| Home | GCC | World | Industries | Markets | Opinion | Interviews | Photos | Video | Lists | Lifestyle | Topics | Jobs | Property | UOL |
Help, I forgot my username and/or password
A Dubai-based architect is seeking investors to launch a theme park in Dubai based around the famous Disney VW Bug Herbie, Arabian Business has learned.
Graham Henderson, owner of design firm Palmerstone, hopes to attract financing to build the project in Dubai after initial plans to bring the themed venue to Abu Dhabi fell through.
“The people in Abu Dhabi weren’t terrible supportive so we want to bring it to Dubai,” he said.
“I have a consignment of the original Herbie cars which are coming from a private collector… I think it would work really well at Dubai Autodrome. They can’t finance it but there is certain land available on the track we could use.”
The car collection includes the vehicles that appeared in the movies ‘Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo’ and the 2005 movie ‘Herbie: Fully Loaded’, which starred actress Lindsay Lohan.
“Imagine if you could pay for a lap in the Autodrome in Lindsay Lohan’s car,” said Henderson. “It is better than Ferrari World.”
Initial designs for ‘Herbieland’ include a central building in the shape of a giant baseball, which would house a museum, workshop and café.
The UAE plans to attract 15 million tourists by 2020 under efforts to diversify its petrodollar-driven economy. The capital is spending billions on visitor attractions such as Ferrari World and the Yas and Saadiyat island developments, in a bid to establish itself as a holiday destination.
Dubai unveiled the AED335bn Dubailand development at the peak of its real estate boom, featuring tie-ups with Universal Studios and Legoland and the world’s largest shopping mall.
The resort, which was originally slated to be twice the size of Walt Disney World, stalled in the wake of the global financial crisis.
Dubailand said in August it was in talks to renegotiate four projects in the resort and planned to unveil details of a sustainable city by the end of 2012.
The president of UAE conglomerate BinHendi Enterprises said in May that Dubai needed an entertainment resort on the size and scale of Disneyland if it is to establish itself as a global tourism destination.
Though Walt Disney Company was mooted in May as a potential partner for stalled Dubailand, the company has since said it has no plans to open in the region.
“We continually look for opportunities to grow our business and as a part of that process, we have conversations with many different entities,” a Walt Disney Company spokesperson said.
“While Dubai is an attractive market, we currently have no plans for the region.”
I just got a call from this number +971507896582 stating that I won 500000AED and that i should check the back of my sim card for some numbers and call... more
Friday, 25 May 2012 3:04 PM - hajaGiven that the start of the new month is determined by the moon sighting, isn't this going to make organising meetings for the following month a bit tricky... more
Thursday, 24 May 2012 1:24 PM - Mark RentonI am a UAE national married to an Iranian and her unwavering allegiance is toward Iran and she does not espouse any Arab cause, the same applies with my... more
Friday, 25 May 2012 11:54 PM - YasserTaking religion based decisions in such matters is wrong. It sends wrong signals and sets up bad precedence. What next? Will they stop serving beef in... more
Friday, 25 May 2012 12:15 PM - Skand BhargavaThere are so many promises with no substance out there that even none savvy buyers will think twice before taking risks on Dubai Real estate market. Too... more
Friday, 25 May 2012 9:19 PM - BobI just got a call from this number +971507896582 stating that I won 500000AED and that i should check the back of my sim card for some numbers and call... more
Friday, 25 May 2012 3:04 PM - hajaGiven that the start of the new month is determined by the moon sighting, isn't this going to make organising meetings for the following month a bit tricky... more
Thursday, 24 May 2012 1:24 PM - Mark RentonPalm Jumeirah = Disneyland. Is this the kind of community to invest in for a home ???? or a hotel ? It baffles me why people would invest in an apartment... more
Wednesday, 23 May 2012 4:13 PM - PaulI am a UAE national married to an Iranian and her unwavering allegiance is toward Iran and she does not espouse any Arab cause, the same applies with my... more
Friday, 25 May 2012 11:54 PM - YasserInstead of clinging to anything that reminisces you of your obliterated past, why don't you spend sometime fixing your disgraceful and humiliating present... more
Tuesday, 22 May 2012 9:30 PM - FahdI just got a call from this number +971507896582 stating that I won 500000AED and that i should check the back of my sim card for some numbers and call... more
Friday, 25 May 2012 3:04 PM - hajathe majority of expats (as most people here argue that its a majority painting an entire nation the villain)....why are the filipinos and indians not the... more
Sunday, 20 May 2012 9:17 AM - ArthurHOW CAN WE FORGET 2008, WHY DID YOU NOT FORGET TO PAY ALL YOUR STAFF BONUSES LIKE YOU HAVE DONE ON THE PAST TWO OCCASIONS , YET YOU CANT COMPENSATE OR... more
Wednesday, 16 May 2012 4:51 PM - MOOSAGiven that the start of the new month is determined by the moon sighting, isn't this going to make organising meetings for the following month a bit tricky... more
Thursday, 24 May 2012 1:24 PM - Mark RentonThe words one should read and think about are "it COULD make sense to sell Emirates in the future". Sir Flanagan does not say it does make sense at this... more
Thursday, 10 May 2012 11:16 AM - Paul dxb
Join the Discussion
Disclaimer:The view expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by Arabian Business, its employees, sponsors or its advertisers.
Please post responsibly. Commenter Rules