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Cover Feature
Love Thy Neighbourhood
Reem Island
All you need to know about Abu Dhabi’s brand new island development...
Renting and buying 600 metres off of Abu Dhabi Island, and just 20 minutes from Abu Dhabi Airport, this new development is costing $30 billion to complete. The 6.5 million square metre space will have over 22,000 residential units by the time it’s finished, so now is a great time to invest in the area. Currently, there are over 30 fully operating apartment buildings to choose from, including Sky Tower and Sun Tower – which is currently offering a lease-to-buy scheme, so residents can put the first few years of their rental costs towards a deposit on their home (if they choose to eventually buy their apartment). Other complexes include Hydra Platinum Tower, Omega Tower and Falcon Crest Tower.
Shopping and a bite As this skyscraper city is brand new – with plans to eventually have malls, schools October 2011
and golf courses – there are not masses of dining options, yet. However, construction is at full throttle and in the next year a five star hotel named Al Shams is due to open, as are stores such as Waitrose. Until then, residents can enjoy a traffic free short trip to ‘old’ Abu Dhabi, where they can choose from a plethora of great hotels to dine at – try the ever excellent Finz at Beach Rotana. If you’re grocery shopping there’s the likes of Carrefour and Spinney’s, though gourmands should definitely make for Jones the Grocer (jonesthegrocer.com) in the Al Mamoura building, where they can buy vintage cheeses, sliced meats and cooked meals to take away. .
Leisure Time
Sun Tower includes a sizable gym, five swimming pools, tennis and squash courts and a shopping arcade with a Waitrose supermarket soon to open on
site. Further afield from Reem Island, Abu Dhabi offers a range of activities such as a Grand Mosque tour (abudhabitourism. ae), where families can peek inside the stunning domed structure and indulge in the history and culture of the area. If your children enjoy wildlife, take them to the Falcon Hospital (falconhospital.com), where they can learn about the national birds and have a traditional lunch in an Arabic tent. Active families should try jet skiing with Sea Tourism (02 681 3064) by the capital’s beautiful corniche.
Schooling Abu Dhabi offers a vast array of schools – primary and secondary – and curriculums. A 15 minute drive away from Reem Island you’ll find Our Own English High School Abu Dhabi (02 642 5990) and Islamia English School (02 641 7773).