Abu Dhabi: Residents in Abu Dhabi and tourists coming to the city who were looking for luxurious lifestyle options have a new destination within a few kilometres radius of the city — Al Maryah Island. Businesses have started considering the commercial towers on the island a prominent address in the country.
The Abu Dhabi government has been planning most of the new developments on the outskirts to reduce the congestion on Abu Dhabi island. However, some new developments such as Al Maryah Island are closely connected to the Abu Dhabi Island but they don’t create congestion, rather they support the existing urban community with new diverse options, according to the developers.
New CBD
Just over four years ago, the first master plan for Al Maryah Island was drafted in response to the Plan Abu Dhabi 2030, designating the island as the city’s new Central Business District (CBD), said Mubadala Real Estate and Infrastructure (MREI), which is developing the 114-hectare Island. MREI is a unit of Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund Mubadala Development Company.
Sowwah Square, the first phase development on the island at the heart of this new CBD, is a vibrant 24-hour destination with a robust mix of businesses, residences, hotels, and an array of recreational, leisure, community and entertainment amenities.
Sowwah Square is already home to over 1,600 people from a dynamic mix of multinational blue chip companies including Deloitte, GE, Gulf Capital, Booz & Co, JP Morgan, Macquarie Bank and Herbert Smith Freehills — all housed in four commercial towers.
The Galleria, a high-end retail and dining Precinct, is the most popular destination in Sowwah square, which attracts hundreds of visitors from across the country since it opened in August. It is a joint venture between Mubadala Real Estate and Infrastructure (MREI) and Gulf Related. Featuring an unrivalled array of over 120 global brands, The Galleria displays the latest high-fashion collections by day, and offers lounging at Abu Dhabi’s waterfront venues at night.
Among the four completed commercial towers, Al Sila has been operational since the first quarter of 2012 and is 98 per cent leased whilst Al Maqam is 82 per cent leased. The Al Sarab and Al Khatem towers are complete and already receiving considerable interest from the market. The iconic Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange Building, Rosewood Abu Dhabi, an ultra-luxury hotel opened in May 2013, and Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi also add prominence to the square. National Bank of Abu Dhabi and Al Hilal Office Headquarters, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and FarGlory’s mixed-use hotel, residential and office development are also on the Island.
Transport system
Chosen for its proximity to the existing business community, Sowwah Square will also be at the centre of an integrated transport system that will provide unparalleled access, connectivity and flexibility redefining transport infrastructure in the capital.
The Island was designed to deliver a contemporary, yet uniquely Arab development. All on-island roads have been finished, with four bridges fully operational and nine more under construction.
The district is gradually becoming the thriving urban-hub with an offering for everyone.
