01 September 2019

By the end of 2020, Abu Dhabi will open doors to a new recreational destination – a waterfront development called Al Qana, hosting The National Aquarium, the largest of its kind in the Middle East, which itself will feature the longest water tunnel in the UAE.

Located on the historic natural Khor Al Maqta, the waterway bordering the mainland in close proximity to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Al Qana spans across 2.4 km of scenic and picturesque waterfront.  It will provide an ideal destination to get away from the busy city and experience an atmosphere that will leave visitors feeling rejuvenated and excited, a spokesman for the project tells ABDULAZIZ KHATTAK of Gulf Construction.

Connected by four traversing bridges, visitors can stroll leisurely along the boulevard which offers the best in dining, entertainment, retail, wellness and adventure.

Comprising seven anchor districts, Al Qana offers a unique collection of attractions which apart from the Middle East’s largest aquarium include waterside eateries, the largest stand-alone cinema in Abu Dhabi, a yacht marina, the first-of-its-kind wellness hub, the first VR (virtual reality) park to the UAE, kids’ action zone, outdoor skatepark, and landscaped community spaces.

Ground on Al Qana was broken in April 2016 and the project is scheduled to be completed and open to the public by Q4 2020. It features 11 blocks, all of which are already under construction.

Al Qana is being jointly developed by the Abu Dhabi Municipality (ADM) with Al Barakah International Investment. It’s the municipality’s first-ever project implemented on the build-operate-transfer (BOT) model.

International Construction Contracting Company (ICCC) is the main contractor, and MZ Architect is the consultant.

The seven districts at Al Qana are:

• District 1 – Marina Views: It is the perfect spot for yacht owners, water-sports enthusiast and families to eat, drink and soak up the sun.

• District 2 – Community Convivence: Centrally located within Al Qana, this community area is designed to offer a range of retail and leisure options for families to enjoy.

• District 3 – Cinema Experience: With a large scale, stand-alone cinema complex and amphitheatre, Al Qana is the new hub for entertainment in Abu Dhabi. The impressive cinema will offer a unique cinematic experience and showcase the latest blockbuster films for the whole family to enjoy.

• District 4 – Fun and Activities: An adventure-fuelled gaming hub and physical activity section for thrill seekers. This space is designed to offer the best of both worlds, a dedicated virtual reality gaming complex and a trampolining centre.

• District 5 – Fitness and Wellbeing: Featuring a uniquely designed, state-of-the-art health and fitness centre, the district allows visitors and members to enjoy the latest trends in group classes, personal training and nutritional coaching to achieve transformational results for their mind, body and soul.

• District 6 – Aquarium Adventure: The design of this district is intended to feature the largest and most awe-inspiring aquarium in Abu Dhabi spanning across 7,000 sq m.

• District 7 – Socialise and Dine: Visitors can experience some of Abu Dhabi’s best restaurants with breathtaking views. Nestled at the end of the development overlooking the stunning skyline and waterfront, this dedicated dining space offers a blend of both high quality restaurants and family dining experiences.

Al Qana is more than just a dining and entertainment waterfront destination, says Fouad Mashal, the CEO of Al Barakah International Investment.

“When we conceptualised the project, our objective was to make a social impact and improve the standard and quality of living in Abu Dhabi. We want to support Abu Dhabi’s vision of becoming one of the most liveable cities in the world by 2021,” he adds.

Al Qana is set to become a significant part of the Abu Dhabi landscape and is aimed at adding to the economic and touristic mix. The developer and its partners exerted extra effort and time to enhance the project with unique features and world-leading design to ensure its responds to the needs and requirements of local residents and visitors. 

Al Qana aims to attract more than 150 must-see concepts across the 11 blocks with a total leasable area of 60,000 sq m. With its focus being on recreation and fun for all, it has already signed over 52 per cent of its leasable spaces to entertainment and anchor attractions, and aims to have attractive and unique concepts in the remaining space.

 

Aquarium

The National Aquarium will be a key destination at Al Qana, where more than 33,000 marine creatures from 250 species – responsibly and ethically sourced from around the world – will be housed across two storeys measuring over 7,000 sq m. It is expected to welcome an estimated one million visitors per year and is projected to open early next year.

The aquarium project is spearheaded by renowned marine biologist Paul Hamilton, who’s also the general manager of The National Aquarium. He has previously set up the Dubai Aquarium in Dubai Mall. To support him, a top-notch team of 80 qualified marine specialists and technical experts have been selected from all around the world to handle the creatures with care.

“This is the 12th public aquarium that I’ve worked on and probably the most exciting, in terms of the scale, uniqueness and attention to detail. This will bring the excitement and wonder of the oceans to the doorsteps of Abu Dhabi’s community and to visitors from all around the world,” says Hamilton.

The National Aquarium will serve as a place where awareness will be created about the environment and the habitats and ecosystems of animals.

“Through accredited educational programmes and accessible information, people of all ages will be able to understand more about the marine world at The National Aquarium, fostering a deeper appreciation of the creatures, corals and plants that make the underwater realm so fascinating and worth protecting,” says Hamilton.

The aquarium will feature 10 unique zones, which are Jewels of Arabia, Red Sea, Mediterranean Cave, Submarine, Pacific Ocean, Ocean Magic, Frozen Ocean, Rain Forest, River Shark, and Bu Tinah. Each zone will offer exciting interactions.

The spokesman says The National Aquarium will host key creatures of all sizes – ranging from 1 cm to 7 m, and that “will generate great attention especially in the region”.

“On a global scale, not every aquarium can or is willing to house the type of dangerous creatures as we will do. This is our unique selling proposition to the region,” the spokesman says.

The aquarium will also feature the UAE’s longest water tunnel encouraging people to dive deeper into the underwater world.

Construction work on the aquarium is at an advanced stage and ahead of schedule, with a 70 per cent construction milestone achieved.

Okyanus, considered among the world’s most experienced aquarium designers, is in charge of the fit-outs at The National Aquarium.

Stuart Gissing, general manager of Al Qana says: “Al Qana will bring world and regional firsts in aquarium design and management. For visitors, the experience will be unmatched, from viewing aspects to interactivity, entertainment and the unique journey through the underwater world. The National Aquarium swims clear of any competition.”

Commenting on the challenges, the spokesman says: “Such an important project doesn’t come without its challenges. We are building a social dining and entertainment destination with high expectations from nationals, residents and government officials. This is the reason why we worked hard to hire experienced and talented staff.

“We have partnered with world-class companies from around the world to raise the quality of this project. We aim to exceed the expectations by delivering a unique destination that will provide an unparalleled experience to its visitors and make them feel rejuvenated, excited and alive,” he concludes.  

• Stimulating growth
• Abu Dhabi projects at a glance
• Steaming ahead
• Unique destination
• First residents move into Azure Al Reem
• Meva systems help shape residential tower

Tags

Abu Dhabi Concrete Technology Leisure Facilities Chemicals Access Equipment Power Generation Regional News Saudi Focus UAE Focus Events Legally Bound Real Estate Contractors Interiors Tenders Manufacturers & Procurement

Gulf Construction is the undisputed leading trade journal for the building and construction industries of Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf states. The magazine provides editorial coverage on a wide range of topics which are of interest to industry professionals. In addition, regular features highlight technological developments within specific industry fields. Launched 40 years ago, the magazine has established an enviable reputation as an authoritative, respected journal with unmatched coverage of the Gulf region. Gulf Construction is essential reading for anyone with a serious interest in the region’s building and construction industry.