Cape Reed completes first commercial development on World

The Royal Island Beach Club, a Caribbean-style beach club aimed at high-flyers, is the first commercial development to open on Dubai's famous offshore island project The World.

Cape Reed's work included the construction of the main restaurant building which comfortably seats up to 200 guests, as well as eight chalets, 10 beach umbrellas, and two cabanas for welcoming guests.

Special pressure-treated timber columns from South Africa were used to build all the structures, while the group's unique cape reed thatching was used for all the roofs.

"The treatment of the timber had to be environmentally friendly as we did not want any chemicals in the timber treatment to endanger sea life surrounding the island," explained André van Heerden, Managing Partner for Cape Reed's Middle East operations.

The company's primary roofing material, which also gives the company its name, is cape reed, a unique kind of thatch that only grows on a small strip of land, approximately 78x23km, in the Southern Cape region of South Africa. Because of its scarcity very strict farming practices are adhered to in order to ensure its sustainability.

The cape reed plant grows for an average of six years before it is harvested, and provides one of the most durable natural fibres on earth, making it ideal for thatching. Cape Reed thatching structures have a life expectancy of anything from 20 to 50 years.

It allows trapped water and heat to escape, making it waterproof and UV-proof, while its insulating properties mean it can be as much as 10˚C cooler in summer, and warmer in winter than a standard roof cover, making it ideal for the local climate.

"The entire process from design to completion took more than a year due to the lengthy approval process by the developers because of the uniqueness of the project. Naturally, due to the location of the island, we also had a few logistical challenges getting the material and our team of thatching artisans to and from the island on a daily basis," added van Heerden.

Wakil Admed Azmi, owner of The Royal Island Beach Club, said, "The work done by Cape Reed on the island is truly commendable." "Their fine work is not only appreciated by us, but also by everyone who has visited this island, and we are all extremely satisfied by Cape Reed's work, as well as their professionalism and dedication," he added.

"Lebanon Island and The Royal Island Beach Club is synonymous with Cape Reed, because everyone who visits the island really appreciates the beautiful South African structures created by the company," further added Azmi.

The Royal Island Beach Club is located on the island of Lebanon on The World development, four kilometres out to sea, and takes approximately 30 minutes by water taxi. The club has eight private chalets, an international cuisine restaurant, a swimming pool and two beach areas.