Construction of Taj Arabia, a US$1bn replica of the Taj Mahal in Dubais FalconCity, will begin in June 2013 and is expected to be completed by mid 2015
A Gulf News report quoting Taj Arabia developer Link Global director, Arun Mehra, said that the 400-room five-star hotel would be managed by India-based hotel operator Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts.
Taj Arabia, which will be promoted as a wedding destination, will overlook a retail area specialising in gold and wedding outfits.
Links Global has been flooded with requests from jewellers and other retailers to rent spaces for the retail development, Mehra said.
Mehra told Gulf News, ?The response has been very good, from local jewellers who own large chains and others outside Dubai.? He added that Taj Arabia would be designed, like Taj Mahal, on the theme of love.
?The Taj Mahal is a monument of love. Taj Arabia is designed on the theme of a monument of love,? Mehra said.
The project will also include the Moghul Gardens, a courtyard-style retail area specialising in wedding requirements, a wedding hall with a capacity for 3,000 guests and two service apartment buildings for wedding guests.
