Arada has opened Nasma Central, a new shopping and leisure destination for the Nasma Residences community in Sharjah, in time for Eid Al Fitr. The lifestyle hub was inaugurated by HE Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Arada, who also unveiled the focal point of Nasma Central: a stunning manmade hilltop location and memorial pavilion with impressive views of the surrounding neighbourhoods.
The hilltop’s path and the beautifully designed pavilion at its summit serve as a celebration of the life of Sheikh Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, the former Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, who passed away in 2020.
The rotating journey up to the hilltop features a number of resting stops that outline key achievements from Sheikh Ahmed’s career, together describing more than 50 years of public service towards the success and prosperity of Sharjah and the wider UAE. The journey concludes with a tribute dedicated to Sheikh Ahmed that was written by his son, Sheikh Sultan, and which is inscribed in stone by the base of the pavilion.
HE Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Arada, said: “The launch of this new destination at the heart of Nasma Residences is a landmark moment for the community. I am especially proud to dedicate the Sheikh Ahmed Pavilion to one of the UAE’s longest-serving and most devoted public servants, who had a strong vision for this area of Sharjah, and whose career was defined by impressive professional and humanitarian achievements, beginning with the formation of the Union of the United Arab Emirates.”
An architectural statement in itself, the Sheikh Ahmed Pavilion provides an elevated vantage point with dual views over Nasma Residences and Masaar, Arada’s third community, as well as the landmark Sharjah Mosque. The pavilion’s minimal structure is designed by straight elements that create a dynamic surface. Sunlight filters through these elements and creates an immersive space underneath with light and shadows, providing a location that is ideal for quiet contemplation or small gatherings. Due to its dynamic form, the structure appears different from every perspective and provides local residents with an eye-catching landmark.
The 15-metre high manmade hill is the centrepiece of Nasma Central and Nasma Central Park, which together offer a range of shopping, dining, relaxing and sports facilities.
Serving both residents of Nasma Residences as well as visitors from nearby communities, the mix of outlets at Nasma Central includes a Spinneys supermarket, a Starbucks drive-thru, a Wellfit club and new café concept Origins Koffee Lab and Kitchen. Visitors to Nasma Central Park will enjoy 450,000 square feet of landscaped green space, containing a number of sporting facilities.
Featuring over 1,100 homes, Nasma Residences is a fully integrated community, including an international school, a mosque and two smaller neighbourhood parks, as well as Nasma Central and Nasma Central Park. Nasma Residences has excellent connectivity with Dubai and the rest of the Northern Emirates and is located just minutes away from Arada’s new forested community project Masaar, the upcoming Sharjah Botanical Garden, Tilal City and the new Sharjah Convention Centre.