Video: First look inside Dubai Frame

Dubai - Designed to offer visitors a 360-degree view of Dubai, the structure opens this year end

The Dubai Frame is quickly taking shape in the heart of the city, providing breathtaking views of 'old' and 'new' Dubai.

A Dubai Municipality delegation on Thursday has given residents a sneak peek into one of the upcoming iconic structures in the city.

Eng. Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality visited Dubai Frame project that is being constructed by Dubai Municipality at Zabeel Park to overview the latest updates in the presence of Eng. Dawood Al Hajri, Assistant Director-General for Engineering and Planning Sector at Dubai Municipality, Mohammed Al Mutaiwei, the Assistant Director General of the Municipality for the Communications and Community Sector and a number of officials and engineers.

According to Dubai Municipality, the frame has two towers of 150m height that are connected by a 93m bridge at the top. Apparently the space between the towers gives a clear view of the city from a height. The interesting aspect is that on one side you can see Sheikh Zayed Road and modern Dubai, while on the other, you can see old Dubai that includes Deira, Umm Hurair and Karama.

At the mezzanine level, an immersive experience in history awaits. Projections, mist effects and motion set the mood. Using modern technology, the 'Past Dubai Gallery' narrates the evolution of the city.

'Present Dubai' can be experienced at the Sky Deck level - uninterrupted views of Dubai - Old Dubai to the north, and New Dubai to the south supported by interactive applications such as augmented reality activated screens. You can identify landmarks, explore interesting facts or even observe in the third dimension.

The 'Future Dubai Gallery' is on the other side of the mezzanine level. This concept zooms into the future - Dubai 50 years from now - the virtual metropolis, through virtual reality and interactive projections. There is a vortex tunnel with special lights and sound effects that creates an illusion of time travel through a warp portal and arriving into the city 50 years ahead.

The work has already started on the frame's glass bridge, and the cladding is expected to be completed by the end of this year, a top senior Dubai Municipality official had told Khaleej Times earlier this year.

The golden base of the glass bridge (horizontal leg of the frame) is halfway through, from which workers are installing the stainless steel gold to cover both sides of the bridge. The design is inspired by the Expo 2020 logo, which can already be seen on the bridge.

The frame is expected to open by this year end.

• Dubai