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Intended to accommodate a wide variety of sport and entertainment events, designs for the new Yas Arena, Abu Dhabi’s first multi-purpose indoor venue, have been revealed.

The proposed arena is designed to host a variety of events, including community gatherings, concerts, performances, sporting events, and meetings and conventions. Premium spaces include a VIP lounge that can be transformed into a grand ballroom for events, hospitality boxes and unique terrace bars for receptions and parties.

The design, by leading international sport and entertainment design firm HOK, will be able to expand from a 500-seat theatre into an 18,000-capacity venue.

HOK is part of the WSP-led team responsible for delivering the design of Yas Arena, with support from Pascall+Watson. The team was engaged by Miral Asset Management, the entity responsible for the development of the broad southern part of Yas Island. In addition to the architectural design of Yas Arena, HOK also designed the adjacent arena retail and dining destination along the boardwalk, forming a mixed-use anchor on the east end of Yas Bay.

Commenting on the design, HOK Sports, Recreation and Entertainment practice Director John Rhodes stated “our goal is to create an exceptional entertainment experience for fans and spectators

“Yas Arena will be the centrepiece of the development and serve as a destination on Yas Island.

“Our team knew the building needed to be smart, adaptable and technologically-advanced in order to efficiently transform for the wide variety of events the client wished to host.

“This transformability will make Yas Arena one of the most sophisticated arenas in the world.”

Jonathan Brown, development director of Miral Asset Management, the entity responsible for the development of the broad southern part of Yas Island, added “the development of the UAE’s first 18,000 capacity-arena will place Yas Island among the leaders for performance and events venues.

“We’re proud to set a new benchmark in the industry as we provide visitors with even bigger and better events to enjoy - all of which will perfectly showcase Yas Island’s excellence and energy.”

Yas Island is a multi purpose leisure, shopping and entertainment destination that includes a hotel cluster, the Yas Marina F1 Circuit and a growing number of theme parks.

Yas Arena will be located directly on the waterfront and serve as an anchor for the promenade that will feature more than 50 cafes and restaurants, 20 retail outlets, a recreational pier, two hotels and a beach club.

Images: The planned exterior (top) and interior (middle) for the new Yas Arena. The complex will also include an adjacent mixed-use district that creates retail, dining and a festival-like atmosphere on the boardwalk (below).

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