Simply Abu Dhabi XXVII

1 3 5 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I Marasi Business Bay Launched byDubai Holding andDubai Properties Group inMay 2016, the AED1 billion ($272m) mixed-use Marasi Business Bay is projected to become Dubai’s most sought- after waterfront destination. Boasting the longest waterfront promenade in the UAE at 12km, it will feature the country's first ever water homes (with exclusive boat access), floating restaurants, varied leisure facilities, and 1,250 yacht berths across four marinas. Located along the city’s newest attraction – the Dubai Water Canal on the historical Dubai Creek – the development will provide a spectacular gateway to three themed areas: the yacht club, pier and park. All four marinas have been designed around differing clientele, with the first – set for completion in the latter half of 2017 – comprising 176 berths up to 35m constructed using state-of-the-art Seaflex technology. One of the only fewmarinas in the country to employ this innovative environmentally- friendly mooring solution, it sits just 700m from the iconic Burj Khalifa; the symmetric other half with approximately the same number of berths will commence build shortly. The second marina within the development will feature four expansive barges anchored 50 to 60m offshore; the third will be created in an inlet on a high-density habitational area and is aimed at yacht owners, while the fourth marina, located on a wide-open bay off the canal, is reported to boast the largest capacity. Oscar Siches, concept designer and construction quality controller for the first marina within the Marasi Business Bay development, comments: “The palm trees are the unusual, innovative feature of these marinas, bringing this traditional attribute of the UAE out in the water, creating a floating forest effect, providing natural shadow, and breaking the barren look of concrete pontoon surfaces. The planters are fitted every 15m throughout themarina and the edges of the plant pots are designed to be used as seating.” Dubai Harbour The Gulf’s long maritime tradition, which has been inextricably linked to the evolution of trade and commerce in the region, not to mention Dubai’s flourishing tourism industry, has inspired many projects of late that look to enhance the city’s waterfront. Although still only in concept stage, the Dubai Harbour project, developed by investment consortiumMeraas Holding, promises to be spectacular in its entirety. Capable of handling 1,400 vessels – the largest marina in the MENA region – the 20 million sq. ft. project will also contain a 135m-high Dubai Lighthouse (with a luxury hotel and observation deck), a 150,000 sq. ft. cruise liner terminal capable of handling 6,000 passengers, as well as entertainment and retail space, a yacht club, shopping mall, hotels and residences. The marina will increase Dubai’s current capacity for handling yachts by almost 50%; more importantly, it will add capacity for larger yachts of up to 85m. Built on a plot between Jumeirah Beach Residence and Palm Jumeirah, it will integrate the current Skydive Dubai, Dubai International Marine Club and Logo Island sites into a single community through a new road network and a monorail. Planned to be developed in several phases, it is expected to take four years to build once work starts. Commenting on the proposed development, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, said: “[Dubai Harbour] represents a unique and innovative new addition to the region’s tourism landscape. Our region has had a long and historic relationship with the sea, and today we are seeing another initiative inspired by this age-old tradition that opens up new horizons for development.”