The UAE’s first-ever “water home” has it made its way along the city’s newest attraction – the Dubai Canal – to berth at Marasi Business Bay .

Dubai Properties, the real estate master developer behind the project, said over the coming days the city will see more homes float into Marasi as part of the company’s transformation of the bustling commercial hub of Business Bay.

Marasi Business Bay, once complete, will not only feature state-of-the-art water homes that come with pools and are surrounded by floating restaurants, it will also see the Park, the Pier and the Marina that will eventually comprise 800 berths, stretch along the Dubai Canal, making it the region’s first purpose-built yachting hub at the heart of the city, according to Dubai Properties.

The Dh1 billion mixed-use development was unveiled by Dubai Properties Group, a member of Dubai Holding, at Cityscape Global 2016. The firm says the project is “well on track to becoming the city’s most sought-after waterfront destination”. Last month, the larger Business Bay district was ranked among the must-see neighbourhoods in the world by Lonely Planet.

The Roads and Transport Authority in November announced the opening of nine marine stations on Dubai Water Canal, four at Business Bay and five along the Dubai Canal.

With the Dubai Creek, Business Bay and Dubai Canal flowing into each other, linking Bur Dubai, Deira, Oud Metha, Zabeel, Karama, Satwa and parts of Jumeirah and Al Safa to form island, it is hoped that opting for marine transport is seen as an ideal way to beat the traffic.

Ferries and water taxis as well as luxury yachts can cruise from Deira, Bur Dubai and Dubai Marina all the way to Jumeirah and Bussiness Bay.

The water homes are a considerable turnkey project for Dubai Properties. The project is part of the firm’s ambitions to “introduce real estate innovation that combines centuries of ship buildin heritage with cutting-edge design that will forever transform waterfront living in the emirate”, it said.

Source www.thenational.ae