Only 12 people, all white men, have ever set foot on the Moon. So why not build four mini-moons on planet Earth so that 10 million people can visit a model lunar surface each year?

This is the visionary idea behind “Moon”, a 735ft/224m tall truly spherical construction designed to be a unique and luxurious resort destination. Slated to cost $5 billion to build, it is the work of Moon World Resorts Inc. (MWR), a Canadian-based architectural design and intellectual property licensor.

Here are seven things you need to know about “Moon”:

1. It will offer mass tourism in space…for $500

It’s designed for everything from luxury vacations and wellness stays to events and conventions, but there’s one main attraction; a lunar surface to explore. “It is for those who want to participate in authentic space tourism at an affordable price,” said Michael R. Henderson, co-founder of Moon World Resorts. “Moon can accommodate 2.5 million guest astronauts per year on its lunar surface…with space tourism finally taking off – with its prohibitive cost to attend – Moon’s timing is perfect!”

It will be free to enter “Moon”, but the main experience will cost $500.

2. It will include a “lunar colony”

The 90-minute tour of the 10-acre lunar surface will include a visit to “an authentic working lunar colony.” Once on the surface, guests will be able to explore the lunar surface and visit…something. “As you can see, a lot of this is kept secret,” Henderson said. “However, imagine yourself in an authentic environment in real time…this is not augmented or virtual reality…you will actually believe you are on the Moon.”

3. It also includes a shuttle ride

To get to the lunar surface, guests will take a ride in a shuttle, which will travel through the empty area of ​​the building’s inner sphere. “Once guests enter the shuttle facility, they will undergo a quick medical check, security check, suit, safety briefing, exploration briefing, and then they will board our unique shuttle system,” Henderson said. “Guests will experience liftoff and the entire journey to the Moon.” We are talking about an extraordinary audiovisual experience.

4. It is inspired by the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao (Spain)

Neither was involved in “Moon”, but he was inspired by Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry – best known for his Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain – and the late British architect Richard Rogers. “Moon will be the largest true spherical building in the world,” Henderson said. “Many buildings claim to be spheres when in fact they are just buildings with domes.”

MWR clearly hopes that the uniqueness of its “true sphere” building will have a “Bilbao effect” similar to that of Gehry’s Guggenheim.

5. ‘Moon’ will be illuminated at night

Naturally, the “Moon” sphere will be illuminated at night to mimic the phases of the actual Moon. “A myriad of lighting effects will be available, including beaming across the entire sphere of the MOON,” Henderson said.

6. It could open around 2027-28

“Moon” requires a 12-month pre-development planning program followed by a 48-month build process. “If the ground was broken in 2023, it could open around 2027-28 (with),” Henderson said. There are tentative plans for more than four “Moon” stations in the United States, United Arab Emirates, Singapore and Spain.

7. It’s probably too visionary for Las Vegas

“Las Vegas is an obvious option,” Henderson said. “However, the United States has lost its mojo for interesting buildings, as current developments on the Las Vegas Strip show.” Henderson thinks the current developments there are “unimaginatively boring square boxes”, the result of companies being “led by accountants rather than visionaries”.

“Maybe China or the United Arab Emirates will be the first, we will know soon! said Henderson.

I wish you clear skies and big eyes.