Homes built but Dubailand waits for shops and restaurants

By Hugh Naylor  www.thenational.ae

DUBAI // The sprawl of construction rubble encircling the few Dubailand communities that have been completed is one of the issues facing the Dh235 billion development. Residents also complain about a lack of facilities.

Completed and partially completed villas sit next to stalled projects in Dubai Sports City. Amy Leang / The National

For many residents, the project has induced a feeling of isolation because of a dearth of places to meet. A dozen or so kilometres from Victory Heights – a collection of European-style villas and manicured lawns in Dubailand – were meant to be communities with restaurants, plush hotels and malls.

“There aren’t any,” said Donna Sheridan, a 42-year-old Briton who recently moved into Victory Heights, when asked if there were nearby restaurants, groceries or convenience stories. “Well,” she said, “there is this one Portacabin shop nearby. I guess there are things to buy in there but it’s not inviting. It’s a prefab shack.”

Most of the area set aside for the Dubailand project’s planned 55 hotels and seven theme parks have not yet moved beyond initial construction stages.

Just across from the golf course that winds its way through her neighbourhood are more villas. While unfinished, they seem to be the few buildings that soon could be completed.

Still, slivers of Dubailand are slowly coming to life. Along the promenade of the Motor City development near the Dubai Autodrome is a Spinneys supermarket and there are restaurants bustling with people from Victory Heights and the nearby Arabian Ranches.