Ajman’s newly-launched Escape equestrian community has appointed an international line-up of contractors for its 8.2 million sq ft project.

Hyder ACLA has been appointed masterplanner, De Leeuw Middle East as project quantity surveyor, Hyder Consulting as infrastructure consultant, Hill International as project manager, and AJ Design as architect of record for the villas and low-rise residential buildings.
The project, located off the Emirates Road on the Ajman - Sharjah border, is set to break ground soon and is scheduled for completion by December 2010, says a spokesman for the developer.
Conceptualised and developed by Equine Management Services, Escape was launched in late January and will be a 200-acre equestrian-themed residential development offering villas, low-rise apartments, a boutique hotel, and a full range of equestrian facilities in addition to several multi-purpose sports arenas. Named after Crown Prince of Ajman Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi’s world champion Arabian stallion, Escape Ibn Navarrone –D, the exclusive, gated community promises a unique country living experience.
Villas are currently selling, and apartments are being released in several phases over the next several months.
The Residences at Escape will be within an exclusive gated community that combines homes and apartments, each with their own character. The project will offer the best of country and outdoor living with beautifully landscaped gardens, terraces and balconies.
There will be over 500 three and four-bedroom villas, including 10 luxury villas, and a total of six additional floor plan options. In addition, there will be 16 apartment buildings which will offer one, two, and three bedroom styles in buildings of varying height.
The villas at Escape will maintain open space, without property walls, and their architectural inspiration follows the traditional Arabic, Ottoman, and Mediterranean influences. Low rise apartments border the residential area of the development and are only between eight and 13 levels so as to further enhance the relaxed, country atmosphere of the community.
The Escape equestrian community caters to diverse sports enthusiasts and not just horse enthusiasts and will encourage sport and wellness throughout all segments of society.
The main barns at Escape were specially designed by a leading equestrian developer, and will be some of the most beautiful and efficient in the region. The barns cover every aspect of equine well-being in terms of layout and functionality.
A 33-stall equine spa and therapy centre is on site and is dedicated to the rehabilitation and physical well-being of the horse. Catering to horses from all equestrian disciplines and staffed by international equine care specialists, the facility will diagnose, treat, and rehabilitate troubled or injured horses from a variety of holistic treatment approaches.
Escape offers a total of 223 stalls, 24 of which are in purpose built quarantine stable blocks, thus giving the entire community the capacity to host horses from abroad for major international competitions.
At the heart of the entire Escape equestrian community is the Hoofbeatz Activities Centre and Clubhouse. The entertainment facility houses an array of fun and educational equine-themed games, experiences and activities. The Hoofbeatz Activities Centre is attached to the Resort at Escape, and also offers a gym, changing rooms, a restaurant, and a sports-themed bar.
Set on a natural rise is the Resort at Escape, a 150 room equestrian-themed boutique hotel, where each room will be dedicated to a different breed of horse and will feature stunning original artwork and murals. “It is designed to be the only equestrian-themed hotel in the world,” says the spokesman.
The Resort at Escape will house several restaurants, conferencing facilities, a Middle Eastern and Asian-inspired spa, tennis courts, two swimming pools, and full gym and fitness facilities. Rooms within the hotel are all positioned with views that either look down into a central courtyard which doubles as an equestrian show ring, or out across the surrounding pastures and stabling blocks.