Progress report on The Palm Jumeirah

The  Palm Jumeirah – which was announced back in 2001 – has now become the largest man-made island in the world. Like the Great Wall of China, it too can be viewed from outer space. It’s so vast that its  construction will require some 94 million cubic metres of sand and a mere 7 million tonnes of rock.   With some people having moved in last year and 75% of the initial 4,000 properties ready for handover, the first phase of the project is nearing completion.   This will be followed next year with the opening of Atlantis, The Palm – a 1,500 room resort and water theme park – and, by the end of 2009, hotels from the likes of Hilton, Radisson and Movenpick should also be in evidence.   The centrepiece of the island, however, is reserved for the 61-storey Trump International Hotel and Tower, a mixed-use hotel and residential building sited on the Palm’s trunk.   At the tip of the trunk will be the six towers of the Marina Residences, said to be on schedule for completion by the end of 2008, with 20% already finished. With the Palm Monorail also due to be completed by the end of next year, the project’s developer Nakheel must be delighted with their progress to date.