Bain Al Jisreen: Life between the bridges

Nestled on the banks of Abu Dhabi's Maqta Channel is a small and exclusive community that is steadily growing. Comprising villas, a handful of three-storey buildings and a recently-built luxury housing and hotel development, this area between the Musaffah and Maqta bridges is one of the most beautiful localities in the capital. Bain Al Jisreen is poised to become part of the capital city's most iconic districts, Grand Mosque District, in the next two decades. The area's name is derived from its geographical location. Its formal Arabic name translates into ‘between the bridges'. Interestingly, Bain Al Jisreen also acts as a figurative ‘bridge' between Abu Dhabi's current central business district and its future business district that will be located off the island. Family friendly Housing in Bain Al Jisreen mostly comprises villas and residents vouch for the family-friendly neighbourhood. Malika Merachi, 30, a homemaker from Algeria, told Gulf News that it was an ideal place to raise her two-month-old daughter. "Our neighbourhood is quiet, and absolutely ideal for a family. Everything is easily available and traffic is limited. I have truly enjoyed living here in the one year that I have been in Abu Dhabi," Merachi said, as she shopped for groceries at the Bain Al Jisreen Cooperative Society. She, however, said a mall would be a welcome addition to the locality. Convenience stores Presently, the Bain Al Jisreen Cooperative Society is the area's main supermarket. Smaller stores offer products and services ranging from chocolates and gifts to electronics. However, traders said business has slowed over the past decade because people prefer malls over traditional street-side markets. "We used to get many more customers earlier, but now we usually get about a dozen customers a day. People prefer to shop and buy their clothes elsewhere," Noor Mohammad, a 25-year-old salesperson at Rayya Tailoring, said. The shop offers ladies' tailoring and also sells textiles and traditional outfits like jalabiyas. Perhaps this decline has been brought about by the opening of a mall-like development called The Souk at Qaryat Al Beri. The Souk houses a handful of speciality and luxury stores. A convenience store called The Deli provides basic groceries. In addition, the complex also includes a small waterway for abras, as well as a few fine dining outlets. Looking out over the channel, one can see a line of gleaming white yachts anchored at the dock, spy the majestic Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque across the waters, or see all three bridges spanning the channel — Maqta Bridge, Musaffah Bridge and Shaikh Zayed Bridge. Commerce Business at The Souk is especially good over the weekends, and more and more shoppers visit every week, said Elvan Edis, the owner of Al Manhal Bridge Accessories Trading, which sells handmade Turkish jewellery and ceramic items. "I decided to locate my store here because I sell authentic luxury items, which go very well with the spirit and feel of The Souk itself. And now, with this place gaining popularity, I see more than 60 customers over the weekend," Edis said. While many of the shoppers are local residents, others are tourists staying at the two hotels on either side of the market, the contemporary Fairmont Bab Al Bahr and the traditional Shangri-La. Luxury housing These hotels, as well as the Qaryat Al Beri luxury housing development adjoining the Shangri-La, have transformed much of the lifestyle in the quiet Bain Al Jisreen area. The palm trees and fountains draw residents and tourists to this part of the neighbourhood. The Ritz Carlton, located next to the Grand Mosque, is due to open soon. However, not all residents are happy with the changes. Al Murrar Surour, 40, an Emirati senior investment professional and father of four children, said the hotels means parents have to keep a closer watch on their teenagers. "In the evenings, these places are crowded with impressionable young teenagers and when they come across other lifestyles, they are prone to forgetting the values they were raised with," he said. Surour has been living in a two-storey villa in the neighbourhood for the past 15 years. "One of the best things about staying here is how safe the locality is, and how wonderful your neighbours are. The only addition I would like to see in the vicinity is a well-equipped public park," he said. Standard of living Restaurants: Fine dining at The Souk at Qaryat Al Beri, Fairmont and Shangri-La hotels goes hand in hand with small eateries. Hospitals: The Bain Al Jisreen Healthcare Centre is the biggest medical facility. Schools: The Darweesh Benkaram Secondary School is one of the only schools in the area. Hotels: The Fairmont Bab Al Bahr and the Shangri-La Hotel are popular. A Trader Vic Hotel is also located between these two developments. Malls and grocery stores: The Souk at Qaryat Al Beri focuses mainly on luxury brands. The Bain Al Jisreen Cooperative Society as well as The Deli (in The Souk) are the places for grocery shopping. Small grocery stores which are a feature in most of Abu Dhabi are largely absent here.