A NEW leisure development coming up in Bahrain has invited businesses to set up shop in specially made shipping containers.
The $1 million Urban Ave complex in Sanabis is based around a six-a-side football pitch.
However, the reception area and retail space will be located in two 40-foot shipping containers – while another 20-foot container on top will incorporate a juice bar.
It is the brainchild of 33-year-old Salah Salahuddin, a director of the Yousuf Salahuddin company, who says he has spent the past four years turning his dream into reality.
“Our proposed opening is the end of this year, but the football pitch is going to be running in August,” said Mr Salahuddin.
In addition to space afforded by specially-made shipping containers, the project will also boast a service building that is set to incorporate a drive-through coffee shop and 35 car parking spaces.
“Basically we are taking brand new shipment containers and bringing them to the site to work on them,” added Mr Salahuddin.
“We’ll stick them together and fabricate them to make it appear as one container instead of two.
“The one on top will be a juice bar and healthy foods maybe.
“It’s easier for the guys who play football – after playing they can have some snacks in the juice bar.”
A planned outdoor terrace on the upper deck of the shipping containers will afford spectators a relaxing vantage point to watch games below.
Meanwhile, Mr Salahuddin revealed plans to tie-up with an international footballer to launch a new football academy at the complex.
“If we get into a conclusion with the football player, we might have a small store to sell football items such as jerseys,” he added.
If the concept is successful there are also plans for a phase two, which includes development of an adjacent plot of land – also incorporating shipping containers.
The project first hit the headlines in February, when a team of street artists was given creative licence to brighten up the construction site with graffiti.
Five artists were given freedom to express themselves on the 100-metre fence surrounding the site, where work on the complex is currently ongoing.
“The graffiti wall really transformed this area and everyone is talking about it,” he said.
“Because of the wall our location is easy to find.”
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