Abu Dhabi has unveiled plans to transform Al Maryah Island waterfront into an all-year-round visitor attraction, in support of the capital's surging tourism sector.
Al Maryah Waterfront enhancement project will feature a 30-metre-high luminous sphere, enveloped in flowing water and surrounded by 1,000 AI-powered jets of water soaring 75 metres, set to music by composer Ramin Djawadi.
The dazzling display will be the centrepiece of a project being delivered by Mubadala Investment Company, Abu Dhabi’s strategic investment arm.
A ground-breaking ceremony has been held to signal the start of work on the development, which is the latest project launched as part of Abu Dhabi's plans to be a magnet for both domestic and global tourism.
The scheme will also include a sea boardwalk extension, offering access to the water’s edge, a shaded outdoor cooling system to make summer visits more comfortable and a new food and beverage zone.
An opening date has not been disclosed.
"The Al Maryah Waterfront enhancement project is a strategic investment in the future of Al Maryah Island,” said Dr Bakheet Al Katheeri, chief executive of UAE Investments at Mubadala.
“This project will deliver iconic elements that elevate the quality of life and offer a diverse experience for visitors, while reinforcing the island’s position as a premier lifestyle destination.”
Latest chapter in island's rise
Mubadala has overseen the rise to prominence of Al Maryah Island since 2007. Previously known as Sowwah Island, it was rebranded in 2012 by the government as part of a drive to cement its status as a leading leisure, retail and entertainment hot spot.
Al Maryah refers to a historical village in Liwa Oasis abundantly inhabited by purebred Arabian oryx.
The sprawling island is already home to two five-star hotels, a major mall, The Abu Dhabi Global Market, Abu Dhabi's financial centre, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and a wide variety of global retail brands and restaurants.
Tourism and property boom
The Al Maryah waterfront project is the latest major development to be announced for Abu Dhabi in recent months.
In May, it was revealed that the first Disney theme park in the Middle East is to open in the UAE capital.
Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be built on Yas Island by Miral, with Disney leading the creative design and operational oversight.
The park "will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati, an oasis of extraordinary Disney entertainment that is at the crossroads of the world", Disney chief executive Bob Iger said at the time.
The new park will join other tourist attractions on the island, including Ferrari World, Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi and Yas Waterworld.
Sphere, the spectacular Las Vegas entertainment venue, is also coming to Abu Dhabi.
The UAE's version will retain many of the original’s features, including the shape it takes its name from plus its exterior and interior surfaces made of LED screen technology, which will enable striking visual displays.
Abu Dhabi added 37,000 jobs to its tourism sector last year as more visitors flocked to the emirate's hotels, restaurants and attractions amid increased investment in promotional campaigns globally.
Aldar Properties, Abu Dhabi’s biggest listed developer, last month unveiled the master plan for Fahid Island, with a gross development value of more than Dh40 billion ($10.9 billion) amid a boom in the UAE’s property market.
More than 6,000 luxury residences are planned for the 2.7 million square metre island, from apartments and townhouses to ultra-luxury villas.
The project will also feature two hotels, with one of them set to be announced shortly, Jonathan Emery, chief executive of Aldar Development, told The National on the sidelines of the project launch.
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
The biog
Favourite car: Ferrari
Likes the colour: Black
Best movie: Avatar
Academic qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in media production from the Higher Colleges of Technology and diploma in production from the New York Film Academy
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo 4-cyl
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Power: 190bhp
Torque: 300Nm
Price: Dh169,900
On sale: now
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Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
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June 3: NZ Provincial Barbarians 7 Lions 13
June 7: Blues 22 Lions 16
June 10: Crusaders 3 Lions 12
June 13: Highlanders 23 Lions 22
June 17: Maori All Blacks 10 Lions 32
June 20: Chiefs 6 Lions 34
June 24: New Zealand 30 Lions 15 (First Test)
June 27: Hurricanes 31 Lions 31
July 1: New Zealand 21 Lions 24 (Second Test)
July 8: New Zealand v Lions (Third Test) - kick-off 11.30am (UAE)
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
The specs
Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed
Power: 271 and 409 horsepower
Torque: 385 and 650Nm
Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
India cancels school-leaving examinations
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
