Abu Dhabi Week explores what is on offer to the capital’s residents on the island of happiness
An island paradise only minutes away from the Corniche, Saadiyat Island is a welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. The Tourism Development and Investment Company’s (TDIC) flagship development project, the island is becoming a hub for residents looking for both culture and recreation.
Featuring gorgeous white sand beaches, top-notch hospitality, leisure and retail, along with luxury residential properties and quality schooling, soon to be on offer, the 27 square kilometre island is on track for becoming a truly desirable development. Translated as ‘island of happiness’ in Arabic, Saadiyat certainly is intent on living up to its name.
Culture vultures
Perhaps the most well-known and headline-making development on the island, the Cultural District is set to make Abu Dhabi a leading art destination around the globe.
The ambitious plans will see three world-renowned museums take shape in phase one of the development, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum. Celebrating art in all its forms, the district aims to become the region’s main cultural destination.
Construction is already well underway on the Louvre Abu Dhabi with TDIC announcing work on the iconic dome last year. Designed by Pritzker-prize winning architect Jean Nouvel, the museum will feature 9,200 square metres of space, floating gently on the blue Arabian waters. Featuring elements inspired by Emirati culture – traditional thatched roofs and falaj irrigation – the museum is expected to be completed by 2015 and will be the first of the major museums to be completed.
The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry, sees a topsy turvy museum of cones and blocks come to life with construction expected to start later this year, once TDIC announces the appointed contractor. To be completed by 2017, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi’s unique design has been described by Gehry as “intentionally ‘messy’, moving into clarity”.
And lastly, the Zayed National Museum, which will be located at the heart of the Cultural District and will be a centrepiece for the island. Designed by Pritzker-prize winning firm Foster + Partners, construction is set to begin later this year. The museum will showcase the history of the region and unification of the UAE under the father of the nation, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Due to open in 2016, visitors can get a sneak peek at what will be on offer inside when checking out the third exhibition showcasing what is to come. A History of the World in 100 Objects will be exhibited for a period of 100 days beginning on Wednesday 23rd April to 2nd August at the Manarat Al Saadiyat.
Currently, on island the art scene is growing with the launch of Manarat Al Saadiyat, or the ‘place of enlightenment’ in 2009. The purpose-built artistic venue has hosted a variety of exhibitions and special art initiatives. The addition of the UAE Pavilion, shipped in pieces from its original location at the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, in 2011 has also provided for more artistic space. And big developments aren’t the only ones to flock to the island. Already small local art galleries, such as The Salwa Zeidan Gallery, have relocated to the island – further cementing the importance of the location.
So what else is to come? The Cultural District’s second phase of development will include a Maritime Museum in the Saadiyat Marina District and a Performing Arts Centre.
Parks and recreation
The island wouldn’t be complete without some top-notch hospitality and leisure offerings. Two luxurious five-star hotels are already catering to guests on the island with the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas and St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort. Located on stretches of environmentally protected beach, these hotels offer expansive views of the Arabian Gulf. Two more hotels are also on schedule to be open on Saadiyat Beach in the next two years, with a Saadiyat Rotana Resort and five-star luxury hotel by Bin Otaiba Investment Group in the works.
Beach bunnies should check out the Monte-Carlo Beach Club, Saadiyat and Saadiyat Public Beach for relaxing days out. The first beach club on Saadiyat, Monte-Carlo is open to both members and guests who can take in the world-class fitness facilities and dining outlets on offer. The Saadiyat Public Beach, managed by BAKE, provides guests with a range of recreational activities in a sunny setting, including weekly yoga sessions and even annual beach tennis tournaments.
Golfers keen to practice their swing should check out the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, designed by Gary Player. The Gulf’s first tidal and ocean golf course, which is operated by Troon Golf, the club features a golf academy, practice facilities and a dining outlet for visitors.
Resident life
Located 500 metres off the coast of Abu Dhabi and with much of the development still to come, the multi-faceted island is already becoming an attractive location with both expats and locals. The residential communities at The Residences at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, the Saadiyat Beach Residences, and the Saadiyat Beach Villas are providing homeowners with a slice of happiness. The high-end and luxury developments are located close to the island’s growing retail outlets and will be supplemented with a host of schools for families settled in the area.
Redwood Saadiyat Nursery will cater to the littlest residents, and will follow the renowned Montessori Method. For children in Foundation Stage 1 to Year 9, Cranleigh Abu Dhabi is currently accepting applications. Expected to open later this September, the sister campus to the UK Cranleigh School will eventually be able to accommodate over 1,600 pupils from three to 18-years-old. And for university students keen to stick around Saadiyat, the New York University Abu Dhabi campus is currently under construction and on track for opening later this year. in the Marina District. The Liberal Arts and Sciences University will be based in the Marina District.
For retail, residents can head to The Collection at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort for a variety of needs. The first retail complex on the island, the space features a mix of 26 high-end retail shops and dining outlets and also includes a supermarket, pharmacy, and nail and hair salon. This will be supplemented by The District, which is set to open in 2017. The District will feature 168,000 square metres of retail space and will be located between the island’s three iconic museums. A joint venture project developed by TDIC and L Real Estate, the complex will feature four distinctive zones with indoor-outdoor venues offering prestigious shopping and dinning outlets to guests.
To find out more about this island of happiness visit: www.saadiyat.ae or www.saadiyatculturaldistrict.ae
Sawaiba Khan
