The Beach at JBR

It seems that Dubai has finally gotten a little slice of the Miami beach lifestyle.

When construction began mounting along the sands adjacent to The Walk - a popular boulevard of shops, restaurants and hotels - in Dubai Marina’s JBR neighbourhood, many residents in the community began rolling their eyes over plans for yet another expansive shopping mall that they feared would destroy one of the most popular public beaches in the city. But that’s no longer the case.

Following its official launch last week, the new development - simply known as The Beach - has won over critics with its fresh air concept to retail, food and entertainment. What Dubai had always lacked in terms of waterfront public spaces has been given a major makeover thanks to some truly exciting concepts. So what’s so special about The Beach?

JBrs new addition The Beach features plenty of green space, fitness attractions and an open-air cinema

Like all things Dubai does, nothing being renovated here was ever going to be low-key. The new one-kilometre stretch of development that lies between the Hilton and Sheraton hotels is a paradise for lovers of the outdoors thanks to four plazas connected by an esplanade made up of wide paths, fountains and green spaces.

The most buzzworthy new attraction that has everyone talking is the incredible open-air cinema whose high-definition big screen can be viewed from any given direction. A cordoned off section directly at front hosts bean bag chairs that make watching films under the stars an all-together unique experience residents have long been waiting for. Details about what types of films the cinema will show are not yet clear, but no matter how the system plans to run, it will no doubt be a community gathering.

There’s also a major element of fitness and well-being at The Beach. With so many troubling statistics among UAE residents, tackling weight-loss seems to have also been a key component here with free work-out machines installed throughout the esplanade. If pushing weights isn’t your scene, there’s also a soft path track along the breadth of the development that has already become a favourite for running enthusiasts. With the sounds and sights of the Arabian Gulf in full view, the track may be one of the most inviting we’ve seen yet.

But development’s focus is also about creating proper infrastructure for water lovers. Beach goers have in the past been bewildered at the lack of changing facilities on Dubai’s beaches, but a number of public buildings have now gone up housing locker rooms with showers and wash rooms - a welcome addition for anyone who has ever been forced to sneak into the Hilton to use their poolside facilities.

If you’re looking for a beach break under the sun, head over to the new JBR and discover a shade of Dubai that will no doubt surprise everyone with its laid-back atmosphere and energy.

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Sand Daze

We speak to JBR resident Sofiane Ait Ramdane about why he loves living in Dubai’s hottest beachside community

What attracted you most to living in Jumeirah Beach Residences?

Humans are naturally attracted to the sea and there are few other places in the UAE where you can enjoy it right on your doorstep. I had always promised myself that one day I would live by the water, so after checking out all of Dubai’s many different neighbourhoods, living on the beach was the clear winner. I’ve always felt that living in JBR was like living in an entirely separate bubble from the rest of the city - it’s just a very calm and relaxing place to call home. Like any popular destination, there are problems of congestion and traffic, but I’m looking forward to the launch of the Dubai Tram which will make moving around the Marina much more pleasant.

How does living here factor into a healthier lifestyle?

I was living in Luxembourg before relocating here. It was constantly rainy and cold and my energy levels were always low. Now one of my favourite things to do is wake up at sunrise and go for a run along the beach. It’s incredibly beautiful in the early morning and getting a sweat going besides the water is infinitely more refreshing than running on a treadmill. I also spend a lot of time swimming in the sea. My favourite time to hit the water is at night during the summer time - the weather might be really hot but if there’s a good breeze, the water really cools me down.

Is eating healthy difficult in a place with so many good restaurants right on your doorstep?

I love eating out and JBR really does have some fantastic alternatives if you’re looking to eat clean. There are plenty of juice bars here and I’ve always found that in an open-air environment, you tend to make better decisions when it comes to your diet. The surrounding area in Dubai Marina also has great organic stores like Markets and Platters which stocks fresh seafood and a lot of other items that you don’t find in normal chains here. They also make the best cheese I’ve tasted outside of Paris so I would recommend everyone to check it out.

Are you a member of any gym in the neighbourhood?

There’s a gym called Red Dragon that’s just near my building, and although there are a few alternatives in the area, I have always been most comfortable there because the trainers have always been helpful and everyone leaves their ego at the door. It’s located on the plaza level across from the Hilton, so if we ever want to hit the beach for a run or a high intensity group work-out, there’s no better ambience to sweat.

What do you think about the newly opened The Beach development?

When I Initially started to see all the construction taking over the area, I was taken aback. I didn’t want the beach to disappear and I certainly wasn’t in favour of a shopping complex. But now that it’s finished I can see that it’s an incredible place to hang out and enjoy the views. There’s also a soft running path now making the whole area inviting for outdoor recreational activities. - kadry@khaleejtimes.com

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CT JBR Picks

Restaurant

Saladicious Deli for the mouth watering tuna salad

Café

Tim Hortons for the onion bagels

Hang-out

The pool at the Hilton hotel

Snack

The Ice Factory for the low-fat mango gelato

Hide-away

The Plaza level at Bahar