City update: Ras Al Khaimah, UAE

In the beginning stages of development, where some regions looked to oil and gas reserves to boost their economies, Ras Al Khaimah turned to its mountains, where limestone, gabbro, silica and other clays would provide a foundation for the cement, ceramic and glass industries. Now, thousands of manufacturers of these very products are located in the city’s industrial areas. RAK Freezone, for example, which was established in 2000, currently accommodates some
5000 companies.

In recent years the emirate has once again turned to its natural surroundings, but this time, for a whole new purpose.
New construction activity makes the most of the city’s picturesque environment by focusing on hospitality and real estate. A raft of projects have broken ground over the past few years that are expected to attract tourists, GCC nationals and expatriates alike. Such projects include Mina Al Arab, a coastal development, which will extend some 4.5km into the sea from the mainland. 

Another waterfront development, Al Marjan Island, is destined to become a place for luxurious living. Five coral islands are being developed off the coast of the emirate, which will be home to residential areas and resorts. However, the La Hoya Bay development, which was due to be one of the first projects to be completed on Al Marjan Island has been put on hold. The project was due to be completed in March 2008. The real estate developer, Khoie Properties, could not elaborate on the matter.

Other projects are progressing on time, such as the US $50 million  (AED183.6 million) Banyan Tree Al Wadi, a resort based in the desert, which is due to be handed over next month. The project will feature several villas, which have been designed to pay tribute to the region’s heritage, as well as hotels, spas, conference halls and a camel and
horse station.

Mina Al Arab
The US $2.7 billion (AED10 billion) Mina Al Arab is a mixed use development being constructed along the coast of Ras Al Khaimah. The project will incorporate six districts, which will cover an area of 2.8 million m² and will be spread along 13km of beachfront and a cluster of islands.

The resort includes a harbour, complete with restaurants, cafes and a water taxi; a hotel; an Arabian Adventures theme park; as well as ecological reserves and wetlands. RAK Properties (RAKP) is the real estate developer behind this project and has told Construction Week that marine work and infrastructure is now complete.

The company is currently working on residential areas, Precinct four and Precinct five. It is anticipated that the remaining precincts and hotels will be implemented from the end of this year through to around 2014, by which date the project is set to be complete and include 3500 residential units and 388 villas.

Al Marjan Island
Al Marjan Island is set to become the first man-made island project to be developed in the emirate. The $1 billion project will consist of waterfront homes, floating villas, hotels, resorts and leisure facilities. So far, dredging work has been completed. According to project developer Rakeen, infrastructure work for Peninsula and Island one; and Islands two; three; and four, is ongoing and is due to be completed by the second half of 2010. Various developments on site are under construction and progressing.

The Bab Al Bahr development is aimed at becoming one of the most iconic developments in the area. It will feature apartments, retail and office spaces with beachfront and garden views. It will be located on the peninsula of Al Marjan Island project.

The $1.2 billion development is currently under construction. Six terraced apartment blocks are expected to be completed by the half of 2010 according to Rakeen. The developer has other projects in the pipeline such as Gateway City, which is currently in its final design stages. The project is expected to double the emirate’s population to around 500,000 in the next five years.

Julfar Towers
Scheduled for completion by the end of this year, Julfar Towers is a 45-storey twin tower block and once completed will be the tallest building in Ras Al Khaimah. One tower will consist of residential units, while the other will include commercial units. The blocks, being developed by RAK Properties, are set on a 3-level podium, which will incorporate a shopping mall and other leisure facilities. RAK Properties is also looking into developing further residential projects in Masafi, a village which spreads over Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, UAE.