Amaala, an ultra-luxury development located along the northwestern coastline of Saudi Arabia, has named Denniston’s French-Belgian architect, Jean-Michel Gathy, as Masterplanner for The Island.

Set within the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Nature Reserve and spread across three unique communities – The Island, Triple Bay and Coastal Development – Amaala will focus on curating transformative guest experiences inspired by arts, wellness and the purity of the Red Sea. The 3,800km2 year-round destination will comprise 2,500 keys and more than 800 residential villas, apartments and estate homes, together with 200 luxury retail establishments, fine-dining, wellness and recreational areas.

Home to an exclusive art community and an Arabic botanical garden filled with sculptural pieces, The Island will house masterpieces across four key design elements: a contemporary art museum and academy, a Riviera-lifestyle artists’ colony, immersive artistic experiences, and art and sculpture co-creation opportunities.

“The Island development will be an immersive and interactive art-inspired jewel. Its lifestyle components, its landscaping, the museums and art installations, together with the art community, will transform this island into the ‘Diamond of the Red Sea’,” says Gathy, Principal Designer of Denniston.

“It will feature many different venues for permanent installations or temporary exhibitions and artistic performances. The graphic layout of its spine will be distinctive from the air and will be recognised internationally as an iconic landmark.

“The project features all elements programmed and reflects the areas, numbers and facilities. This is truly unique, nothing like it has ever been planned before.”

Nicholas Naples, Chief Executive Officer of Amaala, adds: “Amaala carves a unique positioning within the global hospitality portfolio, catering to select travellers looking for innovative experiential escapes. Our ambition is to create personalised experiences, catering to the individual needs of each guest.

“Entrenched in the philosophies of art, wellness and inspired by the purity of the Red Sea, we are excited to be working alongside Jean-Michel Gathy and Denniston to bring to life our vision for The Island. It is here where our guests will embark on a transformational journey and feed the soul through arts and cultural offerings, with opportunities for philanthropic art co-creation.”

Fully aligned with Saudi Arabia’s ambitions for the future, the development of Amaala is being rolled out across three key phases, with completion aimed for Q1 of 2022.

CREDITS
Words: Ben Thomas
Photography: Courtesy of Amaala
amaala Denniston hospitality Hotel hotel design Jean-Michel Gathy Middle East Saudi Arabia