Yachting specialist Art Marine has opened Abu Dhabi’s first high-end marine leisure boutique at the prestigious Emirates Palace hotel as part of its expansion strategy in the UAE.

Having successfully managed the Emirates Palace Marina for the last three years, the company has now been appointed for a further three-year tenure.

Located alongside the exclusive Marina, the boutique is the result of boat owner requests made specifically to the Emirates Palace Management, including new yacht purchases, technical maintenance, and everything from valeting services to marine products and fishing equipment.

“With expanding our footprint in the UAE, we complement our growing international reach, which stretches as far afield as China. Emirates Palace is the most exclusive and prestigious of the UAE marinas and we are honored to provide the VIP yachtsmen moored there with a unique concept showroom to answer all their needs,” said CEO Greg Stinner. “Continuing a successful month with the Qatar International Boat Show, we are delighted to end the year with this momentous landmark in the company’s on-going expansion and evolution.”

The boutique will primarily focus on the iconic Riva brand of yachts from Italy’s Ferretti Group, a leader in the design, construction and sale of luxury motor yachts.

In addition to luxury brand yachts sales, it will also offer to the marina berth holders and yacht owners a well diversified chandlery, as well as valet and maintenance service.

It will also stock Williams tenders, for which Art Marine is the exclusive distributor and dealer in the UAE and Qatar.

The store’s modern wooden exterior is characterised by clean design lines and sail shaped sun shades. The interior decoration has a classical nautical theme, with wooden boat decking and sketches of iconic Riva yachts on the wall.

Part of The Abraaj Group, Art Marine is an exclusive dealer for different brands of the Ferretti Group: Riva and Itama are represented in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman, while Ferretti Yachts, Pershing and Mochi Craft are represented in Bahrain and Oman.

Ferretti Group’s CEO Alberto Galassi, who was present at the launch of the boutique, said: “Art Marine could not have chosen a better suited location for a new showroom than Emirates Palace Marina, which affords unprecedented luxury in the heart of Abu Dhabi, whilst catering to the capital’s sailing enthusiasts. The UAE is an important market for the Ferretti Group and we are thrilled that our exclusive dealer has secured this inspiring destination to showcase our globally recognised Italian brands, which boasts passion, innovation and excellence.”

The Riva shipyard, which celebrated its 172^th anniversary this year, is known to be the favorite brand and the choice of royals, movie stars, celebrities and VIPs.

The showroom’s design embodies the unmistakable Riva ‘Dolce Vita’ spirit, with craftsmanship, innovation and unmatchable quality.