Sheikh Khalid visits Etihad Arena and Abu Dhabi's Yas Bay megaproject

The distinctive gold-finned Etihad Arena will soon welcome visitors

South of Yas Island Master Plan. Courtesy Miral

A rendered view over Yas Bay. Courtesy Miral

The waterfront Etihad Arena. Courtesy Miral

Hilton Family Resort and Beach Club will be one of two hotels located in Yas Bay. Courtesy Miral

A rendering of the Yas Bay Pier. Courtesy Miral

What the Yas Bay Promenade is expected to look like. Courtesy Miral

Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, has toured the emirate's mega project, Yas Bay.

Situated on the southern end of Yas Island, the development is home to the 18,000-seater Etihad Arena, dozens of cafes, a pier and promenade.

Work is advancing rapidly at the site which Sheikh Khalid assessed on Thursday.

First Sheikh Khalid toured the new Etihad Arena, which is Yas Bay's most striking component.

The indoor, air-conditioned arena with its distinctive gold fans will cater to 18,000 people when it opens soon.

The one-million square metre Yas Bay area also includes a sprawling Hilton hotel and the new headquarters of TwoFour54.

Sheikh Khalid also toured other parts of the development which are coming together.

"Projects such as Yas Bay are part of our efforts to raise the bar and set a new global standard in leisure and entertainment," he said.

"We are focused on realising our vision, no matter what changes we face, of cementing Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for tourism, business, and investment."

During the visit, it was revealed the Hilton is set to open this year.

Yas Bay seeks to attract and keep more tourists on the island - already home to Warner Brothers, Yas Waterworld and the F1 track - while encouraging more residents to visit.

Development began in 2017 and a new pier area with restaurants and cafes is also at an advanced stage. Mosques and schools are also part of the development.