Simply Abu Dhabi IV

50 SIMPLY ABU DHABI EXPLORING AND CONNECTING Aldar is looking to create and improve places where the community can gather for shared experiences to treasure. Appealing to residents and tourists alike, there are many places waiting to be explored. By tapping into the history of the region and combining traditional elements withmore contemporary twists, Aldar hope to connect communities within environments where they are free to explore. Central Market Abu Dhabi’s Central Market is a mixed-use development that already plays a significant part of the region’s history. Featuring two towers –The Domain and Trust Tower – and a hotel, the development will include apartments, an Arabian Souk, restaurants, luxury offices, hotels and car parking with capacity of 5,000 cars. The Souk is a vibrant handicrafts retail heaven, that perfectly complements the fashion orientated Emporium situated adjacent. The tallest of the towers –The Domain – will stand at 382m becoming Abu Dhabi’s tallest building. The development has been unfolding in phases from 2010 and is expected to be complete in 2012. We simply had to bring you the story so far... The Domain at Central Market If luxury living delights you then picture yourself living at the centre of a vibrant lifestyle, surrounded by all the hub of activity, business ventures and entertainment that Central Market attracts. Welcome to Abu Dhabi’s most prestigious address – the Domain. Part of the Central Market development this 88-storey residential building will offer one to five bedroom opulent apartments designed to the highest specifications. Having visited Abu Dhabi’s Central Market for ourselves we can fully appreciate the appeal of living within the remarkable Domain development set against the stunning horizon and benefitting from gentle sea breezes. This dramatic 382m tower presents an attractive combination of one-to four-bedroom apartments overlooking the Glistening blue waters of the Arabian Gulf located just seconds away from Abu Dhabi Corniche. Standing magnificently against the Abu Dhabi skyline at an imposing 382m, the Domain will become Abu Dhabi’s tallest building expressing the heart of the city – a genuine sight to behold. The tower has a total floor area of 80,000sqm comprising 474 apartments and will house two swimming pools, health clubs, a residents’ lounge and a stunning sky garden. With the impressive structural construction complete, work continues to put in place the building’s internal operations. Standing in the Central Market, it all sounds good to us and we can wait to return on completion to see the Domain in all its glory. Complete with fantastic fitness and secure underground parking facilities, you have the freedom to relax in the seclusion of your luxury apartment or take the opportunity to engage with the social activity on your doorstep, with direct access to Emporium. With a fabulous central location and breathtaking panoramic sea views who wouldn’t want to be part of this exclusive lifestyle? The Domain is a place where you can come and live life at your own pace, benefitting from the energy of your Central Market setting or indulging in the privacy of your home. It’s important in life to strike a balance and what a balance to strike! The Souk at Central Market For a truly authentic Middle Eastern market experience, there can be no better way to spend a few hours than exploring the diverse range of products available at The Souk at Central Market. As Lord Foster, Chairman and Founder of Fosters and Partners can testify; “The Souk at Central Market combines traditional elements of the souk with a contemporary experience. A variety of colours, sights and sounds and spaces that invites exploration.” We can fully endorse his point of view as our visit to the Souk indulged all our senses, not to mention our passion for shopping and picking up bargains and traditional wares. There is so much to discover at the Souk which for over 40 years now has continued to evolve. You simply have to experience this magical place which holds such a special place in the history of Abu Dhabi. In the early 1960s, when the capital began to thrive, the city centre became home to a large commercial souk. Since then the souk has remained a focal point for both citizens and tourists, and the hub of trade where merchants from the UAE and beyond congregate to bargain for wares from across the Gulf. Now, recreated as a light, airy space that fuses Arabian heritage with a more contemporary vibe, the stunning and beautifully atmospheric traditional Arabian Souk at Central Market has been built over an area of 14,500 sq m. It will feature 300 shops and 20 restaurants and cafes set across three levels, with areas ranging between 40 sq m and 50 sq m. Nearly 50 per cent of the shops have been leased to investors from the UAE and elsewhere. After a few contented hours winding our way through the colourful stalls, soaking up the ambience, we picked up a fantastic watch and some beautiful perfume. The Souk is also the perfect place for electronics, gifts, spices and jewellery with so much choice and so many unique pieces on offer you may be rendered speechless! We fully recommend a trip to this delightful modern market set in traditional, yet modern surroundings. Emporium at Central Market Here is a prestigious shopping address for your Abu Dhabi address book – the Emporium at Central Market. On track to become Abu Dhabi’s leading fashion destination with a range of superlative retail outlets enticing shoppers from afar, within its Central Market location, Emporium is conveniently placed for its main consumers – Emirates and expatriates, as well as being a vibrant destination to entice tourists looking to spend. Set across five spacious levels, Emporium is connected to The Souk at Central Market by a retail bridge spanning the length of Khalifa Street, which has been intentionally designed to encourage shoppers to visit both complementary retail destinations. The elegant multi-level podium stretches across 62,000sqm incorporating 165 shops, welcoming cafes and restaurants. Aldar has begun leasing shops inside the Emporium, with over 60% of retail space currently leased. The widely anticipated full-scale opening of the Emporium is scheduled for the third quarter of 2012. Emporium will be home to the first House of Fraser department store in the Middle East, with over 10,000 sqm of retail space, as well as an 8-screen Grand Cinemas and a Spinneys supermarket. Nabil Daud, Managing Director and CEO, Retail Arabia International, said; “The signing of House of Fraser for the Middle East marked a very important step for Retail Arabia International. It is with great excitement that we look at launching this iconic brand in Abu Dhabi as the anchor to the Emporium, Central Market.” Widely promoted as Abu Dhabi’s high-fashion destination, Emporium will also welcome many new brands that will be new to Abu Dhabi including Aspinal of London, Disney Fashion Store, True Religion, DKNY,M&CO, Pandora, Gerry Webber, Karen Millen, Alison Neilson’s Chocolate Bar and Fatburger, with many more expected to follow. There will also be 150 chic boutiques offering an intriguing mix of local and international brands, and over 25 restaurants and cafes with roof terraces and gardens, will make the ideal pit stop for a break from all that shopping, relaxing and indulging in some delicious refreshment before getting straight back to those shops – well, you wouldn’t want to miss any! With over 5,000 secure underground parking spaces, and in easy access from the neighbouring streets, weekly footfall is expected to be high. We will most certainly be walking through those doors into retail heaven when Emporium opens next year and we will return with all the insider news. Educating the adults of tomorrow As everyone knows, to invest in a brighter future means investment now in the people who will be part of that future so we have been impressed to learn about the invaluable work of Aldar Academies as they support the Abu Dha Education Authorities in their quest to raise the standards of educational provision throughout the Emirate. They are dedicated to empowering the youth of the nation to achieve great success in order to contribute positively to the future of the region.