Infrastructure work on the first phase of the Dh2-billion ($544.521 million) Al Zorah project in Ajman is nearing completion.

The Phase One infrastructure works include the design, earthworks, work on four marinas that can accommodate more than 200 boats, an 18-hole championship golf course, a highway linking Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road to Al Zorah, the entire road and utility networks, a bridge, and water edge protection across 3.5 km of waterfront.

Located along the breathtaking natural peninsula on the coastline of Ajman, the flagship project of Al Zorah Development Company is spread over an area of 5.4 million sq m. Set apart from other destinations by its exotic setting of natural mangroves and seafront, Al Zorah blends the best of nature with the finest in modern amenities to create refined places for life. The freehold development encompasses 12 km of waterfront, 1.6 km of sandy beaches and a 700,000-sq-m golf course.

The massive project comprises five key districts: The Gateway; Beachfront; Peninsula; Creekside; and Golf Course. The Gateway stands at the project’s entrance around Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road, and features retail facilities and high-rise towers.

The Beachfront includes high-end resorts, a beach club, a boardwalk, and beachfront residential serviced apartments. Peninsula, interconnected by a network of pedestrian passages, features an entertainment complex, a marina, Al Zorah souks, and a lifestyle centre. Creekside is a residential and hotel quarter with direct access to the waterfront promenade, four marinas, and a mangrove exploration trail.

Dana ... progressing ahead.

First phase

The first phase of the project is progressing and is set to welcome its first residents in June 2016. The key components of the first phase include a 113-key beach resort operated by Oberoi, a 192-key beach resort operated by Lux, an 18-hole golf course by Nicklaus Design, 42 premium residential villas on the golf course, serviced residential apartments, and The Pavilion, Al Zorah’s sales centre.

The golf course is set to open before the year-end, says Imad Dana, CEO of Al Zorah Development Company, a joint partnership between the Government of Ajman and Solidere International.

“The first phase of villas is also progressing and we hope to start handing over to buyers by June 2016. The Oberoi is up and is in finishing stage and will be completed by February 2016, while Lux, the second resort, will be completed by early 2017.

“Four marinas have been completed and one has been furnished with pontoons. They will start receiving boats in early 2016,” he says.

Al Zorah Beach Residences ... an overiew.

New launch

Al Zorah has recently launched two new communities with a development value of Dh1.5 billion ($408.391 million), within the development.

These include the Golf Estates gated community, a combination of villas, townhouses and apartments set on the golf course within The Fairways district.

The Al Zorah Beach Residences meanwhile comprises chalet-style villas and apartments in The Shores district, in what will be the country’s first residential property on the beach right next to a golf course.

“Golf Estates will include 200 villas and townhouses and 600 apartments spread over nine buildings. Work on the villas will start before the end of this year while work on two of the nine apartment blocks will start early next year,” says Dana.

Prestige Building Contracting, involved with the villas project in Phase One, will be constructing the Golf Estate villas.

Al Zorah Beach Residences in The Shores district will be located next to Lux and will include 21 villas and 130 apartments. Work on the project will start next year. The company is targeting June 2017 for handover.

Al Zorah Beach Residences ... an overiew.

Masterplan

According to Dana, the focus of the masterplan is to ensure that residents and visitors can enjoy a relaxed lifestyle in total harmony with nature.

“Life comes naturally at Al Zorah,” he says. “Envisaged to be the ultimate getaway for homes or holidays, the community is an all-inclusive mixed-use development that showcases all the lifestyle amenities that add tremendous value.”

He adds: “Al Zorah is a destination like no other and offers a new UAE lifestyle and touristic destination in a spirit-uplifting natural setting. As a free zone development, it brings unparalleled value to residents and investors. It provides 100 per cent ownership of business, land, villas and apartments and a hassle-free approach to setting up business to achieve the long-term growth objectives of our valued clientele.”

Residents and visitors will enjoy pedestrian-friendly environments, small parks, waterfront and mangroves board walks, as well as dedicated landscaped routes for jogging, cycling and buggies. Nearly two-third of the masterplan focuses on creating open public spaces that differentiates Al Zorah from urban master-planned projects.

Nestled by over 1 million sq m of natural mangroves, home to more than 58 bird species including the elegant pink flamingos, 12 km of waterfront and 1.6 km of sandy beaches, leisure becomes a natural lifestyle at Al Zorah.

The Marina watersports club, designed for refined leisure, brings an active lifestyle and nature-oriented outdoor activities including rowing, kayaking, sailing, fishing and mangroves exploration, to become part of a daily routine.