The project was announced in January 2008 by the developer Nakheel Properties, which also built the Palm Islands and The World archipelago. It was stated to be completed sometime between 2023 and 2028,[2] but as of 2009, the project has been placed on hold.[3][4] The dredging companies Van Oord and Jan de Nul planned to create up to 3,000 hectares of land.[2]
The project was in the planning stages, but was placed on hold indefinitely in 2009.[3] In 2009, Nakheel's website listed The Universe as a "future project".[5] However, as of 11 April 2015 it has been removed.