• Wane by SoMiya is a new pool lounge to open at Address Dubai Marina. All pictures are courtesy of Wane by SoMiya
    Wane by SoMiya is a new pool lounge to open at Address Dubai Marina. All pictures are courtesy of Wane by SoMiya
  • The completely outdoor location features cabanas and lounge-style seating.
    The completely outdoor location features cabanas and lounge-style seating.
  • It also has a urban jungle theme.
    It also has a urban jungle theme.
  • Guests can expect views of the Dubai Marina as well as the venue's animal sculptures.
    Guests can expect views of the Dubai Marina as well as the venue's animal sculptures.
  • The venue made headlines earlier this year for transporting two animal sculptures via helicopter.
    The venue made headlines earlier this year for transporting two animal sculptures via helicopter.
  • Japanese-style salmon tartare.
    Japanese-style salmon tartare.
  • The fruit platter.
    The fruit platter.

Wane by SoMiya, home to Dubai’s flying gorilla and tiger sculptures, to officially open


Janice Rodrigues
  • English
  • Arabic

Dubai residents are all set to get a new poolside destination.

Wane by SoMiya, a pool club and lounge located on the fourth floor of Address Dubai Marina, is having its launch with a two-night event. The venue has currently been operating under a soft opening phase, but this marks its official opening to the public.

The event will take place on November 6 and 7, and will include live entertainment and a performance from Congolese-French rapper, singer and producer Maitre Gims. Advanced bookings are required for the weekend event in line with social distancing regulations.

The new pool club and lounge is located at Address Dubai Marina’s fourth floor, at a location formerly occupied by Shades. The completely outdoor venue features relaxed lounge-style seating and cabanas. Guests will be able to enjoy an expansive view of the Dubai Marina skyline from the patio spaces.

The rooftop space has an "urban jungle" theme so guests can expect plenty of pops of greenery. In keeping with this theme, those visiting will also be able to come face-to-face with the venue's resident animals – a gorilla dubbed Kong, who guests can take a selfie or two with, and a golden tiger that has been placed to seemingly tread over water on the pool.

The sculptures, created by artist Idriss B, made headlines in September, when they were spotted by numerous Dubai Marina residents as they were being transported to the location via helicopters.

The sculptures are made from cast iron and stainless steel, with the tiger featuring an additional gold finish, explaining its weight of a tonne compared to the gorilla's weight of 600 kilograms.

“The artistic installations by the commissioned artist Idriss B were chosen for their modern age creativity and edginess, in line with the essence of our venue. We wanted these unique sculptures to bring our new rooftop to life as an urban jungle in the city,” Yoann Grillet, managing director of SoMiya Group, said at the time.

Other than the urban jungle theme, guests can expect French-Mediterranean bites with Japanese touches on the menu. This includes dishes such as the crispy calamari, seaweed salad, traditional Japanese wagyu sando, wagyu sliders, mini tacos and mains like grilled octopus and pasta siciliana.

  • Videos of two animal sculptures by artist Idriss B went viral on Sunday, September 13, when they were seen flying through Dubai Marina by helicopter. All photos are courtesy of We Shape Spaces
    Videos of two animal sculptures by artist Idriss B went viral on Sunday, September 13, when they were seen flying through Dubai Marina by helicopter. All photos are courtesy of We Shape Spaces
  • The tiger sculpture weighs one tonne (1,000 kilograms) while the gorilla weighs 600 kilograms.
    The tiger sculpture weighs one tonne (1,000 kilograms) while the gorilla weighs 600 kilograms.
  • They were picked up by helicopter from Skydive Dubai.
    They were picked up by helicopter from Skydive Dubai.
  • Contracting company We Shape Spaces managed the process.
    Contracting company We Shape Spaces managed the process.
  • Many Dubai Marina residents caught sight of the two animals "flying by".
    Many Dubai Marina residents caught sight of the two animals "flying by".
  • The animals were dropped off to their "new home" at Wane by SoMiya pool club and lounge.
    The animals were dropped off to their "new home" at Wane by SoMiya pool club and lounge.
  • Wane by SoMiya pool club and lounge is located at the fourth floor of the Address Dubai Marina.
    Wane by SoMiya pool club and lounge is located at the fourth floor of the Address Dubai Marina.
  • The sculpture is symbolic of Le Kong, a new French Mediterranean restaurant enhanced with Japanese touches, that will open by the pool at by the end of October.
    The sculpture is symbolic of Le Kong, a new French Mediterranean restaurant enhanced with Japanese touches, that will open by the pool at by the end of October.
  • The golden tiger has been placed on the edge of the hotel's infinity pool.
    The golden tiger has been placed on the edge of the hotel's infinity pool.
  • The animals offer plenty of Instagrammable moments.
    The animals offer plenty of Instagrammable moments.