Real Estate

Rising to the challenge

Bluewaters Island ... home to Ain Dubai, the world’s largest observation wheel.

When designing Bluewaters Residences in Dubai, 10 Design (10) has been able to capitalise on the challenges presented by the project to create unique concepts that have provided these homes with direct access to the water’s edge.

Thus, the international award-winning architectural practice has created the ultimate in island living for Bluewaters Residences, which is built on a new man-made island off the coast of Jumeirah Beach Residence being developed by Dubai-based holding company Meraas.

To maximise this distinctive location, 10 has integrated a series of private landscape gardens elevated above sea level throughout the residential development, offering a unique viewing gallery to the blue azure horizon. 

Bluewaters Residences comprises 10 mid-rise buildings providing 698 apartments, four penthouses, and 17 townhouses.

Bluewaters Residences comprises 10 mid-rise buildings providing 698 apartments, four penthouses, and 17 townhouses.

Design Partner Nick Cordingley says: “One of the key successful factors for the Bluewaters Residences is that we have been able to steer a challenge into multiple design opportunities.  Due to the construction technique of the island, basement space is limited and therefore the design team introduced a ‘podium’ car-park structure, which in turn lifted the residential ground floor 10 m above the surrounding street level.

“The private realm of the residences could enjoy elevated views out to the ocean and above the public realm of the surrounding streetscape. We also utilised the ‘podium’ structure to introduce townhouse typology along the western edge, providing living space with direct access to the water edge. The rest of the masterplan integrates arrival spaces to the main circulation spine and accommodates retail and food and beverage (F&B) spaces to activate the ‘edges’ of the development, seamlessly integrating with the surrounding commercial streetscape.”

10 Design’s scope of works on the project covered architecture, masterplanning, sustainability and computer-generated imagery (CGI).

Bluewaters Residences comprises 10 elegant mid-rise buildings providing 698 apartments, four penthouses, and 17 townhouses with a total gross floor area of 115,283 sq m.  Covering a 63,670-sq-m site, the development offers a premium lifestyle with residential amenities including state-of-the-art gymnasiums, swimming pools, landscape gardens, basketball courts, and children’s play areas. 

Bluewaters Residences ... offering a unique viewing gallery to the blue azure horizon.

Bluewaters Residences ... offering a unique viewing gallery to the blue azure horizon.

In addition to creating an idyllic neighbourhood and community, Meraas is committed to create an immersive destination for the entire Bluewaters development, offering retail, hospitality, and entertainment experiences.  This tourism hotspot is home to Ain Dubai, the world’s largest observation wheel.  It is complemented with a shopping paradise, housing unique retail and dining concepts and two world’s leading hotels by Caesars Palace. 

10 Design partner Chris Jones comments: “The development, positioned as one of the most iconic offshore developments of the 21st century, has sold well and is seen as an iconic living destination within Dubai – a success for Meraas and 10 Design.”

In addition to amenities, easy accessibility is vital for any well considered destination. Bluewaters is within touching distance of Dubai Marina and is just a short drive from Abu Dhabi. The development is connected to the mainland by a direct road to Sheikh Zayed Road. There is also a 265-m pedestrian bridge joining the island to The Beach by Meraas.  

10 is also the design architect for the Bluewaters mosque, which seeks to enhance its role within the community, encouraging design innovation while preserving Islamic architectural heritage.  

 

Key Players:

Client: Meraas

Lead design architect: 10 Design

Development Manager: Mirage Leisure and Development

Local architect, structural engineer: Brewer Smith Brewer Gulf

Contractor: ASGC, Kier

Traffic engineer: Aurecon

MEP engineer: CKR Consulting

Landscape designer: EDSA

Façade lighting designer: Neolight

Quantity surveyor: Omnium, Meraas

Fire & life safety engineer, vertical transport engineer: WSP