Dubai, UAE; May 9, 2008: Emaar Hospitality Group LLC is on schedule with the summer opening of the Yacht Club Marina within Dubai Marina, the first and largest of its kind waterfront development in the region. A centrepiece of Dubai Marina, the Yacht Club Marina has been designed to accommodate larger yachts and is laid out in a Mediterranean fashion in front of the Dubai Marina Yacht Clubhouse.
When completed this summer, the 120-berth marina will be the first new marina of 2008 in the UAE and will help to meet the growing demand for berthing and access to the Arabian Gulf’s azure waters.
“Dubai Marina Yacht Club is far more than just a place for parking yachts,” said Mr Steve Stiglbauer, General Manager, Dubai Marina. “It brings in new level of niche hospitality services to Dubai that will appeal to yacht owners and marine enthusiasts. We ensure all our members have a full marina lifestyle experience – be that going out on the water or relaxing on our restaurant terrace looking out over the marina.”
Located in centre of the 3.5 km long Dubai Marina canal development, the Yacht Club Marina is being developed to the highest standards using the Bellingham system, which employs professionally developed floating concrete pontoons.
Mr Paul Sorrel, Harbourmaster, Dubai Marina, said: “The Yacht Club Marina has been specifically designed to accommodate larger yachts. The Bellingham system, delivered by Septech Emirates, is respected throughout the world and is a proven mooring system with concrete pontoons ensuring that even our largest 115 ft yachts will not be affected by water movement. The docks themselves are cool underfoot all year round, unlike a wooden platform.”
Ms Mairead Browne, Sales and Marketing Manager, Dubai Marina explained: “Demand from our members for berthing spaces for larger yachts has been on the rise, and the Yacht Club Marina will meet this need.”
Overlooking the new showpiece marina, the Dubai Marina Yacht Club has been meticulously designed by award-winning architects Holfords with Hirsch Bedner Associates Design Consultants. It will be a show-stopping structure in the dynamic architectural atmosphere of Dubai Marina. With the side terrace turf laid out, the scaffolding removed and the final interior fit-out underway, the clubhouse already wears a distinct identity from that of the surrounding residential towers.
Set on two levels, with a further two levels of underground parking for members and their guests, the Dubai Marina Yacht Club mixes fine dining and a licensed beverage outlet on the terrace level overlooking the marina with boutique marine shops, express café and nautical lifestyle store opening to Dubai Marina’s stunning Marina Walk.
Areas only accessible to members include a billiard and cigar lounge, library and chartroom and private bar and terrace, allowing for discreet and private entertainment at all times of day. Corporate and business users can take advantage of the state-of-the-art conference facilities, including an open reception area to suit launch parties or catered private functions.
Dubai Marina Yacht Club also offers its members an exclusive discount of up to 50 per cent off the charter of its very own 43 ft American-built Carver motor yacht, one of the exclusive features of the Club. “We introduced the charter yacht service in response to requests from our members, who wanted to take out family, friends or colleagues on the water without the constraints of yacht ownership,” said Ms Browne.
The Club offers weekly boat cleaning services as well as guides owners to their berths and offers advice on all aspects of yacht ownership. “The service standards offered to yacht owners set us apart. From our dock staff who spend all their time on the water helping yachts or fishing in their spare time, to the international and local knowledge on systems, cultures and cruising grounds in our office, we are all experienced boat owners who understand the challenges and rewards of owning a yacht in the Middle East,” said Mr Sorrell.
Construction of two more Marinas has been commissioned for 2008, which will add a further 150 berths over the next ten months. Dubai Marina will thus eventually host up to 600 yachts of sizes from 20 to 120 ft.
For more details on membership and general facilities, log on to www.dubaimarinayachtclub.com.
