A Chinese shipbuilder has begun constructing a full-scale, permanently docked replica of the original, ill-fated Titanic. The project aims to tap into the enduring public fascination with the historic ocean liner while creating an immersive attraction for visitors.
Designed as a stationary attraction rather than a seafaring vessel, the replica will offer simulated scenes of the disaster alongside hospitality and entertainment options. Guests will be able to tour reconstructed interior spaces, dine in period-style restaurants, and stay overnight in cabins designed to evoke the ship’s original atmosphere, making the venue resemble a maritime theme park dedicated to the Titanic’s legacy.
“We’re trying to get as close as we can,” said Curtis Schnell, production designer and producer. “We are not building every room in the ship, by any means, but the shell of the ship and the exteriors will be quite accurate. There will be interior rooms to tour and see from the standpoint of historical accuracy.”
Unlike previous revival proposals — such as the stalled Titanic II project, which has struggled to secure a shipbuilding contract — this Chinese replica has already entered the construction phase. The vessel’s planned dimensions exceed 882 feet in length with a beam of roughly 92 feet, reflecting the scale of the original liner. Interior attractions are reported to include a ballroom, a theater, a pool, first-class cabins, the ship’s famed grand staircase, a dining room and an upper boat deck for visitors to explore.
Estimated at more than $145 million, the project is expected to be finished by the end of 2017, according to reports. Once completed, the docked replica will offer an accessible, controlled environment for guests to experience both the grandeur of the Titanic’s design and carefully staged interpretations of its tragic story.