Bani Yas Investment and Development Company (BID) announced the launch of Bawabat Al Sharq, a massive 108 hectares mixed-use development in Abu Dhabi’s Bani Yas city.

This unique project will encompass modern residential, retail, entertainment and sporting facilities.

Bawabat Al Sharq will include the new headquarters and sports facilities for the Bani Yas Sports Club, which includes a Fifa-standard football stadium with a seating capacity for over 20,000 spectators.

The first phase of the project, due to be completed during the first quarter of 2010, is the first of many pioneering projects due to be announced by BID.

Bawabat Al Sharq will include a first-of-its-kind shopping centre spread across 134,409 sq m, offering the best of retail and entertainment avenues and a parking lot that can accommodate over 2,200 vehicles.

BID chairman Jawaan Al Khaili said Bawabat Al Sharq would enhance the leisure and tourism appeal of Bani Yas as it would provide an impetus to the economy of the region and create an unparalleled attraction – setting a new benchmark in the residential and retail landscape.

"Bawabat Al Sharq will extend the perfect balance between luxurious living and an active lifestyle in an integrated community that has everything to offer.”

Extending a distinctive lifestyle of comfort and indulgence, the development will offer a cosmopolitan and free-spirited atmosphere with a vast array of world-class facilities and unmatched amenities.

These include a sophisticated choice of retail, schools, a medical centre, health club, specialty training clubs and a major sports stadium.
It will also include an international hypermarket operator as an anchor tenant in the mall, 16 food court outlets and other community amenities such as banks, pharmacies, cinemas, bowling, snooker and coffee shops.

“We are delighted to unveil a masterpiece for the most discerning community in the region – a strategic project offering everything that one seeks; from state-of-the-art facilities to an eco-friendly environment," he said.

"The launch of Bawabat Al Sharq reflects our commitment to offer high quality projects which reinforce our position as a leading player in the Middle East real estate milieu. We will soon unveil more details about the other projects in the pipeline."

Additional leisure facilities in the development include a gymnasium, swimming pools, community club house, multipurpose halls, children’s play area, barbecue area, tennis courts and a motor dealership, he added.-TradeArabia News Service