Aquino

Five residential floors, with balconies accounting for nearly a quarter of the floor area

On an island where Emaar is building towers of 17 to 23 storeys and Rosso Bay lines up 803 units, Aquino stays small. BNW Developments has planned a basement, a ground floor, five residential floors and a rooftop. The scheme offers one to three bedroom apartments, with freehold handover set for 30 June 2027. The plans published in the brochure show four unit types, ranging from 67.79 to 117.99 sqm total, balconies included. This last point deserves attention from buyers, since outdoor space makes up between 20 and 24% of the advertised area.

A low-rise footprint against Emaar's towers

The choice of a low-rise building sets Aquino apart from most projects currently under construction on Al Marjan Island. Emaar's Address Residences rise above twenty storeys, and Gianfranco Ferre Residences counts ten. With five residential floors, Aquino will logically have fewer units per landing and a smaller owners' association. The brochure describes a facade with straight lines, floor-to-ceiling windows and "balanced" proportions, without naming an architect. Covered parking sits in the basement, freeing up the ground floor for the lobby and common areas.

Four layouts, from 68 to 118 sqm

The smallest unit is the 1BHK Type B (unit 103): 54.32 sqm of interior space, a 13.47 sqm balcony and a walk-in closet measuring 1.5 by 2.1 metres. The 1BHK Type A (unit 101) goes up to 70.05 sqm interior, with a bedroom measuring 5 by 4.3 metres, a storage room and a 20.92 sqm balcony. Among the two bedroom units, Type A (unit 102) offers 88.35 sqm interior and three bathrooms. Type B (unit 106) reaches 91.48 sqm and includes a walk-in closet for each bedroom, an unusual feature at this size. The developer's description also mentions three bedroom units, but no floor plan has been published for this format.

Corner balconies worth checking on the floor plans

The balcony dimensions on the 2BHK units raise questions. Type A lists a balcony measuring 10.6 by 10.4 metres, yet a declared area of only 28.46 sqm. Type B follows the same pattern: 9.6 by 9.4 metres for 26.51 sqm. These are therefore likely L-shaped terraces wrapping around the building's corner, rather than large square slabs. For an investor, the implication is straightforward: price per square metre should be recalculated based on interior space alone, since a balcony does not rent at the same rate as a living room.

Eight minutes from Wynn Resort

The brochure places Wynn Resort, set to become the UAE's first casino, 8 minutes away by car. Al Marjan Island's boulevard is 4 minutes away, DoubleTree by Hilton 5 minutes, and Waldorf Astoria 11 minutes. Al Hamra Mall and Al Hamra Village sit 10 minutes away, Al Hamra golf course 13 minutes, and Royal Yacht Club 16 minutes. The description refers to distances "on foot," but all these times are given for driving. Expect 34 minutes to Ras Al Khaimah airport, 56 minutes to Dubai International, and 90 minutes to Al Maktoum.

Pool, kids' pool and an outdoor gym

The amenities list stays modest, which fits the building's size. It includes a shared pool, a kids' pool, an outdoor gym, barbecue areas, landscaped zones and a lobby with concierge service. There is no spa, no cinema room, and no private beach club. This setup mainly targets owners who plan short-term rentals to families visiting Wynn or nearby hotels, as well as residents who prefer a quiet address over an integrated resort. The double walk-in closet in the 2BHK Type B and the storage room in the 1BHK Type A also suggest the layouts were designed with long-term occupancy in mind.

BNW's second project on the island

BNW Developments isn't arriving on Al Marjan Island with Aquino alone. The developer is also building Aqua Arc nearby, a two-block scheme with twelve residential floors sitting on two levels of parking. Aquino takes the opposite approach: a single basement level and less than half the floors. With handover set for mid-2027, buyers will need to track construction progress and the escrow schedule. The brochure also notes that dimensions and finishes remain subject to change at the developer's discretion, a standard clause that's best addressed clearly in the reservation contract.