Arada awards $20.4mn contract to build Sharjah’s largest and most technologically advanced fitness centre
65,000sqft gym will be located in the Madar family entertainment district within the Aljada megaproject
Arada has awarded a major contract to build Sharjah’s largest and most technologically advanced fitness centre, which will be located in the Madar family entertainment district, within the Aljada megaproject.
At more than 65,000sqft, the gym will be operated by Wellfit the fast-growing fitness brand founded by Arada in 2021, a statement said. The contract, which covers the construction of all buildings within the second phase of Madar at Aljada, will be managed by BOUNCE, marking the popular Australian brand’s debut in Sharjah, alongside new public facilities to support growing visitor numbers at the destination.
Valued at USD$20.4 million, the contract was awarded to Dubai-based RAQ Contracting, which is already working elsewhere on the Aljada jobsite constructing the second Sarab garden villa community.
Construction began in May and work will take 12 months to complete, the statement added.
Ahmed Alkhoshaibi, Group CEO of Arada, said: “The award of this contract shows our determination to provide residents and visitors to Aljada with truly world-class facilities and experiences. Wellfit is rapidly establishing itself as the UAE’s premier fitness and wellness brand, and this incredible new fitness hub is in line with our mission to enable healthy and active lifestyles for everyone in both Aljada and Sharjah.”
Situated in a distinctive elliptical building and surrounded by green landscaping, Wellfit Aljada is spread over two floors. The fitness centre contains separate men’s and women’s gyms, assessment areas and fitness studios, with space allocated for Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), yoga, spinning and a special studio dedicated to children.
The space will also contain a Hungry Wolves café, as well as a sporting goods store.
Wellfit Aljada will integrate several fitness technologies and digital tools in its offering, providing users with advanced tracking activity and performance assessment, the developer said.
Launched in May 2021, Wellfit operates the UAE’s largest indoor multi-sports fitness centre, which is located at Circle Mall, Jumeirah Village Circle in Dubai, with a branch also located at Nasma Central, the lifestyle hub at Arada’s Nasma Residences community in Sharjah.
Opened in 2020 by HH Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, Madar at Aljada was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects.
The first phase of Madar contains the Aljada Discovery Centre, the Zad food truck district, a free-to-enter drive-in cinema, a children’s adventure playground, an indoor events space, an outdoor amphitheatre and the Aljada Skate Park.
As well as the Wellfit gym and BOUNCE trampoline park, the second phase of Madar contains the second and third extensions to the Aljada Skate Park, more parking and a further 460,000 square feet of parkland.
Spread over a 24 million sqft area, Aljada is Sharjah’s largest ever project and aims to be a transformational destination for the emirate. With a sales value of $6.53 billion, the development contains residential districts, as well as retail, hospitality, entertainment, sporting, educational, healthcare components and a business park, all set within a green urban master plan. In total, Aljada will contain 25,000 homes, the developer concluded.
