The Abu Dhabi Skyline: From the skyscrapers to the Corniche

While my car darts through the Capital Centre neighbourhood in Abu Dhabi city, I come by an architectural marvel that challenges physics. The Capital Gate Building is a 35-storey record-breaking structure that leans 18 degree to the west. It is more than four times the current incline of the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy. Apart from the Hyatt Hotel, the building houses several offices.

I also wheel past Al Bateen, an upscale neighbourhood where the current residential palace of the ruler of Abu Dhabi is located. Like the citizens, the royals, though extremely active on social fronts, are exceptionally private people. My guide informs me that one out of every three citizens in Abu Dhabi ends up knowing someone from the royal family. The citizens look upon the members of the royal family as their own.

She also adds that in UAE discussing the private life of the royals is considered inappropriate and needless by the citizens. I take this latest information with a pinch of salt, as I know the ancestors of the locals here thrived on all kind of news. They sometimes covered enormous distances just to hear news from random people they met on the journey.

The word Etihad, which means ‘united’, is abundantly used in UAE. Abu Dhabi’s airline is not the only one named Etihad. In Abu Dhabi city, there are also the Etihad Towers and an Etihad Square. Georgette, my guide, tells me that we are somewhere near the towers. I am informed that Hotel Jumeirah in the Etihad Towers runs Observation Deck at 300 on the 74^th floor, currently the highest point in the city where visitors can go. It is an observation deck-cum-snacks bar, the entry to which, costs AED 95 for non-guests of Hotel Jumeirah. The price is inclusive of a food voucher worth AED 55.

“Look, those are the Pineapple buildings,” exclaims Georgette. I see two tall buildings with a pineapple like outer meshwork of panels. Their barrel-like inner bodies are reflective. They look too futuristic, too sci-fi, to be real. They are the Al-Bahar Towers commonly known among the expat locals as the ‘pineapple buildings’. The towers host various government offices and is not open to the public.

The intricate network of panels are sun-sensitive. Intensity of the sunlight determines their opening and closing times. Their main purpose is to keep the building cooler by providing shade. The design is inspired from the lattice windows known here as mashrabiyas, a popular feature of Islamic architecture. Some of these panels have photovoltaic cells to trap the solar energy, which is then used to power the building.

I come across some interesting claims while reading more on this building. Many claim that the Al-Bahar Towers are an example of sustainable design, though there are debates pointing out that constructing a glass building in a desert city is not a logical or sustainable move in the first place. Glass walls increase indoor temperatures thus demanding more consumption of energy to cool it down. So there is no point in first building glass walls and then incorporating another light sensitive layer just to keep temperatures less. The solar energy trapped by the towers only caters to around just 5% of its total power requirements.

Corniche, Abu Dhabi : Best place in the city to spend idle evenings

I finally get-off the car and walk towards the promenade, the part of the city hugged by the warm waters of the Persian Gulf. Here it is known as the Corniche. The road running along it is street number 1 or the Corniche Street. All roads in Abu Dhabi have an Arabic name and a number. The Corniche beach is free and open to the public.

Like Dubai and unlike Sharjah, foreign women in Abu Dhabi are mostly free to wear whatever suits them. I am surprised to learn that at designated (well marked by signboards) areas on the beach, even bikinis and bathing suits are legally allowed. There are paid services for sun lounges and umbrellas.

The sky is streaked red. The Sun has dipped into the abyss of the horizon. The Muezzin’s call to break the Ramadan fast has faded but the small gatherings of Muslim men are yet to split up. They have come out of their offices, shops, halted their drive, paused every work to gather and have food and water.

In the gardens and parks along the Corniche Road, families and kids are having a good time. As I find my way to the Corniche promenade, the cool evening breeze brushes off the heat. In the landscaped gardens and pavement, I meet casual strollers and joggers every now and then. Unlike daytime, the roads are now coming to life. Ramadan decorations have lit up the street.

I cross the Corniche Road, reach the promenade and find myself a photogenic spot. Tring tring, kids ring the bells of their bicycles. I know bicycling is a favourite activity here but I don’t see anyone renting the bicycles to tourists, probably they are away for the Ramadan season and the kids are locals who own their bicycles. The seats in the Corniche are well shaded by date palm trees and are often captured by entities who fearlessly ignore human presence. Yes, I am talking about cats! They saunter, relax, and give humans a cold look on being disturbed.

An artificial island dedicated to protect Abu Dhabi

A speedboat cuts through the water of the gulf; beyond it I see land with sand dunes—Al-Lulu Island—an artificial breakwater to protect Abu Dhabi from potential rough waves and storms. Clumped in the folds of history are controversies and architectural hubris that marred the transformation of this man-made island into an entertainment capital. Georgette has informed me that the reddish sand of Lulu have been brought from the Liwa desert, 230 kilometres away from Abu Dhabi city. The island now lies semi-abandoned. However, yet again I fail to understand the logic of investing more than the bare-essentials required on an artificial breakwater island!

As darkness takes over, the shoreline extending in an arc twinkles with lights. I leave the Corniche and board the car. It’s time to go souvenir hunting.

To watch my Abu Dhabi video on Youtube, please click here.

Have you ever been awed by the skyscrapers of Abu Dhabi (even without being there and just by watching photos and videos)? Have you been to the Corniche? Is it your favourite spot to connect with nature? Comment below and let’s talk!

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Disclaimer: Tania was hosted by Abu Dhabi Tourism Board. All thoughts and opinions expressed in the post are of her own.

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