Dubai’s iconic Burj Al Arab and Emirates Towers will be joined by another iconic building with the launch of Sunland Group’s The Atrium, a Dh 6bn luxury mixed-use development with a highly sculptural glass façade, located in Madinat Al Arab, the premier beachfront community at the prestigious Waterfront precinct – one of the most important masterplan projects forming the new Dubai .
Launched on 6 October – the first day of Cityscape Dubai and Sunland’s 25 year anniversary – the development’s unique and majestic design is set to be one of Waterfront’s most iconic buildings reaching 278 metres above sea level.
Set in landscaped gardens and enjoying head-turning views across the Arabian Gulf , The Atrium will provide a collection of stylish residences including studios, one, two and three-bedroom apartments, Skyhomes and four and five bedroom penthouses. Levels 2 to 68 of The Atrium will be dedicated to residences with an entire floor of lifestyle amenities on level one. This will include a residents’ lounge, two swimming pools, gymnasium, health spa, business lounge and library, juice bar, two private residents’ cinemas, billiards room, children’s activity centre, golf simulator, and function room.
At lobby level there is a 24 hour concierge providing access to each residential wing, along with ground level specialty retail shops and restaurants with secure basement parking. The collection of luxury apartments will range from 60 sq m (645 sq ft) for a studio apartment up to 1,250 sq m (13,455 sq ft) for a presidential-style penthouse on the top 68th residential floor.
In reflection of The Atrium’s location on Waterfront, one of Dubai ’s most important masterplan projects, Sunland Group launched an international external design competition for the project and shortlisted four of the world’s foremost architectural firms. The winning architectural practice was award-winning Pickard Chilton, who designed Four Seasons Place in Kuala Lumpur which was designed to complement the neighbouring Petronas Towers .
The Atrium will rise as two arching towers, blending together at the 47th level as one to form a sculpted gateway, framing and maximising view to the Arabian Gulf and the City. The distinguished design captures the sophisticated essence of the international and dynamic city that is Dubai .
The glass façade of The Atrium creates light and airy interiors which will be transformed daily by the interplay of light, shadow and reflection from the sky, beach and sea. The unique shape of The Atrium’s will create an ever-changing series of silhouettes across the surrounding landscape.
The design reflects Sunland Group’s philosophy of creating art as architecture and the building’s iconic structure and innovative design is based on a contemporary reinterpretation of the ancient Roman concept of atriums – where the main hall or courtyard of a home opens to the sky and is complemented by landscaped grounds with water features and plants. Sunland Group’s project cleverly replicates this concept creating a modern atrium in the form of an impressive glass entrance hall, the Winter Garden, rising to level two, surmounted by a dramatic enclave to the sky, rising up to where the building’s structure comes together at the 47th floor and continues to rise through to the 68th floor of luxury residential living.
Soheil Abedian, founder and managing director of Sunland Group, comments: “Given the stature and importance of Waterfront, which plays a central role in the creation of the new Dubai , we wanted to create an iconic residential building that complements the masterplan and that people will notice and will speak about for years to come.”
“What’s also exceptional about the scheme is that it is one of few opportunities for expatriates to buy in such a unique beachfront, freehold property in Dubai . The development will offer residents the ultimate in beachfront living with head-turning panoramic views across the Arabian Gulf .”
Scheduled for completion in 2013, the scheme is designed to provide the best leisure and business facilities and is ideal for a wide range of buyers including individuals, couples, families and investors. The residents’ lounge and facilities area on level one will comprise a TV and games area, DVD and CD library, wireless technology, billiards table, board games and kitchen facilities – the perfect space for parents and children to relax together.
In addition to the two outdoor terraced swimming pools that will incorporate adjacent changing room facilities, residents will enjoy a fully equipped gymnasium which features include a golf simulator, a state-of-the art health spa with treatment rooms and a business lounge and library with all the mod cons today’s professionals require – the ideal environment for adults to work, rest, and play, while residing in the luxurious beachfront location of Waterfront.
The Atrium will front onto the beautifully manicured Marine Beach Park , 21,800 sq m (234,653 sq ft) of landscaped grounds and waterfeatures, connecting The Atrium and the beach.
Reflecting on the design of The Atrium, Pickard Chilton’s principal architect Jon Pickard comments: “It is an honour to be involved in such a high-profile project which is set to be an iconic landmark within Waterfront and Dubai itself. We aimed to provide Dubai with a structure like nothing else, and drawing on the fact that Waterfront will serve as the new gateway into the city, The Atrium symbolically acts as the doorway to the new Dubai The height and form of the arched tower will present a unique and dynamic silhouette across all of Waterfront and the Arabian Gulf.”
Explaining The Atrium’s interiors, Mr Abedian comments: “The interior designs of The Atrium reflect Sunland’s innovative and contemporary design prowess to create buildings that reflect and embrace the environment. The lobby “Winter Garden” is a re-interpretation of the original concept of a Romanesque atrium with the lobby area featuring decorative water walls and reflecting pools. All interior space is inspired by The Atrium’s coastal location, incorporating cool marble, wool carpets and refined detailing with glossed timber accents.
“Each apartment draws on the key elements of water, air and light which are reflected in the materials we have used. Generously sized rooms create a sense of open, outdoor space while being complemented by exclusive fittings and furnishings. Master bedrooms will have walk-in wardrobes and floating stone vanities in the bathroom.”
The Atrium is one of the first developments in Waterfront to boast the newly formed Gold LEED standard which reflects Sunland Group’s commitment to sustainability.
Located on the western shores of Dubai , Waterfront will transform 1.4 billion square feet of empty desert and sea into an international community – for an estimated population of 1.5 million people – that is twice the size of Hong Kong Island . Waterfront is being developed on the last 15km of natural coastline in Dubai and will provide more than 70km of coastline in total, including the development of 23% of the Arabian Canal .
Of Dubai ’s last remaining 15km of natural coastline in Waterfront, Madinat Al Arab preserves an uninterrupted 7km. This will become the largest landscaped recreational public beach in Dubai . Madinat Al Arab, Waterfront’s premier beachfront community has commanding views of the Arabian Gulf, Palm Jebel Ali and the Waterfront Islands , this mixed-use development includes residential, hotel, commercial and retail components.
Prices at The Atrium will start from Dh 3,000/ sq ft.
