Emaar Properties has added a new lifestyle destination to the city with Dubai Marina, the company said in a statement.

Dubai Marina, the first and largest of its waterfront development in the region, is already home to several hundred residents and features restaurants and cafés, a seasonal bustling Friday Market, a vibrant Marina Walk and opportunities for boating excursions from the Marina, it added.

With a development value of Dh4.36 billion ($1.18bn), Dubai Marina recreates the lifestyle of the French Riviera.

Residents enjoy the advantage of living in the heart of Dubai’s emerging Knowledge Hub, comfortably away from the bustle of the city, yet close to renowned hospitality hotspots.

“In less than three years since we welcomed the first residents, Dubai Marina has become one of the most thriving outdoor destinations in Dubai,” said Emaar Properties sales director Saif Al Mansoori.

“While the Marina Walk offers an ideal venue for any-time relaxation by the waterfront, the Marina has attracted boating enthusiasts from around the world. There are regular boating excursions offering visitors a chance to explore the waters in safety and comfort.”

Marina Walk, a pedestrian-friendly walkway that winds through a large Marina, is already a popular all-week destination for visitors and residents.

A spectacular dancing fountain is the chief attraction for children, who delight in matching their steps with the rhythmic swaying of the fountain.

Marine enthusiasts can also look forward to the opening of the Dubai Marina Yacht Club in mid 2008. It will feature an elegant clubhouse with restaurants, a marine retail shopping arcade, yachting fashion boutique, charter yachts and a boat repair facility scheduled for completion in 2009.

Spread over an area of 60,000 sq ft, Marina Walk offers an exciting tenant mix of quality cuisine and retail outlets. Culinary options include American, Thai, Mediterranean, Indian, Japanese, Chinese, Lebanese, and traditional Arabian, apart from several cafes that open to the Marina.

The retail spread includes supermarkets, book shops and pharmacies. Other amenities at Dubai Marina include children’s play areas, swimming pools, resort spas, games room, lounge facilities, sheltered parking, and multi-purpose lounge.

In addition to defining the concept of a mixed-use community, Dubai Marina is also evolving as a distinct business and retail environment with the unveiling of the Dubai Marina Mall complex.

It encompasses the Dubai Marina Mall; The Address, Dubai Marina, a 5-star hotel and serviced residences owned, managed and operated by Emaar Hospitality Group; Marina Plaza – a commercial tower for thriving businesses; and a multi-storey tower dedicated to diverse cuisines.

Dubai Marina Mall, to open later this year, will serve as a sterling addition to Dubai’s vibrant retail environment and will offer several shopping options in a mall that celebrates its waterfront location.

Enhancing the lifestyle amenities at Dubai Marina, the mall will also feature a cineplex, an extensive food court and children’s entertainment facilities.

The Address, Dubai Marina, one of the three hotel properties to open in Dubai this year, includes the 200-room hotel and 442 serviced residences. The hotel features health and fitness facilities, speciality restaurants, banquet halls and a full-fledged business centre.

“Dubai Marina living is a one-of-its-kind experience, where the Marina serves as the perfect backdrop for all aspects of the residents’ lifestyle,” said Al Mansoori.

“For the first time in Dubai, a residential development is also serving as the biggest-ever catalyst for water sports with more marine enthusiasts checking in to Dubai Marina to enjoy its wide spectrum of facilities – from dining out to leisure and fitness to retail.”

Dubai Marina will have four Mari