Work to start 'soon' on Dubai's underwater hotel

Chairman of Drydocks World and Maritime World says work on the Water Discus hotel will begin "very shortly".

An artist’s impression of what the Water Discus Hotel will look like when completed. Courtesy Big InvestConsult AG
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DUBAI // Plans to build a chain of underwater hotels are gathering speed.

The Water Discus hotel is the brainchild of Deep Ocean Technology, a Polish company, and the project is being financed by Big Invest of Switzerland.

The design consists of a number of huge discs, one of which rests on the seabed.

Bogdan Gutkowski, the chief executive of Big Invest, yesterday confirmed that the plan to build one of the hotels off the coast of Dubai was going ahead, though he could not give a timescale. The Swiss company signed an agreement last year with Dubai's Drydocks World to act as contractor.

An update on the project, released by the state news agency Wam, said the hotels would "be situated in all parts of the world".

Maldives' tourism ministry has also given the go-ahead for one to be built there.

Mr Gutkowski said it was not clear which location would complete its hotel first.

Khamis Juma Buamim, the chairman of Drydocks World and Maritime World, said: "We are delighted to be involved in this project to construct the first of its kind and very unique Water Discus hotel. It is a matter of deep pride and honour for us that, once again, we have been recognised as a facility which is able to construct and fabricate a leading-edge design and a world's-first concept.

"We look forward to the launch of construction very shortly and, as always, we are confident of providing a high-quality structure in a cost-effective and timely basis."

Mr Buamim was speaking after talks with Arkadiusz Majerski, the president and chief executive of Deep Ocean Technology, and Mr Gutkowski, during which the plans, engineering issues and structures were discussed.