Ajman's jewel

Ajman has high hopes for the development of its new marina. Michele Howe finds out how masterplanner HOK intends to make the grade.

Promoted as the prospective 'jewel in its crown', expectations are high for the development of the new marina in the UAE's smallest state, Ajman.

So far, Ajman, which is located along the Persian Gulf, has held a relatively low profile, at least in comparison to some of its more glitzy neighbours such as Dubai, but plans are now afoot to give it more prominence through a series of regeneration and development projects.

The pinnacle of these is the US$2 billion new marina, which is under development by Saudi Arabia-based investment company Tanmiyat Properties.

Tanmiyat is hoping to transform the marina area to give the emirate more of a 'competitive edge' and to better realise the commercial value of its beautiful natural coastline and close proximity to Dubai and Sharjah.

"With the launch of Ajman Marina, we are launching a new step in the Emirate's growth in order to reach the position that it deserves, both locally and regionally. We are moving forward to achieve all the visions that make Ajman a prime module of ideal growth, of which the local people and region will be proud," said H.E Sheikh Ammar Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, crown price of Ajman and chairman of the Ajman Executive Council as the project was announced.

"The marina when complete will be a stunning advertisement for the emirate of Ajman," added Tanmiyat general manager for Ajman Marina Azad Nouri.

Tasked with realising the ambitious plans for the marina is design firm HOK International, which has produced the masterplan for the development.

Key to the masterplan was keeping the spirit of the existing Ajman port, explains Tim Gale, vice president, head of landscape planning and urban design at HOK. "In Ajman, the marina is the old dhow port and is where the fishermen came in, but there was also a base for trading with Iran. So it was very much the heart of how Ajman grew up as a trading port and that is something important for both the government and the client [to retain]," he says.

HOK proposes to do this by keeping the port but reducing the size of the water body slightly to accommodate the required space for commercial development whilst still allowing ample public space.

The client wanted approximately 1.1 million m² of mixed-use development on the 26 hectare site. This will consist of commercial towers, residential towers, a grand mall, a luxury hotel, as well as a yacht club and community spaces. The development is expected to provide accommodation for up to 18,000 people.

HOK is, of course, well suited for the task in hand having already the design of Dubai Marina among other regional marina projects under its belt. The design firm is also doing the masterplan and architectural design for Abu Dhabi Marina.

From the vantage point of its previous marina experience, HOK was keen to introduce variety in the scale of buildings and to protect the public space, says Gale.

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