Dubai is set to build the world’s largest Ferris wheel, nearly 250ft taller than the London Eye, to be completed in 2015.
Called the ‘Dubai Eye’ is set to be 690ft tall, and attract more than three million visitors a year.
The attraction is part of a one billion pound entertainment project called The Bluewaters Island, which was approved today.
The fake island will take two years to build, with the entire project set to finish in 2016.
‘The Dubai Eye will distinctively dominate the Dubai skyline,’ Abdullah Al Habbai, chairman of developers Meraas Holding, told The National.
‘This project will continue to build on the emirate's reputation as a leader in the global entertainment and retail landscape.’
The first phase of construction will include the island itself, the Dubai Eye and entertainment and retail zones, with low-rise residential buildings set to be added by 2016.
High hopes: The Bluewaters Island is a one billion pound entertainment project which developers hope will attract millions of tourists a year
Approval: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, far left, has given the go-ahead to the Bluewaters Island project today
The erection of the Dubai Eye will begin in June this year and upon its completion offer views of Dubai's coastline and landmarks such as the Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah and Burj Khalifa.
The Bluewaters Island is the latest in a series of developments announced by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The Sheikh recently approved a £1.75bn scheme to build five theme parks at Jebel Ali as well as a Universal Studios theme park and the world's biggest shopping mall.
