If you were ever going to be stranded on an island, you’d want to make it Yas.
It is a place where the wildest of dreams become a brilliant reality – be it riding the world’s fastest roller coaster, tearing around an F1 track or, now, seeing cartoon heroes brought to life in brilliant technicolour at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi.
The exciting launch of the theme park – set for July 25 – is the just the latest glittering jewel in the crown of the capital’s ultimate entertainment destination.
Bold plans are in place to turn the island into a global tourist trap attracting as many as 48 million visitors a year by 2022.
Two luxury hotels, a plush promenade, scores of new restaurants, a shiny new arena and thousands of new homes will be built as Yas refuses to take no for an answer. Here are the dynamic developments swiftly putting Yas Island on the global map.
Still to come
CLYMB
Capital thrill-seekers will soon be able to scale new heights as the world’s tallest indoor climbing wall prepares to open its doors later this year. CLYMB, which will be linked to the nearby Yas Mall and is being driven forward by developers Miral, will also be home to the world’s widest flight chamber, which will recreate the experience of skydiving in a 32 foot-deep space.
SeaWorld
The international attraction will be making waves in Abu Dhabi in 2022. UAE destination developers Miral have joined forces with SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment to deliver a first-of-its-kind marine life theme park on the island. The next-generation venue will have a whole host of impressive features, including the UAE’s first dedicated marine life research, rescue, rehabilitation and return centre. Let’s see what happens when it opens.
Yas Bay
The Dhs12 billion mega project aimed at transforming the south side of the island is scheduled to be completed by the end of next year. It will boast a state-of-the art arena, two luxury hotels, more than 50 restaurants and a plush promenade.
The ambitious scheme, which is being spearheaded by UAE developers Miral, will be split into three distinct zones: a vibrant public waterfront and entertainment district, a media zone, which will be the new campus for twofour54 and the Residences at Yas Bay, an urban island community promising the ultimate Yas lifestyle.
The development is set to attract more than 15,000 new residents and 10,000 working professionals to Yas Island.
Find your new home
If just paying a visit to Yas Island isn’t enough for you, why not live there. Aldar Properties began the phased hand-over of residential units for its Ansam development at the back end of 2017.
Located on the west side of the island, Ansam features four Andalusian-style apartment buildings made up of studios and one-, two- and three-bedroom units. The launch of Ansam is a milestone moment for Yas as it is the first housing development in the area to be handed over to residents, marking the establishment of a permanent population on the island that will only grow as years go by.
Water’s Edge, a Dhs2.4 billion waterfront scheme, is also set to make a big splash on the island in 2020. The development, again spearheaded by Aldar Properties, will see 2,225 new homes built on a waterfront site lined with recreational and retail facilities, restaurants and cafés, all within easy reach of the island’s attractions.
It looks set to be one of the most affordable addresses in the emirate, with prices will start at Dhs480,000. Time to start saving.
