Dubai’ : In line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to enhance quality of life and reinforce Dubai’s status as the world’s best city to live, work, and visit, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, has approved the development of the iconic ‘Therme Dubai’ project.
The announcement was attended by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai.
‘Therme Dubai’ is set to become the Middle East’s first-of-its-kind wellbeing resort and interactive park. The tallest facility of its kind in the world, the project integrates elements of relaxation, leisure, family entertainment, healthcare, and natural environments. Aligned with the UAE’s ‘Year of the Community,’ the initiative underscores Dubai’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life and overall wellbeing of its residents and visitors.
The project will be developed in Zabeel Park in collaboration with the private sector, represented by Therme Group, an international wellbeing leader, renowned for creating unique wellbeing resorts and infrastructure. With an estimated cost of AED2 billion, the project will be funded by a consortium of local and international financing partners, with completion anticipated by 2028.
Upon arrival at the NASAB Resort, Wadi Al Safa, where the announcement was made, HH Sheikh Hamdan was received by His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Supreme Urban Planning Committee, Director General of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority. The event was attended by His Excellency Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism; His Excellency Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DP World and the Chairman of the Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corporation; His Excellency Marwan bin Ghalita, Acting Director General of Dubai Municipality; and Robert C. Hanea, Chairman and CEO of Therme Group.
Quality of life
HH Sheikh Hamdan was briefed on the master plan for the Therme Dubai project by His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer. The project aligns with key objectives of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which aims to foster vibrant, healthy communities, provide a wholesome environment for residents and visitors, and strengthen Dubai’s global competitiveness in attracting leading international companies and foreign direct investments.
With its integration of wellness, healthcare, and recreational facilities, Therme Dubai is positioned to strengthen Dubai’s medical tourism sector. By offering a range of health-focused services and promoting a lifestyle centered on physical and mental wellbeing, the project aims to attract visitors seeking holistic wellness experiences, while also improving the quality of life of the local population.
His Highness was presented with a model of the Therme Dubai project, which spans 500,000 square feet, stands 100 metres tall, and is designed to host up to 1.7 million visitors annually. The project boasts an array of world-class amenities, including natural therapeutic zones, diverse thermal pools, and multiple floors dedicated to wellbeing and relaxation.
Key attractions include a Michelin-star restaurant, three 18-metre waterfalls, and expansive 4,500-square-metre indoor and terrace pools offering dynamic, all-year water environments. Additionally, the project will feature an exhilarating play area with 15 waterslides and experiential art installations designed to enrich the customer experience.
The building’s design embodies sustainable engineering principles, leveraging cutting-edge technologies for water treatment, heating and cooling. The resort will recycle 90% of the water used in its thermal pools, while 80% of the fresh air and cooling needs will be met through clean energy sources. Additionally, the project will serve as a cultural hub, hosting innovative and immersive art from cities across the globe.
The project encompasses three key zones. The first is the Play Zone, a family-friendly area that blends fun, entertainment, and health-related activities for both adults and children. The second is the Relax Zone, dedicated to adults and offering indoor and outdoor relaxation pools, mineral pools, steam rooms, and natural treatments using mineral-enhanced water. The third is the Restore Zone which focuses on rejuvenation, providing visitors with a tranquil escape in a spacious thermal complex, complete with saunas, steam rooms, and innovatively designed mineral treatment baths that elevate the guest experience to unparalleled levels of comfort and quality.
The resort’s design is centred around integrating nature and water at the heart of the project, providing elements that contribute to enhancing human well-being. It will feature the world’s largest indoor botanical garden, supporting urban biodiversity and sustainable development. This garden will feature over 200 plant species from around the globe, paired with clear, warm thermal waters.
Guests will also enjoy multi-sensory saunas, therapeutic mineral pools, wave pools, water slides, and luxurious spa treatments inspired by ancient bathing traditions from around the world such as Roman and Turkish baths, Japanese hot springs, Turkish hammams, and Nordic saunas. In addition, the resort will host hundreds of water and art activities, leveraging technology to provide a unique experience for visitors.
Project objectives
The project aims to deliver a world-class wellbeing experience for both residents and visitors, establishing Dubai as a global wellness tourism destination. By fostering the principle of ‘Wellbeing for All,’ the initiative seeks to promote accessible healthy lifestyles, encouraging physical activity and nutritious habits among the community.
Designed to support sustainable urban development, Therme Dubai will integrate nature and water into the city’s environment, contributing to the creation of greener, healthier urban spaces. The project is positioned to become a key addition to Dubai’s renowned landmarks, further enhancing its status as a leading global city for quality of life and wellbeing.
Building design
Therme Dubai is designed by the renowned global architectural firm DS+R (Diller Scofidio + Renfro), celebrated for its iconic and unique designs worldwide. Among its most notable projects are The Shed, a cultural centre in New York City and the University of Chicago building in the United States.
The lead designer, Liz Diller, is recognised as one of the most influential figures in cultural spaces. She is also the recipient of the prestigious MacArthur Foundation Fellowship in architecture.
Therme Group is a global owner, operator and developer, shaping the future of wellbeing through a new type of social infrastructure called ‘Therme’. Designed to enhance physical, social, and mental health, these spaces and wellbeing destinations help communities reconnect with nature, themselves, and each other. Guided by the belief that wellbeing should be accessible to all, Therme Group creates inclusive, scalable solutions to meet the growing demand for urban wellbeing.
Current locations, which include Therme Bucharest—the world’s first LEED Platinum-certified wellbeing infrastructure—and the newly acquired Therme Erding, the world’s largest wellbeing destination, welcome millions of visitors each year, with developments underway in cities such as Manchester, Toronto, and Frankfurt.
