Classy clubhouse for Saadiyat Beach
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Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), the Abu Dhabi-based master developer of Saadiyat Island and its Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, has unveiled plans for a Frank Gehry-designed clubhouse – the world-renowned architect’s first golf-related project.
As the centrepiece for the stunning Gary Player-designed Saadiyat Beach Golf Course – the Arabian Gulf’s first and only beachfront course – the 18,000 sqm clubhouse will boast unique design statements, which incorporate Saadiyat Island’s stunning natural beauty, to create an instantaneously recognisable international landmark.
The clubhouse is scheduled to be completed in 2013.
“We wanted someone who could push design boundaries to create visual architecture that makes bold statements. Frank Gehry ticks that box emphatically.
“A truly world-class course, designed by one of the world’s most successful golfers, in the heart of one of Arabia’s most breathtaking natural settings, deserves an outstanding clubhouse that sets the benchmark globally,” said Ahmed Hussein, COO of TDIC and Deputy Director General, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority.
The Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, with its first-of-its-kind clubhouse, gives a significant boost to the United Arab Emirates capital’s credentials as a top-tier sports and cultural destination of distinction, and builds on the emirate’s growing portfolio of iconic architectural designs.
The utilisation of space was a key facet in the clubhouse’s design, and careful consideration has been given to blend indoor and outdoor settings. Harnessing Saadiyat Island’s striking landscapes, Gehry has opted to emphasise large terraces with sweeping glass canopies to maximise visitor viewing opportunities of the surrounding landscape.
The clubhouse, which overlooks the scenic Arabian coastline, will include a boutique hotel with 26 deluxe rooms, two restaurants, a spa and a pro-shop.
“Frank Gehry is one of the living, iconic architects of our time and to have an instantly recognisable structure, in the Guggenheim-style, as a clubhouse will be a world first.
“There is no doubt Abu Dhabi has arrived as a major force on the international golfing scene and will continue to be a future magnet for the sport’s leading players and avid fan base globally,” said Gary Player, who has 18 Majors to his name.
