Azizi Milan will be at the heart of a new fashion capital in the Middle East, say its developers. Photo: AETOSWire.
Imitation, it has been said, is the sincerest form of flattery but UAE developers Azizi Developments wants to take it to another level.
They have unveiled plans for Azizi Milan, an imitation of Milan, at a launch event which featured 10,000 guests at a Dubai arena earlier this week.
Azizi Milan is expected to cost A$75 billion to build over 40.350 million square feet (3.74 million square metres) and house 144,000 people.
Azizi Developments founder and chairman Mirwais Azizi makes no bones about the source of inspiration for the concept.
“Much like the famed city of Milan, known for its beauty and elegance, Azizi Milan will embody the spirit of Italian living right here in Dubai,” he says.
He believes that the city will make Dubai the “fashion capital of the Middle East”.
Azizi Milan’s design, Azizi says, will reflect Milan’s cultural heritage, adding aesthetics to function such as the use of arches.
“Azizi Milan is poised to become the fashion capital of the region with pedestrian-only fashion streets, each dedicated to their realm of fashion, including one for perfumery, one for cosmetics, and more for bags, dress fashion, and beyond,” Azizi says.
There will be high-fashion brands and boutique shops, cafes, fine dining — and a nightlife that will take in fashion shows and other events.
Green building practices will be used, and each building is expected to feature a rooftop garden, Azizi says.
Infinity pools will be framed by greenery with panoramic elevators, fountains and water features, sports courts and other facilities are part of the plan.
Other facilities include a sprawling mall, luxury hotels, retail districts, office spaces and amenities like schools, nurseries, mosques and parks.
Its tallest towers are expected to reach 70 stories with low- to mid-rises of 25 to 35 stories at the centre.
To be located on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311), Azizi Milan will also be situated close to a future Blue Line metro station, the developers say.
RECRUITMENT EFFORTS
The developer also says it recruited 1620 staff in four months and will recruit 7000 more by the end of the year.
The company says its workforce stands at nearly 36,000 (about 6000 are white collar professionals) taking in 90 nationalities.
Azizi Developments says it wants to recruit more staff with experience in European markets as it seeks to expand globally but also recruit more local workers.
