Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre sets Guinness World Record

Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre at The Dubai Mall (which opens on 4 November 2008), has clinched the Guinness World Record for the ‘World’s Largest Acrylic Panel’.

Measuring 32.88 metres wide x 8.3 metres high x 750 mm thick and weighing 245,614 kg, the acrylic viewing panel at Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre surpasses the current Guinness World Record holder, Churaumi Aquarium in Okinawa, Japan, at 22.5 metres wide x 8.2 metres high and 600 mm thick. The new record is expected to be featured in the upcoming edition of the Guinness Book of World Records in 2010.

The acrylic viewing panel at Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre was at the limit of production abilities by major acrylic manufacturers when the project was commissioned. The viewing panel was commissioned under the supervision of Oceanis Australia Group, the aquarium designer and operator.

At 750 mm thick, the acrylic viewing panel is built to withstand the enormous pressure of 10 million litres of water used in the aquarium, but transparent enough to give visitors clear views of the 33,000 plus marine animals on display.

Mr Yousif Al Ali, General Manager, The Dubai Mall said, “Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre has been one of the most highly anticipated key attractions at The Dubai Mall, as it brings the splendours of the marine world to the people of Dubai. We specially designed the acrylic viewing panel to offer larger-than life views of the sharks, rays and 33,000 living animals on display. The Guinness World Record adds to the world-class experience to this attraction and it’s free to view for all our visitors.”

The Dubai Mall is one of the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destinations. Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre is one of the opening attractions and will feature over 33,000 aquatic animals in due course, representing more than 85 species including sharks and rays. A 270-degree walkthrough tunnel allows for some incredible close-encounter experiences to delight mall visitors. Above the aquarium is the interactive and educational Discovery Centre, taking the visitor through various aquatic environments.

With a total internal floor area of 5.9 million sq ft, The Dubai Mall will have 3.77 million sq ft of gross leasable space and host more than 1,200 retail outlets including two anchor department stores, Galeries Lafayette and Bloomingdale’s and will feature over 160 food and beverage options.

Other attractions at The Dubai Mall include the Olympic-size Dubai Ice Rink, Fashion Avenue, a 440,000 sq ft haute couture precinct; The Grove, an indoor-outdoor themed streetscape; the region’s first SEGA indoor theme park covering 76,000 sq ft; KidZania, an 80,000 sq ft children’s ‘edu-tainment’ centre; and a 22-screen Cineplex, the largest in Dubai.

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