Reaching for the sky

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Impressive development: this area will be instantly recognisable as it is crowned by the mixed-use 74-storey Sky Tower.

Abu Dhabi's desire to be one of the Middle East's main attractions in the coming years, was clearly illustrated earlier this year, when it announced a number of high-profile developments, which not only were broad in scale, but stood out against the frenzy of Dubai for their affiliations with international names such as the Louvre and Guggeinheim.

With an emphasis on culture and steady progression, as opposed to frantic expansion risking a straining infrastructure and loss of identity, Abu Dhabi, well placed through its position atop 1/10th of the world's oil reserves (and consequently afforded the precious commodity of time), is positioning itself squarely as the cultural hub of the Middle East.

With an estimated $150 billion (AED 550 billion) of projects planned, including major developments on Saadiyat Island, Al LuLu Island, Al Raha Beach and Formula 1 on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi is undoubtedly laying the foundations for an assault on the world stage in the next few years.

One of the capital's signature developments that will be key to securing this vision is Al Reem Island. Located to the east of the city's corniche, this will be a stand-alone urban community of 6.5 million m² featuring business, commercial and residential districts and will be the largest in the region to be completed on a natural island, and just 20 minutes from Abu Dhabi airport.

It is being developed by three companies; Al Reem Investments is developing about 20% of the island, as is Sorouh, with Tamouh developing the remaining 60% who have invested $15 billion into the island. Shams Abu Dhabi, Sorouh's flagship project is a $7 billion landmark development on Reem island. A completely new city of 75,000, Shams Abu Dhabi is designed as a self sustaining city of canals and parks which integrate master planning practices.

Located at the entrance to Shams Abu Dhabi will be the Gate District, a cluster of eight towers. The $3 billion residential, office and retail development is designed as a gateway to the peninsula from Reem Island. The project will occupy approximately 25% of the island, 1.32 million m², 90% of which will be dedicated to residential buildings, with the potential to develop 22,000 units that can house 100,000 people.

This area will be instantly recognisable as it will be crowned by the 73-storey Sky Tower, a mixed-use building of residential and commercial property. Original plans were for it to be the tallest building in Abu Dhabi when completed, but this accolade will now belong to Aldar's tower in the Central Market complex. In fact, due to the height ceiling stipulated by the airport, the height of the tower was reduced from the original height of 84 storeys. The final height of the tower is now expected to be 300 metres, from the original proposed 380m.

Mohammed Faten, senior construction manager and project manager, ACC explains the difference between the two structures. "Basically, we have two towers, Sky Tower and Sun Tower; the first is 73 storeys, while the second is 63 sitting on podium measuring 41,500m2, featuring three basements and five floors above ground."

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