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Saadiyat visitor centre phase 1 ready in Nov

Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), the developer of Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, on Wednesday announced the first phase of its state-of-the-art visitor centre would be completed next month.

Manarat Al Saadiyat, which in Arabic translates to lighthouse, will be one of the Cultural District’s components and will feature international exhibitions from around the world.
The 15,400 sq m visitor centre will encompass four major galleries, an experience and sales centre, a 250-seat theatre and a restaurant, the company said in a statement.

Manarat Al Saadiyat will be home to The Saadiyat Story, an interactive narrative on the historical and cultural vision behind Saadiyat Island.

The purpose of this 1,874 sq m visitor centre is to narrate the story of Saadiyat Island and bring alive the future plans of the island.

It will also comprise the Arts Abu Dhabi Gallery, a permanent 1,946 s qm space dedicated to host series of exhibitions and educational programmes organised by TDIC.

Additionally, it will house the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Gallery and Louvre Abu Dhabi Gallery which will both showcase exhibitions related to these famed museums before they open by 2013.

Manarat Al Saadiyat will also feature the Central Events Gallery, a 660 sq m multi-purpose space for hosting Manarat Al Saadiyat’s special events calendar.

“We commissioned construction of the project in February 2009, and we are proud to have been able to deliver on our promise eight months later by launching the inaugural phase of Manarat Al Saadiyat,” said Lee Tabler, TDIC’s chief executive officer.

“The launch of Manarat Al Saadiyat is the first of many exciting groundbreakings and launches to come on Saadiyat Island in the near future,” Tabler added.

The first phase of the development will be completed in third week of November 2009 while the second phase, completed in April 2010, will include the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and Louvre Abu Dhabi galleries, the theatre and the restaurant.

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