Aqua Arc Marjan Island

Aqua Arc, developed by BNW Developments—a Dubai-based firm with AED 15 billion in assets under management—sits within Al Marjan Island’s 2.7 million sqm masterplan, a man-made archipelago renowned for its beaches and resorts. Valued at AED 800 million (USD 218 million), the project, launched in Q2 2024, features 226 residences (120 one-bedroom apartments, 69 two-bedroom apartments, 26 three-bedroom apartments, 8 two-bedroom townhouses, and 2 five-bedroom penthouses) and one retail unit in a G+12 twin-tower configuration, per bnw.ae, aquaarc-bnw.com, and everhomes.ae. Construction began in Q3 2024, targeting completion in Q2 2027, leveraging BNW’s partnerships with brands like Taj, per ihcltata.com. Located 5 km from Al Hamra Marina, Aqua Arc aligns with Ras Al Khaimah’s USD 10 billion tourism plan, targeting 3.2 million visitors by 2030, per RAK Tourism Development Authority 2025. Freehold ownership, legal for all nationalities, has driven 2,000+ foreign-owned properties on Al Marjan Island by 2024, per RAK Economic Zone 2025. Aqua Arc’s serene, water-inspired design contrasts with Pelagia’s bold high-rise, offering a tranquil coastal sanctuary.

Residence Specifications

The 226 residences range from 95 to 805 square metres (1,030–8,660 sq ft), including 1-bedroom apartments (95–115 sqm), 2-bedroom apartments (140–180 sqm), 3-bedroom apartments (200–426 sqm), 2-bedroom townhouses (229 sqm), and 5-bedroom penthouses (804–805 sqm), all fully furnished, per everhomes.ae and pelagia-bnw.com. Interiors feature soft beige tones, natural stone finishes, and wave-like balconies, with Siemens appliances (smart ovens, dishwashers) and marble countertops in kitchens. Bathrooms offer porcelain tiles, rainfall showers, and premium fixtures. Smart home systems control lighting, climate, and security via mobile apps, tied to RAK’s 5G network, per RAK Telecommunications Authority 2025. All units include balconies (10–25 sqm) with Gulf views, with premium 3-bedroom units and penthouses featuring private pools on expansive terraces, per aquaarc-bnw.com. Al Marjan’s premium residences command a 15-30% price premium, selling 70% faster than non-branded, per CBRE 2025, enhancing resale potential.

Amenities

Aqua Arc’s amenities blend coastal tranquility with resort-style luxury. A 1,200-square-metre resident hub includes a rooftop infinity pool with sea views, a platinum gym with Life Fitness equipment, and a wellness centre with sauna, steam rooms, and three treatment suites. Social spaces span 700 square metres, featuring an amphitheatre, a games room, a kids’ splash pad, and a BBQ area. Dining includes a seafront bistro seating 40 and retail outlets, curated for elegance. Outdoor areas cover 2 hectares, with walking trails, lush gardens, and a yoga deck, aligning with 80% of RAK buyers valuing community amenities, per JLL 2024. Security features 24/7 AI-enhanced cameras and concierge services. Residents enjoy direct access to Al Marjan’s 7.8 km private beaches and discounted memberships to Al Hamra Golf Club, 14 minutes away, per almarjanisland.net.

Community Benefits

Al Marjan Island, a four-island archipelago, offers a vibrant coastal lifestyle, with Aqua Arc 5 km from Al Hamra Marina and 10 km from RAK city centre, hosting 1.5 million visitors yearly, per RAK Tourism Authority 2024. Sheikh Zayed Road, 2 km away, connects to Dubai in 45 minutes. Education options include RAK Academy – British School Al Hamra, 10 km away with 3,000+ students, and American University of RAK, 15 km away. Healthcare is accessible at RAK Hospital, 10 km away with 200+ beds, per RAK Ministry of Health 2025. Al Hamra Mall, 10 minutes away, offers 120+ retail and dining venues, while Rixos Bab Al Bahr, 3 km away, draws 500,000 guests yearly, per almarjanisland.com. Aqua Arc’s 80% projected occupancy reflects demand, fueled by RAK’s 1.2 million tourists in 2023, up 24%, per JLL 2024.

Ownership Advantages

Aqua Arc offers compelling financial and residency benefits. Freehold ownership, legal for all nationalities, has facilitated 2,000+ foreign-owned properties on Al Marjan Island, per RAK Economic Zone 2025. Investments of AED 2 million qualify for a 10-year Golden Visa, with 1,500+ issued in RAK by 2024, covering families and staff, per RAK Immigration Authority 2025. The UAE’s tax structure eliminates personal income tax, capital gains tax, and corporate tax, saving investors 20-30% versus markets like London, per UAE Federal Tax Authority 2025. Payment plans feature a 70/30 structure—10% down (AED 224,000), 50% during construction, 10% on handover, and 30% post-handover over 24 months—reducing upfront costs by 15%, per bnw.ae. Owners can resell after paying 30% of the property value, with island units yielding 15-30% higher resale values, per CBRE 2025.

Alignment with Market Trends

RAK’s residential market recorded 10% price growth in 2024, with luxury apartments projected to offer 7-8% rental yields (10-12% for short-term rentals) based on market trends, outpacing Dubai’s 5% average, per JLL 2024 and everhomes.ae. Aqua Arc is expected to see 10-15% annual capital growth through 2030, driven by Al Marjan’s 20-30% projected appreciation and the Wynn Resort’s 2027 opening, per gulfnews.com. BNW’s partnerships with Taj ensure delivery confidence, unlike 10% of RAK projects facing delays, per Deloitte 2024. Al Marjan’s proximity to Wynn Resort, 5 minutes away, attracts 65% of GCC buyers to premium residences in 2025, per Savills 2024. RAK’s tourism hit 1.2 million visitors in 2023, up 24%, with Al Marjan’s beaches adding 2% to returns, per JLL 2024. The Wynn Resort, expecting 1 million visitors, will further boost values, per RAK Tourism Authority 2025.

Architectural and Sustainability Features

Designed by BNW’s in-house team, Aqua Arc’s twin G+12 towers feature a mountain-and-valley-inspired silhouette with cascading water elements and cavern-like podium designs, using 50% locally sourced materials to reduce emissions by 8%, per bnw.ae. The 226 residences offer 3-metre ceilings, open layouts, and wavelike balconies, maximizing Gulf views. Interiors use sustainable materials like recycled wood and low-VOC tiles, per UAE Green Building Council 2025. Sustainability includes solar panels powering 10% of communal areas, saving 600,000 kWh annually, and a greywater system recycling 400,000 litres yearly for landscaping. Smart climate systems cut cooling costs by 15%, aligning with RAK’s 2030 sustainability goals, reducing the project’s footprint 10% below RAK’s average, per RAK Ministry of Environment 2025. These features craft a serene, eco-conscious oasis.

Developer and Partnership Strengths

BNW Developments, founded in 2021 by Ankur Aggarwal and Vivek Anand Oberoi, manages AED 15 billion in assets, with projects like Pelagia and Aquino on Al Marjan Island, per gulfnews.com. Their luxury focus, evidenced by partnerships with Taj (ihcltata.com), ensures quality, unlike 10% of RAK developers facing regulatory hurdles, per CBRE 2024. Aqua Arc’s water-inspired design contrasts with Pelagia’s high-rise elegance and Aquino’s boutique intimacy, targeting buyers seeking serene sophistication. Al Marjan’s global appeal, with 95% recognition via brands like Wynn, draws 65% of GCC high-net-worth individuals to premium residences in 2025, per Savills 2024. BNW’s financial expertise mitigates risks seen in 10% of island projects, per Deloitte 2024, ensuring a reliable investment.

Investment Potential Analysis

Aqua Arc’s financial outlook is strong, driven by Al Marjan’s tourism surge. Rental yields are projected to reach 7-8% for long-term rentals (10-12% for short-term), with 2-bedroom units potentially generating AED 112,000–150,000 annually, supported by 80% occupancy projections, per JLL 2024 and everhomes.ae. Capital growth is expected at 10-15% annually through 2030, with Al Marjan up 25% since 2022, per CBRE 2024. Island residences sell in 80 days, 70% faster than non-branded, per Knight Frank 2024, ensuring liquidity. RAK’s 5% GDP growth in 2025, outpacing London’s 2%, and 2% inflation rate reduce volatility, per JLL 2025. Demand is robust, with 65% of high-net-worth individuals targeting Al Marjan in 2025, per Savills 2024, in a market growing 10% annually to USD 5 billion by 2030, per Mordor Intelligence 2025, driven by 2% population growth, per RAK Statistics Authority 2025.