Aqua Arc

A mountain profile built on an artificial island, over twelve floors

Aqua Arc comprises two basement parking levels, a ground floor, twelve residential levels and a rooftop. BNW Developments is building the project on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, with handover scheduled for 30 September 2027. The architect points to an unusual reference for a seafront building: Jebel Jais, the highest peak in the UAE, about an hour's drive inland. That inspiration explains the two connected blocks, which form a kind of central valley, and the podium roof punctured with openings. Units range from studios to three-bedroom apartments. All properties are sold freehold, as is standard across the island.

Two blocks, a valley and a perforated podium

The masterplan relies on two adjoining buildings rather than a single tower. The gap between them forms the central garden, which the brochure describes as a valley. Above the podium, the roofline is meant to evoke caves: openings let water cascade through and create space for outdoor activities. The balconies follow a wavy line, meant to echo the swell of the Gulf. Each block has its own double-height lobby opening onto the landscaped grounds, and the top-floor penthouses are marketed with 360-degree views.

Studios: the balcony takes up a quarter of the floor area

The released floor plans cover two studio types, and the numbers are worth a close look. Type 1 offers around 429 square feet indoors (close to 40 sqm), plus between 114 and 149 square feet of balcony, for a total of 543 to 578 square feet. The main room measures 3.8 by 7.2 meters, and the balcony reaches 3.3 by 4 meters in some units. Type 2 goes up to 505 square feet indoors (about 47 sqm) for a total of 638 to 650 square feet. In both cases, the outdoor area accounts for 21 to 26 percent of the sold floor area, a high ratio buyers should factor in when comparing price per square foot.

Private pools reserved for three-bedroom units only

The developer limits private pools to a select range of three-bedroom apartments, marketed as premium units. These pools sit on wide terraces facing the sea. The other unit types (one and two bedrooms) share a common base standard: a master bedroom with en-suite bathroom and walk-in closet. This split effectively creates two separate markets within the same building. On one side, compact units suited to short-term rentals; on the other, a scarcer product aimed at families looking for a second home.

Spa, splash pad and amphitheater on the podium

The amenities list is fairly standard for the island, but three features stand out. A residents-only spa comes with a hammam and sauna, alongside an indoor gym the brochure calls the Platinum Gym. For children, a splash pad complements the standard playground. A small open-air amphitheater, barbecue areas and walking trails round out the common areas. There's also an infinity pool, a rooftop pool and direct beach access.

Five minutes from Wynn, an hour from DXB

The Wynn casino under construction, Al Hamra Mall and Ras Al Khaimah International Airport are all about five minutes away. GEMS Westminster School is twenty minutes out, a relevant detail for expat families. Dubai International (DXB) is listed at an hour's drive and Al Maktoum (DWC) at an hour and a half. The brochure's map also marks Saudi German Hospital, Al Hamra Golf Club and a string of hotels already operating on the island: Rixos Bab Al Bahr, Mövenpick, DoubleTree by Hilton and Radisson.

An accountant and a Bollywood actor at the helm

BNW Developments was founded by Ankur Aggarwal, a chartered accountant by training. The company claims over AED 15 billion in assets under management, split between Ras Al Khaimah and Dubai. Its co-founder and CEO is Vivek Anand Oberoi, a well-known Indian film actor with 47 films to his name and an Emmy nomination for the series Inside Edge. That profile gives the developer strong visibility with Indian buyers, a significant segment of the UAE property market. For investors, the track record on delivery is still the main thing to check, since the brand is young compared with Emaar or Aldar, both of which also operate on the island.