Dubai, renowned for its cutting-edge architecture, is set to embark on a new venture: constructing a colossal moon replica atop a skyscraper, with an estimated cost exceeding £4 billion.
Canadian entrepreneur Michael Henderson, the co-founder of this ambitious project named “Moon,” envisions placing a massive 274-meter-wide sphere on top of a 30-meter-high building. This structure is designed to give visitors the sensation of being on the moon without leaving Earth.
The project, funded by Moon World Resorts, is expected to draw over 2.5 million visitors annually and generate revenue of more than £1.5 billion each year.
Henderson expressed confidence in the project’s success, stating,
“We have the biggest ‘brand’ in the world. Eight billion people know our brand, and we haven’t even started yet.”
Inside the moon-shaped resort, guests will find a 4,000-room hotel, a 10,000-seat arena, a nightclub, and a wellness center.
A unique feature will allow visitors to experience what it’s like to walk on the moon, thanks to a specially designed “lunar colony.
” Additionally, the moon will illuminate at night, mimicking the phases of a full, half, or crescent moon.
Henderson and his co-founder Sandra G. Matthews believe that this project will have a significant impact on the UAE’s economy, particularly in tourism.
They stated, “[It] will be the largest and most successful modern-day tourism project in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, doubling annual tourism visitations to Dubai based on its global appeal, brand awareness, and unique multiple integrated offerings.”