An AED12 billion (US$3.2bn) masterplan has been announced to transform the southern end of Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. As part of Miral’s plans, increased emphasis will be placed on waterside activities, including a new district called Yas Bay.
Already home to theme parks such as Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld and soon a Warner Bros park, Yas Island is also home to the Formula 1 Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Mall, a golf course and several hotels. Yet many of those arriving for such leisure offerings probably don’t engage with the water that surrounds the manmade island. Now a waterfront promenade containing a variety of shops, cafes and restaurants is planned to link three new areas as follows:
• Yas Bay, a public waterfront and entertainment district.
• Residences at Yas Bay, an urban island community, offering the complete Yas Island lifestyle.
• The Media Zone, featuring the new campus of twofour54.
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Located near Yas Plaza and Yas Beach, the new Yas Bay will be the centrepiece of the development. It is anticipated to become one of the most “iconic and vibrant” waterfront destinations of the UAE region. The “epicentre of cultural energy and entertainment”, it will feature two hotels (one by Hilton) , a recreational pier and the 18,000 capacity Yas Arena. The latter will host sporting competitions, concerts, cultural performances and also MICE events.
In addition, Yas Bay will offer more than 50 restaurants and 20 shops, which Miral hopes will welcome more than 14,000 guests daily. Leisure attractions include a beach club, boutique cinema and family entertainment centre.
Creating a community infrastructure at Yas Island
Residences at Yas Bay will feature 35 plots for investors and developers targeting urban professionals and families. Ocean view buildings will be set amid 20 parks with volleyball, basketball and tennis courts, cycling and jogging tracks. Three mosques and two schools will provide residents with a complete community infrastructure.
With the addition of the Media Zone, the development is expected to further diversify the UAE economy. The state-of-the-art, 3.2 million square feet campus will replaces the existing twofour54 campus near Khalifa Park, which takes its name from Abu Dhabi’s co-ordinates (24° North, 54° East).
Other attractions coming to Yas Island over the coming years include Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi and CLYMB, both launching in 2018, and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, set to open by 2022.
