Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC), a master developer of major cultural, residential and tourism destinations in Abu Dhabi, has broken ground on the first of its hospitality and residential offerings on Saadiyat Island, the natural island just offshore the UAE capital city.

"These groundbreakings represent a major milestone in the progression of this distinctive destination," said Lee Tabler, CEO, TDIC. "We are on track with our construction schedule which will see the St. Regis open in early 2010 and the first phase of Saadiyat Beach villas being handed over to owners towards the end of that year." Models of the St. Regis Hotel ’&’ Residences Saadiyat Island, the first St. Regis to be announced in the UAE, and the Saadiyat Beach Residences community, which comprises the villas, are currently on show at the Cityscape Dubai development exhibition at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

The St Regis is one of a number of five-star resorts being built along nine kilometres of pristine shoreline in the Saadiyat Beach district. The development, designed with an intriguing mix of Arabian and Baroque influences, will flank the 72-par, championship Saadiyat Beach Golf Course, designed by golfing legend Gary Player, which is expected to open in the last quarter of 2009.

The nine-storey luxury beach resort will have 380 luxurious guest rooms and suites, all with balconies and Gulf views. The resort has a wellness centre and spa, sports facilities, including a health and racquets club, serviced apartments, shops, a range of restaurants, and a complete range of meeting room. Adjoining the hotel will be a separate St. Regis - branded residence with 280 one, two and three bedroom apartments. The resort has been designed by Australia’s Woods Bagot.

"This resort is strongly reminiscent of the grandiose architecture which symbolised the renaissance of Southern Italy," said Tabler. "The design is, however, contemporised through subtle touches of modernistic flair." Saadiyat Beach will be just a ten minutes’ stroll from Saadiyat Island’s Cultural District, which will boast the world’s largest single concentration of premier cultural institutions, including the Sheikh Zayed National Museum, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Museum and the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Dubai’s Arabtec Construction LLC is undertaking construction of the villas which are a key element of phase one of the exclusive Saadiyat Beach Residences community. A range of three to eight bedroom villas in Mediterranean, Arabian or Contemporary architectural styles, some featuring a private gym, elevator, swimming pool and movie theatre, have been designed by America’s multi-award-winning JZMK Partners.

About Saadiyat Island Saadiyat Island is a natural island alongside Abu Dhabi’s coast, celebrating the renaissance of Arabian living; and a place where iconic landmarks and azure Arabian waters create a thoughtful harmony of culture, leisure and business in a vibrant community.

It covers 27 square kilometres, and will be completed in phases up until 2018. Over 160,000 people are expected to live on the island upon completion.

The island is made up of seven districts: Saadiyat Cultural District, Saadiyat Marina, Saadiyat Beach, Saadiyat Promenade, Saadiyat Lagoons, Saadiyat Reserve and Saadiyat Retreat.

Saadiyat Island will host premium brands in hospitality, education and leisure, combined with the world’s largest concentration of cultural institutions, all within easy reach. There are plans for luxury hotels, over three million square metres of office space, marinas with berths for 1,000 boats, two championship golf courses, civic and leisure facilities, sea-view apartments and elite villas.

Saadiyat Island is being developed by Tourism Development ’&’ Investment Company (TDIC), an independent company of which Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) is the sole shareholder.

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