Simply Abu Dhabi XXVII

T he month of July in 2017 saw the opening of the Regent Pool Club Residences, a glamorous new development within Porto Montenegro – an award-winning luxury yacht homeport and marina village – located in the UNESCO protected heritage site of Boka Bay. Designed by WATG, California-based leading design consultants in the hospitality industry, the 62 stunning one, two and three-bedroom residences are set to become some of the most prestigious addresses on the Adriatic coast, boasting unsurpassed views of Boka Bay, lush countryside and the Vrmac mountain range. Often referred to as the southernmost fjord in Europe, the Boka Bay is in fact a drowned river canyon. The high mountains that bend around the coastline protect the bay from the open sea and from the cold climate of the north in winter. This allows an abundance of Mediterranean vegetation to grow; agave, palm, mimosa, oleander, kiwi, pomegranate and medicinal herbs all flourish in these temperatures. The bay is naturally divided into four smaller parts: Herceg Novi, Risan, Kotor and Tivat. Herceg Novi displays a fine combination of romantic, Byzantine and oriental architectural styles while Risan is known for the remnants of classical culture found there, dominated by the remains of a Roman patrician’s villa with beautiful mosaic floors. Kotor, a UNESCO protected walled city, is the old coastal and cultural centre which has withstood countless invasions over the centuries and now attracts a lively tourist crowd in summer for its splendid churches and squares. Home to Porto Montenegro, Tivat is the heart of the coastline’s burgeoning tourism industry, and boasts numerous nearby coves and the greatest number of sunny days of any town on the bay. The architecture of the Regent Pool Club Residences is inspired by Boka Bay’s 400 years of Venetian rule. With an exterior reminiscent of the chic Italian Riviera, WATG worked closely with the internationally renowned Tino Zervudachi and his team at MHZ in Paris to create interiors which conjure modern day glamour with an Art Deco feel. A rich palette of natural hues – light sand through to mahogany brown and olive green – has been used to complement the warmMediterranean climate and stunning waterfront setting. “The architecture combines the historical Montenegrin vernacular with modern day glamour, to create sleek, elegant residences,” says Jeremy Heyes, Senior Vice President at WATG. “We designed large, private balconies and terraces to enable guests to enjoy the spectacular views of the Bay of Kotor and external living during the warm summer months. Internal atriums and fully glazed external walls to the living areas allow brilliant refracted sunlight to flood into the interiors.” Each of the residences has a private balcony or terrace to soak up the wonderful views, a large living area, dining room and fully equipped kitchen. There are also five top level penthouses with private Jacuzzis for the ultimate luxurious waterfront living experience. More than 80% of apartments have sea views, which are maximised with large framed windows and careful positioning of the rooms, while the roof is pitched over the penthouse level, creating an increased volume and dynamic height to the premium apartments. Using a streamlined design aesthetic to seamlessly blend the residences with the surroundings, including the existing development and surrounding town, the designs also take future expansion and development of the port into consideration. 1 8 5 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I