Al Reem Island is purely residential, right?
The island is predominantly apartments and townhouses. The Urban Planning Council in June of this year announced Reem will become a community of 210,000 people, with 11 private schools, nine mosques and 50 hectares of parkland. There are no hotels on the island. The most well-known building is Gate Tower, comprised of three towers, connected at the top. The island is home to Repton School and Paris Sorbonne University.
We hear there are even bigger plans for the place.
It certainly seems so. The property market will see more affordable housing options added, and the Island is also set to get its very own mall, with completion expected towards the end of 2018. Reem Mall will be a two million sq ft shopping facility, with a hypermarket, food outlets and several anchor stores.
An area known as The City of Lights – close to Gate Tower – is also under construction. It will bring more homes with it, but will also add a parade of shops, cafés and other outlets along the waterfront.
So what can non-Island cool young things do there?
Sun & Sky Rowers, two residential buildings, are connected at the bottom by Boutik Mall. This is filled with cafés and other dining outlets as well as a gent’s salon, electronics shop, laundry service, nail spa and more. It’s also a popular place for non-Island residents to do their weekly food shop, thanks to the large Waitrose supermarket.
Alternatively, head over to Marina Square to dine at outlets including 800 Pizza, Burger Bureau and the newly opened Mug & Bean. Marina Square is also home to Paragon Bay Mall. This mall has been “opening soon” for more than two years now – and it doesn’t seem like there’s any work happening with great haste at present. Given it will house the area’s only cinema, we’re hoping construction picks up soon.
It’s also worth knowing about Primal Gym. Located at the back of the Island, Primal Gym offers classes including yoga, Zumba and circuit training. Perhaps most notably, it has world-class champions coaching its martial arts sessions. Kiai!
Only on Reem Island
Bowling alley 
Not many people know about the bowling alley in Boutik Mall (maybe the residents are trying to keep it under wraps) but it’s a great facility with arcade games and other activities for the little ones in your family. There are plenty of lanes in the alley so you’re never waiting to play. It’s located next to the food court on level one.
(02 810 5862).
