'Floating towers' to hover over Dubai

Real estate developer Omniyat Properties is to build a $266.7 million ‘floating’ towers development in Dubai that will be designed by London-based Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid.

Unveiled to investors in London today, Omniyat said the Opus development would appear to hover above the ground.

Located near the World Trade Centre in the Business Bay district currently under construction in Dubai, the 22-storey development consists of three separate towers designed to appear as a single cube-shaped structure.

The structure will also feature an asymmetrical hole through its centre, dubbed “the void”, which will be clad in reflective curved glass.

The outside of the towers will be covered in a glass façade featuring patterns.

"This is a building that challenges traditional concepts of office space,” said Hadid. “Not only will it be visually stunning, it will also be a workable space, and a place that allows every occupant to experience a better quality working environment, using the very latest technological advances."

Within the 1.7million square foot development, there will be a retail area on the ground, first and second floors, while the top floor will feature a ‘tranquility zone’, beach deck, reflective pool, shaded roof terrace and a gym.

"The Opus project combines art and performance with form and functionality," said Mehdi Amjad, president and CEO of Omniyat Properties.

"The strategic location, stunning exterior and the extensive range of facilities make the Opus project a strategic buy for potential investors who can expect considerable returns on their investment," he added.

The project will be launched at Cityscape property exhibition in Dubai in October 2007. Construction is due to start later this year and the project should be completed by 2010.

Omniyat is also working on the 30-storey One Business Bay tower (designed by German architect Kling Consult), the Bayswater commercial tower in the downtown district, and The Square, a real estate compound in the Al Mamzar area of Dubai.