WORK on Phase One of what is described as a “path-breaking” project located at the gateway to Abu Dhabi is due for completion this month (September).

The Dh3-billion ($817-million) mixed-use development known as Bawabat Al Sharq spreads across 108 hectares of land in Bani Yas City, close to Abu Dhabi International Airport.
With work drawing to completion, the developer of the master community Baniyas Investment and Development Company (BID) says it will soon begin handing over the units.
“We are hoping to complete the handover by the year end,” says Wael Tawil, the CEO of BID.

Bawabat Al Sharq project comprises residential, retail, entertainment and sporting facilities. It encompasses premium apartments, villas, a mall, healthcare facilities and a FIFA-standard football stadium, designed by renowned architect Roger Tallibert, a name behind projects such as Parc Des Princes in Paris, France and the Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Canada.
The FIFA-standard stadium, said to be the first of its kind in the region, is currently under construction and is expected to be ready by 2012, along with the Phase Three of the project. With a seating capacity of 20,000, the project features five outdoor football fields, in addition to several training areas and a number of indoor multi-purpose courts.

Phase One of the project comprises three-, four- and five-bedroom detached and semi-detached villas in addition to an assortment of apartments, which include one, two and three-bedroom units. The apartment blocks consist of three low-rise buildings strategically located around the shopping mall. In total, the first phase incorporates 164 apartments and 56 luxurious villas.
The company has recently started work on the second phase of the project.
“Currently, levelling and compaction works are going on at the site and we plan to complete Phase Two by the end of 2011,” says Tawil. “Phase Two of Bawabat Al Sharq consists of 129 deluxe three-, four- and five-bedroom detached villas, which boast vast spaces and private gardens as well as swimming pools. In addition, it comprises 500 apartments, which represent a blend of traditional and modern design concepts and are spread across 14 distinctive buildings within six different blocks set in spacious and eye-catching landscaping with water views. Phase Two apartments, which include a mix of deluxe suites, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments as well as exclusive penthouses with terraces and Jacuzzis, offer exclusivity to their residents as there are only four apartments per floor,” he says.
“Phase Three will be launched later and will include 140 villas and 400 apartments, in addition to a school. There are plans to build a hotel as well,” Tawil adds.

He continues: “We conceptualised and designed Bawabat Al Sharq as a one-stop destination, where residents could take advantage of all the amenities and facilities for their lifestyle needs. Within the new Bawabat Al Sharq apartments, we have meticulously designed the internal and external spaces to accommodate the needs of residents in every aspect as well as appeal to their lifestyle.”
Meanwhile, work on the Bawabat Al Sharq Mall, being developed as part of the first phase of the project, is more than 60 per cent complete and is scheduled for completion by the end of this year. An interior design fit-out contract, valued at Dh88 million ($23.98 million), was recently awarded to Cloisall Company.
The scope of the contract includes metallic and electrical finishing, wood works, doors, windows, furnishing as well as mechanical-sanitary fixtures and extends to both the food-court area and Souk Al Megnas – a traditional suq that spreads across 4,500 sq m within the mall.

“The mall’s soft opening is planned for December 2 on the UAE National Day, while the grand opening is scheduled for the first quarter of 2011. Over 56 per cent of the mall has been leased out and we expect this figure will reach 65 per cent at the time of the soft opening,” says Tawil.
Encompassing over 339 shops and close to 70,000 sq m of gross leasable area, Bawabat Al Sharq Mall covers two floors of prime retail and leisure space. In addition to the high-profile retail outlets of fashion wear, electronics, and jewellery outlets, the mall will also host a Carrefour hypermarket, Wanasa family entertainment area, Grand Cinemas, 22 food outlets and parking space for 2,245 vehicles.
Key players for the project include Target Engineering Construction Company, the main contractor on Phase One. Cansult Maunsell/Aecom are the landscaping design contractor while the overall architect is World Planner Consultant Engineers. Renowned Australian design firm Saunders Global is responsible for the mall’s interiors.
Commenting on the market, Tawil says: “It is an end-user-driven market and is doing well. The market conditions are similar to those prevailing in 2007 and earlier. If we forget 2008 then we can say the market is doing well.”
BID says it ended 2009 at 180 per cent higher than the previous year in terms of sales. During the first quarter of this year, the company says it has performed 28 per cent above plan – that is, it sold 28 per cent more units than planned.
“Timely delivery of projects is a crucial component of our business and we are progressing ahead successfully,” he adds.