Bab Al Bahr-Press Release

Bab Al Bahr: Redefining the Ras Al Khaimah lifestyle

November, 2008

Bab Al Bahr, the inaugural development project on Ras Al Khaimah's Al Marjan Island, a man-made coral shaped atoll by master developer Rakeen, represents the growing strength of Ras Al Khaimah as a prime destination for business and luxury living in the region. Developed by Rakeen with a cost of AED 1.2 billion, Bab Al Bahr is a mixed-use resort development that distinctly combines a wide range of luxurious residential facilities with a complete set of leisure, recreation and commercial amenities, providing a truly vibrant lifestyle for occupants and remarkably high investment value for the project's growing number of investors.

The island-inspired, fully integrated development also offers occupants and visitors stunning 360-degree sea views as well as extensive landscaping that includes exotic gardens and a 500-meter long stretch of beach, important value-added features that further enhance the standard of living within the Bab Al Bahr community.

Wahid Attalla, CEO, Spectrum Consultants, Owner's Representatives and Consultants of Bab Al Bahr, says that one of the project's core strengths is its extensive and detailed master plan, which takes into consideration even the minute details of the different aspects of the development. "Bab Al Bahr has been the result of world-class master planning, with the ultimate aim of exceeding the expectations of its multicultural occupants and investors. Bab Al Bahr offers a truly vibrant lifestyle that provides easy access to practically all essential amenities in business, leisure and home living. Without a doubt, Bab Al Bahr is redefining the Ras Al Khaimah lifestyle in ways that people from different nationalities and cultures will truly appreciate."

On completion scheduled in the second quarter of 2010, Bab Al Bahr will feature six residential buildings with a total of 832 residential freehold apartments broken into 132 studio apartments, 346 one-bedroom apartments, 252 two-bedroom apartments and 102 three-bedroom apartments. Key features of the residential component include themed swimming pools, children’s play areas, club privilege access, 24-hour security, ample parking space for up to 940 cars, 100 per cent free-hold ownership for residents, exotic gardens, private beach, a la carte dining options, facilities for various beach activities and a nearby golf course. In addition, Bab Al Bahr will also feature a world-class resort hotel with up to 320 rooms and suites to be managed by B&G Hotels and Resorts.

The Bab Al Bahr Office Tower, a 20-floor office facility integrated into a three-tiered, 19,000-square metre shopping complex, is one of the centrepiece developments within the project and serves as the premier commercial hub of the integrated community. The state-of-the-art tower boasts luxury retail stores, coffee shops, a food court, a family entertainment centre and four cinemas with ample underground parking facility. The 18,500 square meter main office tower is equipped with all essential business and office amenities, including an underground parking for up to 400 cars, on top of stunning views of the Arabian Gulf. Bab Al Bahr Office Tower also provides easy access to the fully integrated development complex of residential apartments and a 320-room resort hotel.

Another key feature of Bab Al Bahr is that it facilitates easy travel to the international airports of Ras Al Khaimah, Dubai and Sharjah, making it an important strategic location for travel-oriented persons or business organisations.

On top of its highly attractive concept, another important feature of Bab Al Bahr is its consistent pace of development, which is an important consideration among investors. Full piling works for the residential areas of Bab Al Bahr and 50 per cent of the piling works for the retail and offices tower have already been completed on schedule, paving the way for construction of the residential units. It has been a particularly impressive feat for the Bab Al Bahr project to remain right on schedule as there have been several challenges that have hounded the regional construction industry, including supply and manpower shortage and fluctuating prices of building materials.

As part of its strategy to enhance customer satisfaction, a new Sales Centre located on Al Marjan Island adjacent to Bab Al Bahr project has also been unveiled recently, with H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qassimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, personally inaugurating the facility. The Sales Centre is equipped with offices and a multi-function room for business meetings, offering a highly convenient and comfortable venue for investors and property buyers to facilitate the requirements in acquiring properties within Bab Al Bahr. In addition, the Sales Centre also showcases model units of one and two-bedroom apartments to provide an exclusive opportunity to sample the distinctly rich lifestyle of Bab Al Bahr.

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