Get ready for some added culture coming to Dubai.
The Dubai Opera, which drew design inspiration from traditional Emirati dhows, is slated to open its doors later this year with a capacity of 2,000 seats.
"Inspired by the maritime traditions of Dubai and as iconic in appearance as the world-famous Sydney Opera House, Dubai Opera is styled on the traditional sailing vessels of the Arabian Gulf, the classic wooden dhows that are synonymous with the world-famous Dubai Creek," Emaar, the master developer for the project, told Gulf News .
Explaining the design in detail, Emaar told Gulf News that "the ‘bow’ of the structure would contain Dubai Opera’s main stage, orchestra and seating areas, as well as the proposed sky garden and restaurants. The elongated ‘hull’ area will feature the waiting areas for spectators, taxi-drop off area, and parking amenities."
Situated near Dubai's central monument, the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Opera will be the key element of the new Opera District development. The new opera facility will be used to host concerts, theater performances, conferences and exhibitions.
"The state-of-the-art opera house and the varied lifestyle components of The Opera District will energise Dubai’s events and tourism sectors. With the city establishing its global reputation as an arts hub," Mohammad Alabbar, chairman of Emaar Properties, told Gulf News.
Previously, it was reported that the Dubai Opera would be completed by March of this year. It doesn't look like the project will make that deadline. However, according to the Dubai Opera Twitter, the project will definitely be ready by late 2016.