Sanya Waterfront
Turning a former shipyard into a wider waterfront destination.
- Location
- Sanya, Hainan, China
- Programme
- Marina, restaurants, apartments & studios
- Scale
- 70,000 m²
- NBAX role
- Lead architect
- Status
- Concept / masterplan
The Sanya waterfront proposal reimagines an old shipyard as a mixed-use yacht-club destination, combining marine activity with public space, hospitality and film-related uses. The opportunity was to create reasons to visit beyond berthing a boat, giving the waterfront a clearer identity and a broader range of activities.
Plan the offer and the visitor journey together
A promenade connects berths with restaurants, apartments and studios. Public movement and places to spend time are planned alongside servicing, fuelling and maintenance. Bringing these requirements into one masterplan allows the leisure experience to be considered with the practical work of operating a waterfront.
An award-recognised destination strategy
The project won the Architect category at the 2022 International Smart & Sustainable Marina Awards in Monaco. It demonstrates NBAX’s approach to destination development: connect existing assets, a specific identity and complementary uses to give people more reasons to visit and return.