NEWS

Emirates Green Building Council (Emirates GBC), an organisation aimed at conserving the environment by strengthening and promoting green building practices in the UAE, will host a networking event on 'How Masdar is Greening its Supply Chain - The Future Build Portal' on Feb. 23, from 7 to 8.30pm at The Address Dubai Mall hotel.

A new contemporary art space, The Pavilion Downtown Dubai, is set to open on Thursday February 24. The non-commercial space aims to provide a place to view, discuss and participate in work by local and international artists. The building hosts two gallery spaces. It was formerly a sales office and is situated in Downtown Dubai, opposite the Burj Khalifa.

As the Burj Khalifa lit up the Dubai sky with fireworks in the early hours of 2011, the world’s tallest tower was days away from another anniversary – its first birthday. From his office on the 42nd floor of Emirates Towers, Eric Tomich wouldn’t have been able to see the fireworks, because although the southern side of the twin towers commands excellent views of the Burj Khalifa, Tomich’s office faces Sheikh Zayed Road and Dubai Creek.

"I have [seen] on TV the tallest building in Dubai, but nothing can describe the feeling when you [are] under the giant Burj Khalifa or when you see the whole of Dubai from the top," he added. "Dubai has many beautiful places and buildings, but Burj Khalifa was the one I wanted to see."

"A fantastic and very rare opportunity in Dubai and in the world. This huge, four-bedroom apartment with stunning views over Dubai is located above the 100th floor. (Residential units in the Burj Khalifa are only up to the 108th floor.) "From all rooms of the apartment the owner enjoys views over the blue sea, the skyline of Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai Creek, Zabeel Palace of Skeikh Mohammed, the Dubai Mall, Old Town with the fountain, the desert and Business Bay.

Sculptured by Syrian artist Lutfi Romhein, ‘Together’ features an Arab couple dressed in the iconic white dish-dasha and black kandoora in typical Emirati style, made from Italian Carrara marble and Swedish black granite. Commissioned by the owner of the Courtyard Gallery, Samia Saleh, the 4.25 metre-high sculpture rest on a granite base, near the entrance to Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.

Located in Downtown Dubai opposite Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, The Pavilion was formerly the sales office of Emaar Properties. Emaar together with the multidivisional group Cultural Engineering joined forces to renovate the building and convert it to form a culturally based programme for the community. The Pavilion supports a dialogue between art and its audience further enhancing the cultural landscape of the city, creating a place for families, enthusiasts, patrons and visitors.

The recently-launched At.mosphere at the Burj Khalifa, the world's highest restaurant, located on the 122nd floor of the tower, which demands a minimum spend of Dh450 per person was fully booked for the night. "At.mosphere ... is fully booked for February 14 - for both lunch and dinner, at both The At.mosphere grill and The At.mosphere lounge," a spokesman for the restaurant said. "The regulations, announced much earlier, have not impacted bookings. In fact, the restaurant has received overwhelming response since its opening in January."

Outside the shopping malls the tourists can choose among a plethora of attractions and activities including the performances of the Dubai Fountain reaching 275 meters in height or walk on the outdoor observation deck of the highest man-made structure in the world – the skyscraper Burj Khalifa (828 m). Tourists are also often lured to explore the artificial archipelago – Palm Islands.

After an intense first round, four teams of the best, young culinary talent from leading hotels across the UAE will compete in the final of the Anchor MasterChef Challenge title later this week (15 February). In just two days time, chefs from The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina; The Address Downtown Dubai; Grand Millennium Abu Dhabi and Grosvenor House, Dubai, will be facing a 'mystery basket' round, which will test their culinary skill and creative flair to the limit.