Construction of the DMC began in 2004, but due to the financial crisis of 2009-2011, work was temporarily suspended. After resuming in 2012, the project was revised to add premium high-rise buildings, including the 44-story Anwa Tower complex.
According to the project, the Dubai Maritime City area will be divided into four clusters, each of which is designed to fulfill a different function:
- Maritime Center (Maritime Center) - a landscaped urban park that will house a variety of offices, retail and entertainment facilities, restaurants, promenades and green spaces. All this infrastructure is intended for international conferences related to maritime and shipping, as well as for pleasant pastime of the neighborhood residents.
- The industrial zone is a ship repair area with 42 berths, the largest ship elevator in the Persian Gulf, a railway network, as well as exhibition halls, cafes and restaurants.
- Recreational area with the Emirates Maritime Museum and marina.
- Maritime Academy, a training center for oceanographic research and training. Also on this territory will be located the Naval Historical Museum.