Properties – rings in 2011 with an unprecedented spectacular that will elevate the city to the league of the world’s most sought-after destinations for New Year’s Eve celebrations.
In the proud tradition of the gala celebrations marked around iconic structures such as the Sydney Opera House, Paris Eiffel Tower and at New York Times Square, Dubai is welcoming the world with the Burj Khalifa New Year’s Eve Gala.
Mr Ahmad Al Matrooshi, Managing Director, Emaar Properties, said: “The Burj Khalifa New Year’s Eve gala is our tribute to the celebratory spirit of Dubai, home to over 200 nationalities, and a truly global city. The celebrations will put the international spotlight on the city, and drive the destination as the must-visit place for New Year’s Eve celebrations.”
Also marking the first anniversary of Burj Khalifa, which soars high at 828 metres (2,716.5 ft), the New Year’s Eve Gala has a mystique theme that encompasses the entire Downtown Dubai community, the 500-acre mega development by Emaar, described as ‘The Centre of Now.’
At the heart of the flourishing lifestyle community is Burj Khalifa, which will usher in the New Year with a colourful countdown followed by a laser-fireworks-lights spectacle. Flagging off the celebrations is a fire-water performance of The Dubai Fountain, the world’s tallest performing fountain overlooking Burj Khalifa.
The Dubai Fountain will sway to the rhythm of world music, with fire flames and water jets in harmonious flutter, creating a spellbinding effect on viewers. As the countdown for the New Year begins, the Downtown Dubai community will be enveloped with lights and lasers effects.
Large television panels will display the countdown, and the New Year will be ushered in with a dazzling fireworks-laser-lights display atop Burj Khalifa – marking it as the world’s highest fireworks celebration for the New Year.
Music, specially composed for the event, will add to the surreal ambience, offering spectators a never-before-experienced New Year’s Eve gala. The celebration will continue for another hour with The Dubai Fountain performing continuously to a range of world and Arabic music.
Party lovers can continue the celebration by heading to At the Top, Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest observation deck with an outdoor terrace, where they can enjoy panoramic night views of the city and beyond.
The Burj Khalifa New Year’s Eve gala is open for the public, who can enjoy the celebrations from Burj Park, an island overlooking Burj Khalifa, and set on the Burj Lake. They can also view the sparkling extravaganza from the Waterfront Promenade lining the adjacent Dubai Mall.
The celebrations for New Year’s Eve will start way ahead with the television screens, erected in strategic locations, also relaying the New Year’s Eve celebrations from around the world.
While Burj Khalifa was honoured with the ‘Global Icon’ status by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) recently, an honour bestowed for tall structures only once in 10 to 15 years, At the Top, Burj Khalifa was most recently voted as the ‘Best Tourist Attraction’ at the ‘Best in Dubai’ awards.
A fully-established community with world-class homes, commercial space and the world’s first Armani Hotel Dubai, Burj Khalifa is now ‘A Living Wonder.’ It anchors Downtown Dubai, the most definitive lifestyle development in the city, which also features two malls – The Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destination, and Souk Al Bahar.
The Dubai Mall is the world’s largest shopping center with 1,200 retail stores including 160 F&B outlets, and features Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo; the Middle East’s first and only SEGA Republic; a dedicated children’s edutainment centre KidZania®; an Olympic-sized Dubai Ice Rink and Dubai’s largest megaplex, Reel Cinemas.
In addition to homes and offices, Downtown Dubai features six world-class hotels – Armani Hotel Dubai; The Address Downtown Dubai; The Address Dubai Mall; The Palace – The Old Town; and Al Manzil and Qamardeen at The Old Town. Emaar Boulevard, a 3.5 km boulevard, is another attraction at Downtown Dubai and hosts several lifestyle activities.
