NEWS

Organizers of the Dubai Marathon say a new route will take runners past Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, as well as the Middle East’s largest shopping mall. The Jan. 27 race will have runners start in the shadow of Birj Khalifa before heading past the Dubai Mall. The route then takes runners past the Dubai World Trade Center and along the coast.

Ara Gallery in Burj Plaza, Downtown Dubai, has announced the five finalists of its Art At The Top competition, a search for an artist to display their work in At The Top on the pinnacle floor of the Burj Khalifa. Hamad Al Falasi, Hamdan Buti Al Shamisi, Nashwa Zakariya, Nasir Nasrallah and Zeinab Alhashemi have all got to the final round after submitting their portfolios in an open call announced on June 18.

Armani is credited with pioneering the concept of the lifestyle brand, and today his empire encompasses a couture line, several ready-to-wear lines, underwear, perfume, cosmetics, cafés and homeware. But the latest must-have in an Italian designer's portfolio is a hotel or two; Missoni and Versace have their own and Moschino unveiled one here in Milan this week. Not to be outdone, Armani will open his first hotel in April in the Burj Tower in Dubai.

World Cup fans are in for a treat as “One”, a luxurious Marquee built especially for the occasion of 2010 FIFA World Cup, is set to open its doors today to receive spectators of the upcoming global event running from 11th June to 11th July.

It has been reported that following an elevator break down which left visitors trapped over 120 stories above the land and forced it to shut, on Sunday, the observation deck of the world’s tallest tower reopened in Dubai. It is said that there were dozens of visitors lined up to buy tickets for the 124 floor of the half-mile-high Burj Khalifa. The deck was closed in February.

Burj Khalifa was the undisputed winner in the ‘Building Project of the Year’ category sponsored by Technal Middle East, while the ‘Transport Project of the Year’ sponsored by Cadillac was picked up Dubai Metro Red Line.

Depa Limited, the interior design contractor who fitted out the Emirates Palace Hotel, Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa, has signed a $60m contract in Angola, the Dubai-based company announced on Wednesday. Based in Dubai, but with sixteen offices and 8,000 staff worldwide, Depa has worked on projects such as the Atlantis Hotel, Armani Hotel and Burj Al Arab in Dubai, Yas Island and Emirates Palace hotels in Abu Dhabi, the Dubai Metro, Dubai Airport and the Savoy and Waldorf hotels in London.

An exciting new brunch destination has debuted in Downtown Dubai, with the launch of a signature, all-Italian experience, the Friday Vita at Armani/Peck, the authentic Milan-inspired deli atArmani Hotel Dubai. Guests can select from different free flow packages from arrival, starting at AED 240 featuring soft beverages, AED 340 with selected house beverages, and AED 550 with premium beverages.

The city has, of course, changed beyond recognition. The narrow creek has been widened and the population grown to a million permanent residents – a high proportion of whom are expatriates. The city is also full of parks and, although it is on the edge of a desert, they are green and full of fountains filled with desalinated sea water.

The gallery will hold the opening ceremony at Residences 2, Shop S-08 in Downtown Dubai, on Burj Khalifa Lake. A ‘concept’ gallery founded by Moza Mohammed Al Abbar, the gallery aims to expose young and aspiring artists from around the Arab world.