Arada unveils final masterplan of Aljada Central Hub
Spread over 25 football fields, complex will include an extreme sports centre, a cinema, adventure golf, retail and more
Arada has revealed the final masterplan of the Central Hub, located within the boundaries of the Aljada megaproject. The Sharjah-based developer says that the complex is a focal point for the development and expects the first phase to be complete by the end of Q1 2019.
Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, the Central Hub is billed as a ‘bold new leisure and entertainment destination for the UAE’. Spread over 1.9m sqft, the car-free zone will feature green space and water features, and is designed to be walkable, even during the summer months. According to Arada, there will be a total of 732,000sqft of green space in the Central Hub, including a large landscaped community park that covers a quarter of the complex.
Work on the first phase of the Central Hub, which includes an Arada sales centre, an outdoor cinema space, a food truck village, skate park and other family-friendly facilities, has already begun.
“Our plan has always been to build extraordinary, engaging and life-changing communities. That is reflected in the bold final design of the Central Hub, which will soon be a new focal point not just for Aljada, but for the whole of Sharjah and the rest of the UAE as well. We are working on putting together some incredible new partnerships for the Central Hub, and we will be announcing these in the coming months,” said HE Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, chairman of Arada.
Commenting on the project’s sustainable elements, Arada said that the natural ecosystem is irrigated by recovered and recycled water. The complex’s tensile canopies are also said to sustain a microclimate at ground level for gardens featuring plants native to the region, while the Central Hub’s lighting requirements will be provided by smart solar power.
HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal, vice Chairman of Arada, added: “Sustainability is absolutely central to Arada’s vision, and that has been reflected in the Central Hub’s final design. We are working hard to protect and encourage local native species, as well as making the most of our natural environment. We’re also doing this in a way that is cost-efficient and leaves as small an impact on the planet as possible.”
Johannes Schafelner – Project Director, Zaha Hadid Architects, commented: ‘Aljada’s Central Hub stands as an example of how conscious design can work with the environment to create a truly unique and inspirational focus for its community. The Central Hub is a defining project for Sharjah and the UAE, and we are proud to work closely with Arada to bring this development to life.”
The second and third phases of the Central Hub are scheduled to be completed in 2020 and 2022, respectively.
