Emaar Properties has recently made public its intentions to build the largest fountains in the world that will overshadow Bellagio’s and be the centerpiece of the Downtown Burj Dubai project. The fountains will be capable of shooting water over 500 ft (150 meters) into the air (the height of a 50 story building), 900 ft (275 meters) in length and will have a surface of over two football fields.

The project is estimated to cost around $218 million and will be 25% bigger than the Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas that currently hold the record for biggest fountains in the world. The fountains that are yet to be named will feature 6,600 lights and 50 color projectors, creating a visual spectrum of over 1,000 different water expressions. 22,000 gallons of water are expected to cycle through to it at any hour of the day.

Naming the fountain is a task left for the citizens of the UAE. They can use the company’s website to suggest a name, the winner being awarded a Dhs100,000 cash prize. Mr Mohamed Ali Alabbar, Chairman, Emaar Properties, said:

“The fountain in Burj Dubai Lake is envisaged as one of the world’s finest water features, and will integrate musical and attractive visual elements. With this competition, we are offering all residents in the UAE the opportunity to be part of one of modern Dubai’s proud contributions to the world’s most aesthetic projects. The name suggested must not only capture the visual splendor of the fountain but also signify the cultural roots of the city and the project.”

The fountain that will be operational in 2009 will be located next to Burj Dubai, the world’s largest building and next to the Dubai Mall, one of the largest shopping and entertainment centers in the world. And this is just one of the many architectural wonders that Dubai will see in the following years.

sources: Emaar, Luxury Launches