The Bridges, Al Reem Island

The Bridges is a residential development strategically located in Abu Shams, Al Reem Island. Developed by Aldar Properties PJSC, Al Reem Island is a mixed-use community made up of residential, commercial and recreational spaces. One of the most rapidly developing neighbourhoods in Abu Dhabi, the island ranked first on Bayut’s Abu Dhabi Annual Market Report 2019 as the most popular area to rent or buy apartments.

Amongst the numerous developments in Al Reem Island, The Bridges is a development of six towers with 26 floors each. Launch of the project took place in 2017 while handover commenced in Q4 2020. Construction Group Contracting House served as the contractor for the project. Each of the towers in The Bridges offers 212 apartments, which consist of studio, 1, 2 and 3-bedroom units. A 2.4km private canal runs through the development, separating the six towers with three on each side.

The Bridges offers luxury amenities such as outdoor swimming pools, separate male and female gyms, outdoor play areas for children and a private courtyard with a café, pop-up shops, outdoor fitness equipment and loungers. Next to The Bridges is an urban park with brimming attractions such as open-air restaurants, a beach, an adventure trail and much more.

• Situated in Abu Shams, Al Reem Island
• Residential development of six towers
• Developed by Aldar Properties
• Launched in 2017
• 26 floors and basement in each tower
• 1,272 residential units in total
• Offers studio to 3-bedroom apartments
• Swimming pools and gyms
• Outdoor play areas for children
• Parks and a private canal with steps
• Café, pop-up shops, private courtyard
• Close to Galleria Mall and Boutik Mall

Each residential receives one allotted parking in The Bridges. There is underground parking underneath each tower dedicated to parking. Guest parking is also available.

There are multiple high-speed elevators in The Bridges for accessing all floors with ease.

The Bridges is a centrally-air conditioned development. Tabreed supplies The Bridges with district cooling services while ADDC facilitates the building with electricity and water services. Security and maintenance staff is present at all times to provide round-the-clock services.

There are plenty of event spaces in development for hosting BBQ events and all kinds of parties.

There are swimming pools along with separate men and women’s gyms in The Bridges. Other than that, there is outdoor fitness equipment lined by the canal so residents can exercise in the open air as well. The development contains parks where residents can jog, cycle or stroll as they please.

There are plenty of outdoor play areas for children equipped with numerous swings. Adults can spend time relaxing on the private sun loungers beside the swimming pool or in the cafe as well. A First Aid Medical Centre is available for quick first aid treatment.

There is a canal separating the six towers from the middle with stairs and parks surrounding it. The private courtyard also features pop-up shops. An urban park, spanning 99,409 sq. m. is located adjacent to the development featuring plenty of attractions.

The Bridges provides round-the-clock guest and concierge services. Guests and visitors can wait for their host in the high-end lobby.

The Bridges is a pet-friendly development. You can take your pets around the development premises and keep them in the apartment as you wish.

• CCTV cameras assist in round-the-clock vigilance of the building premises.
• Fire extinguishers and fire alarms are present in the apartments as well as corridors.

Apartments in The Bridges come with different floor plans.

• Studio apartments consist of one unit type
• 1-bedroom apartments consist of two unit types
• 2-bedroom apartments consist of three unit types
• 3-bedroom apartments consist of two unit types

Bayut has worked on developing simple 2D and 3D floor plans for miscellaneous buildings. You can check out floor plans for The Bridges to understand the unit types in detail.

Apartment types in The Bridges include studios, 1, 2 and 3-bedroom furnished as well as unfurnished units. Each apartment comes with a balcony that provides aesthetic sea views and views of the community. Broadband and satellite/cable connection along with intercom facility is configured in all apartments.

Kitchens are integrated with cooking range, refrigerators, cooking hoods as well cabinets for storage. Built-in wardrobes are there in all bedrooms. Bathrooms with showers are safeguarded by glass enclosures. Balconies have glass balustrades while all apartments have floor-to-ceiling double-glazed windows.

Studio apartments in The Bridges occupy an average floor area of 409 sq. ft. They come with a living and sleeping area, open kitchen, bathroom and balcony. The kitchen is immediately located at the entrance. There are built-in wardrobes beside the bathroom.

1-bedroom apartments in The Bridges occupy floor area ranging between 678 sq. ft. and 688 sq. ft. They come with a living and dining area, open kitchen, bedroom, separate bathroom, laundry area and balcony. The balcony opens from the bedroom. The laundry area is right beside the bathroom.

2-bedroom apartments in The Bridges occupy floor area ranging between 1033 sq. ft. and 1112 sq. ft. They come with a living and dining area, open kitchen, master bedroom, a regular sized bedroom, bathroom, laundry area and a balcony or two.

The master bedroom consists of an attached bath and walk-in closet. In Type A and Type C units, the balcony opens from the regular-sized bedroom. In Type B units, there are two balconies, which open from both bedrooms.

3-bedroom apartments in The Bridges occupy floor area ranging between 1378 sq. ft. and 1475 sq. ft. They come with a living and dining area, master bedroom, two regular-sized bedrooms, maid’s room with attached bath, open kitchen, store and balcony.

The master bedroom consists of a bathroom and dressing room. There is an attached bathroom and balcony in one of the bedrooms. In Type A units, the kitchen is made in one wall style with a breakfast bar as well. Type B units have a laundry area as well.

Means of transportation near The Bridges are limited since the nearest bus station is also accessible only by car. Taxis, which form an essential part of the public transportation in Abu Dhabi, are available within the community but not within walking distance. It is better to have your own medium of conveyance for commuting.

Bus stations near The Bridges include Icad Bus Station and Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station. Both of these are reachable within 15 minutes by car.

Within a short drive, you can find many restaurants near The Bridges and enjoy different varieties of cuisines.

• Urban Portion – Damac Oceanscape
• Pizza Express – The Arc Tower
• First Clique – Reem Village
• Bshawarma – Marina Square

Urban Portion is the nearest at a 4-minute drive and it serves healthy food. Pizza Express and First Clique are 7 minutes away. First Clique is a food truck that serves delicious coffee along with food from contemporary and continental cuisines. Bshawarma is 10 minutes away and is one of the best restaurants in The Bridges. It offers Lebanese, Arabian, Middle Eastern and Syrian cuisines along with different varieties of burgers.

Furthermore, at a drive of 14 minutes you can find more restaurants such as:

• Special Lomi Restaurant – Tourist Club Area (Al Zahiyah)
• Jadoon Restaurant – Tourist Club Area (Al Zahiyah)
• Phoenician – Tourist Club Area (Al Zahiyah)
• Roberto’s – Rosewood Hotel, Al Maryah Island
• Nusr – Et Steakhouse – The Galleria

Special Lomi restaurant is a Filipino restaurant. Jadoon restaurant offers Arabian and Middle Eastern food. You can visit Phoenician for Lebanese food and Roberto’s for Italian food. For quality steak, you can drive to Nusr – Et Steakhouse.

Numerous fine dining restaurants near The Bridges are also located in proximity.

• Finz Restaurant – Beach Rotana
• Rodeo Grill – Beach Rotana
• Zuma – The Galleria Mall, Al Maryah Island
• LPM – The Galleria Mall, Al Maryah Island
• Amalfi – Le Royal Meridien

Finz Restaurant is the nearest fine dining option at an 8-minute drive and it offers seafood. Rodeo Grill, Zuma and LM are reachable within 13 minutes. Rodeo Grill specialises in steak while Zuma is a Japanese restaurant. LPM’s menu covers French and Mediterranean choices for food. Amalfi is an Italian restaurant reachable within 20 minutes.

Cafes near The Bridges are available within a short drive.

• Beachside Café – Mangrove Place
• Tummy Yummies Resto Cafe – Omega Tower
• Coffee Architecture – Mangrove Place
• Cups and Mills – Defence Road
• Aptitude Café – Al Nahyan

Beachside Café, Tummy Yummies Resto Café and Coffee Architecture are reachable within 8 minutes by car. Cups and Mills is 13 minutes away while Aptitude Café is 17 minutes away.

For some fun time out with friends and colleagues, nightlife options near The Bridges are located in the vicinity.

• Brauhaus – Beach Rotana
• Trader Vic’s – Beach Rotana
• Glo – Rosewood Hotel
• NRG Sports Café – Le Meridien Village
• The Trap – Al Diar Dana Hotel

Brauhaus and Trader’s Vic are at a 10-minute drive. Brauhaus is a German pub, which offers German food as well. You can reach Glo, NRG Sports Café and The Trap in 13 minutes.

You can find a range of supermarkets near The Bridges for your essential grocery shopping.

• LuLu Express Fresh Market – Al Raha Mall
• Al Maya Mart – Amaya Tower 1
• Waitrose – Boutik Mall
• Grandiose Supermarket – Horizon Towers
• Carrefour Market – Hydra Avenue Towers

LuLu Express Fresh Supermarket and Al Maya Mart are at a 3-minute drive. LuLu Express runs under the multinational LuLu Group International and offers a wide range of items under a single roof. You can shop for groceries as well as clothes, electronics, stationary and other household items at LuLu markets. Al Maya Mart consists of fresh fruits, vegetables and grocery products. It runs under the Al Maya Group.

Waitrose is a renowned supermarket brand with branches all over the UAE. It is 5 minutes away and one of the best supermarkets in Al Reem Island. You can purchase grocery items, toiletries and hygiene items, floral items, pet food, outdoor patio furniture, hot meals, gift items and all kinds of beverages.

Grandiose Supermarket and Carrefour Market are 8 minutes away. Grandiose Supermarkets offer fresh fruits, vegetables, all kinds of grocery products as well as hot ready-made meals. Ghassan Aboud Group runs the Grandiose Supermarkets.

Carrefour Markets operate under the French International Group, Carrefour SA and they are some of the best supermarkets in Abu Dhabi. With plenty of branches worldwide, these supermarkets offer grocery as well as non-food items such as electronics, stationery and household appliances.

• Oceanscape – mixed-use complex
• Boardwalk Residence – residential building
• Sky Tower – residential building
• Sun Tower – residential building
• Mangrove Place – residential building
• Reem Diamond – residential building
• Beach Tower B – residential complex
• The Gate Towers – residential complex

Oceanscape and Beach Tower B are the nearest buildings at a 4-minute drive. Beach Tower B is part of the Beach Towers complex. Rest of the listed buildings are 8 minutes away. The Gate Tower, a residential complex popular for its architecture, is 6 minutes away.

For some quality leisure time, residents can find a number of things to do in Al Reem Island or they can drive to landmarks near The Bridges located at a short distance.

• Shams Boutik Mall
• Abu Dhabi Mall
• Challenge Chambers
• Mangrove National Park
• Manarat Al Saadiyat

Shams Boutik Mall is the nearest at a 6-minute drive. Interconnected to the iconic Sun & Sky Tower, this mall consists of many eateries and amenities such as a pharmacy, Waitrose supermarket, a flower boutique and plenty of retail outlets.

Abu Dhabi Mall is popular for being one of the top 10 malls in Abu Dhabi and is only 11 minutes away. There are more than 200 retail outlets in this mall, a branch of Fitness First, VOX Cinemas, Fun City and Xtreme Zone. The mall features a family-friendly environment for a fun day out.

You can reach Challenge Chambers, Mangrove National Park and Manarat Al Saadiyat in 20 minutes. Challenge Chambers is one of the most exciting escape rooms in Abu Dhabi, where you can test your creative thinking skills and mental abilities. There are two avenues where you work as a team and test yourself.

Mangrove National Park houses around 60 species of birds as well as marine mammals, fish, crabs and turtles. You can refresh yourself with the flora and fauna as well as enjoy the kayaking services.

Manarat Al Saadiyat is a museum located in Saadiyat Island. It is also known as an art destination as you can enjoy film screenings and comedy nights in the 25-seater auditorium. It also features an outdoor events terrace, three galleries and a photography studio; thus making it one of the best museums in Abu Dhabi.

Apartments in The Bridges, Al Reem Island are affordable and offer a luxurious lifestyle with all amenities at one’s doorstep. The location of the development makes it convenient for the residents to access supermarkets, malls, eateries, schools and parks.

However, points to consider before moving to The Bridges are that the area is still under construction and there is congestion on the main highways during peak hours. Both of these points make up some of the cons of living in Al Reem Island.

Nevertheless, the area will soon be developed, which means transportation means will also be accessible hence reducing the congestion during peak hours.