Legends will be the first covered theme park in the world.  It will be the first project to open in Dubailand. ma spoke to Shahram Foroughi, the principal of the master-planner Edifice.

Men & Architecture

ma

“Mr. Shahram. You started up with Edifice in 1995, but you’re not from here are you?”

Shahram Foroughi

“No, I come from Iran. After living in France, I came to Dubai eleven years ago.”

ma

“What did you do there?”

Shahram Foroughi

“We worked for Euro Disney. I studied in Paris. During the Iranian revolution, all construction work was stopped. So I stayed in France. I started up as self-employed together with a fellow student from college.”

ma

“As you finished your work there, why didn’t you return to Iran? Why did you go to Dubai instead?”

Shahram Foroughi

“During the sixties and seventies, my father was the first Iranian diplomat in Dubai. Thus I already had experience with the city. My partner stayed in France, I moved to Dubai. We knew it would take a while before financial success set in, it was an investment in the future.”

ma

“Nevertheless. you were successful right from the start. Why?”

Shahram Foroughi

“We were simply in the right place at the right time, as it is mostly the case. In the nineties, Europe started opening up for tourism, theme parks and entertainment concepts, etc. Everything was new.”

ma

“When you look back, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?”

Shahram Foroughi

“It wasn’t easy to implement our ideas at all. The construction methods used in the USA weren’t applicable to Europe.”

ma

“How did you manage nevertheless?”

Shahram Foroughi

“We specialised in theme parks at an early stage. Our network includes specialists from all over the world. Countless creative people from all over the world are part of our think tank for new concepts.”

ma

“What made you choose theme parks?”

Shahram Foroughi

“I like it when buildings live. In a theme park the architecture lives every day — both inside and outside. It’s exciting to combine the individual areas, enjoyment, hotel, retail.”

ma

“How do you come up with all the ideas for the theme parks?”

Shahram Foroughi

“We travel a lot and look at all the big theme parks around the world. Furthermore, we’re a member of IAAPA, the US-based official organization for the amusement industry. There is also a trade fair scheduled every year.”

ma

“But you’re not just involved in theme parks, are you?”

Shahram Foroughi

“Of course we’re not. Above all, we’re also interested in mixed concepts: enjoyment, hotel, retail.”

ma

“Why?”

Shahram Foroughi

“It’s too expensive. You need to create a resort. Everyone must be able to come and visit. Not just tourists. Come here just for half a day or a day, to a concert or something similar.”

ma

“What makes you so sure?”

Shahram Foroughi

“The government had planned two amusement parks devoid of a mixed concept in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Neither of them were implemented. If you’re planning a project, that needs ten million visitors a year and costs between one and three billion Euro the facts are pretty clear. We know the successful formula for such projects.”

ma

“Is that why you were so excited about Dubailand, as the authorities came up with the idea?”

Shahram Foroughi

“Sure. As we presented our ideas, everyone was impressed. We won the land but we had to find the investor too.”

ma

“What did you do then?”

Shahram Foroughi

“I called all the important people I knew from my address book and landed with the Gulf Finance House. We presented the project. They checked us over on a daily basis for three months. They came from Bahrain to our office in Dubai. They took absolutely everything apart. From top to bottom, from left to right, everything. They really wanted to be sure that we could manage such a big project.”

ma

“What was your first project in Dubai?”

Shahram Foroughi

“That was the construction of Wild Wadi. Then there was Adventure Land, an indoor theme park in Sharjah. By the way: We’re convinced of our indoor concept. The climate here just doesn’t allow for anything else if you ask me.”

ma

“Mr. Shahram, thank you very much and qood luck to you and your Legends project.”