AED700m investment in Ferrari World to bring visitors to Abu Dhabi
Yas Island’s Ferrari World is receiving investment of AED700m (US$190.6m, €178m, £153m) for developments of new rides and experiences, including its landmark “Turbo Track”, which will snake out from the heart of the iconic structure through its roof.
Yas Island owner Miral is making the investment as it targets more visitors for Abu Dhabi in the midst of a wider push for overseas tourism.
Turbo Track – which will reach speeds of 102kmph (63.3mph) and climb 62m (203.4ft) will open in March – with recently-released images showing the ride climbing up out from the middle of the Ferrari World building, entering the Yas Island skyline.
In addition to Turbo Track, a Ferrari car simulator will be added to the park, with a total of four new rides to be added by the end of this year and a further four in 2018, bringing the total up to 43.
In October Yas Island announced plans for a rebranding, with a new business strategy and brand identity to establish the development as “the world’s ultimate leisure destination.”
Yas Island’s development first started in 2006, initiated by Abu Dhabi-based Aldar Properties, with the aim of turning the island into a multi-purpose leisure, shopping and entertainment centre.
The project recently broke ground on a US$1bn (€919m, £820m) Warner Bros theme park – the latest in a series of major developments to be operated by Farah Leisure, which include the already established Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld.
In December SeaWorld announced plans to open its first orca-free theme park by 2022, with the location also set for Yas Island.
Ferrari World theme park visitor attraction Yas Island Turbo Track MiralFerrari Land entering testing phase ahead of April launch
Former Manchester United MD Mike Farnan to oversee Ferrari's China expansion
PortAventura's Ferrari Land sets official opening date
Ferrari Land hits halfway point as Portaventura gears up for 2017 opening
Ferrari global theme park expansion continues with sites in China and North America
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Aman sister brand Janu launching in Tokyo in 2024 with design by Denniston's Jean-Michel Gathy
From Nobu Restaurants and Ian Schrager’s latest hotel to Imagination Playgrounds and the set design for The Rocky Horror Show, US architect and designer David Rockwell always keeps it fresh. He tells us the secrets of his creativity
How Portugal’s biggest brewer enlisted the help of one of the country’s best known architects to turn two historic nature parks into thermal spa and nature destinations