Dubai Fountain is one of the most iconic and recognisable attractions in the emirate, but it will be closed for the majority of the year while major upgrades are carried out.
Emaar, the property developer behind the fountain, has shared an expected reopening date and provided an update on what to expect when it returns.
While the world’s largest performing fountain is closed, new screens have been added to enhance the visitor experience in the area surrounding Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa.
Dubai Fountain is currently closed due to major redevelopments to make it even better than before. By Dubai’s standards, we’re in for a treat.
In an Instagram post, Emaar confirmed that it expects the Dubai Fountain to be fully operational by Wednesday October 1.
The first stage of the Dubai Fountain revamp involves closing down the attraction and removing the 30 acres of water, before alternative measures are installed (more about that below), so the hard work can begin.
After the official closure on Saturday April 19, the Downtown spot looks completely different without the huge artificial Burj Khalifa Lake. With already significant progress underway, we can’t wait to see the final result.
The post also explained that the old floor at the fountain would often crack and that the new shiny concrete flooring would be better at insulating water.
So, what can we expect with the upgrade? There will be advanced technology, improved choreography, and an enhanced sound and lighting system used in the regular performances.
The shows, held in the Burj Lake, saw the fountains spray up to 22,000 gallons of water as high as 140m in the air at any one time while accompanied by lights and music.
Robots will be used to move the water and control the lighting to create the best show possible.
The area surrounding Dubai Mall and Souk Al Bahar is one of the most popular places for visitors to the city as it offers a great view of the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountain show.
Emaar, the property developer behind Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa, will install 500 metres of state-of-the-art digital screens across the promenade while work is carried out on the Dubai Fountain.
The screens are designed to animate the location with engaging visual content, and it is hoped that they will keep the promenade busy while the fountain is closed.
In addition to the state-of-the-art screens, Emaar has also announced that rent for 50 food and beverage spots with lake and fountain-facing terraces will be waived for four months between June and September.
The affected terrace spaces are likely to experience a decline in footfall while upgrades are put in place at the Dubai Fountain.
Guests at restaurants in the area surrounding the Dubai Fountain would normally have an incredible view of the attraction’s nightly shows against the backdrop of the world’s tallest building.
While there will still be great views of the city and its most iconic building, the property developer is supporting its tenants during the temporary closure.
Mohamed Alabbar, founder of Emaar, highlighted the popularity of Dubai Fountain for visitors.
He said: “For years, Dubai Fountain and the surrounding lake have contributed significantly to the popularity of these destinations.
“As we move into a new chapter, this rent support reflects our commitment to long-term partnerships and to helping tenants navigate this transition with resilience and confidence.”
