In pics: Abu Dhabi’s Al Qana project, featuring region’s largest aquarium, now 90% complete

The massive Al Qana waterfront development coming up in Abu Dhabi, which will feature the largest aquarium in the Middle East, is now 90 per cent complete.

The project was originally slated to open in late 2020.

“Despite the challenges, the construction of the project in on schedule,” developer Al Barakah International Investment said in a statement.

Spread across 2.4km, the waterfront destination will feature seven anchor destinations including The National Aquarium, The Bridge Wellness and Lifestyle Hub, Cinemacity Al Qana – the largest standalone cinema in Abu Dhabi, e-sports and gaming hub Pixel as well as dining and entertainment activities.

The developer also confirmed that 95 per cent of the aquarium is complete, 85 per cent of the construction work on both the Al Qana Cinema and The Bridge Wellness hub has been done, and that 85 per cent of the landscaping is now in place.

The Marina and its 100 berths are now fully installed and food and beverage outlets are set to take handover of their units.

Fouad Mashal, CEO of Al Barakah International Investment, said: “Al Qana is our ultimate touristic project that will provide a very unique experience we all envision for the entertainment and tourism sectors in the UAE. As the tourism sector recovers from the travel restrictions due to the pandemic, Al Qana would be ready to receive visitors in 2021. We are almost there.

“Our top priority is to adapt to the new social norms in place to ensure the safety of visitors coming to this special social destination. Our team is working on new protocols and procedures with the relevant authorities to ensure the required guidelines are applied fully at our premises.”

Stuart Gissing, general manager of Al Qana, added: “We are committed to bring to the market a new way of experiencing entertainment. We are not a mall but a vibrant lifestyle destination of entertainment for all age brackets.”

Al Qana is the first-ever Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model implemented by the Abu Dhabi Municipality (ADM) and is jointly developed by Al Barakah International Investment.

International Construction Contracting Company is the lead contractor in charge of the project’s development.