The new address for luxury

MOST people would assume they need a magic lamp or a supercharged DeLorean to travel to the future. However, thanks to the opening of the new Lexus showroom in Sitra there is now an easier, more luxurious way to feel futuristic.

EK Kanoo, the official distributor of Lexus and Toyota vehicles in the kingdom, has taken an impressive step towards the future by launching an impressive $12 million (BD4.5 million) showroom which, the company says, was built to give customers a sense of exclusive luxury, greater ownership experience and increased delight.

The 6,000 square metres landscape, adjacent to the Toyota showroom, is divided into a two storey building, surrounded by ample parking space and aims to be the new address for luxury in Bahrain. The design of the showroom's 'tent influenced' exterior combines Bahraini tradition with the modern style of Lexus, creating an unforgettable experience, which begins the second you walk up to the building.

In a bid to add a sense of tranquility to the experience, outside the showroom's majestic double doors are two beautifully landscaped Japanese Zen gardens. They consist of a pit of sand or gravel, with carefully placed islands of rock and the sand is artfully raked daily in patterns that evoke the ripples of the sea, giving a serene and tranquil feel.

Once you pass through the doors, the sensory delights are almost overwhelming as you walk across the black marble floor of the reception into the plush showroom, which can accommodate a display of around 15 Lexus cars.

As I tentatively stepped onto the showroom floor (almost afraid to tread dirt into the palatial atmosphere) I was taken aback when I saw the futuristic 200-inch screen that runs Lexus demonstration videos while you peruse the wide selection of gleaming vehicles. And gleam is exactly what they do, thanks to the floor-to-ceiling wall of glass at the side of the showroom.

Thanks to this feature, there is an abundance of natural light which gently glistens off the range of shiny, new and breathtakingly impressive Lexus vehicles.

The interior design, much like the exterior, is totally unique yet uncomplicated. The dim lights illuminate from behind the metallic black ceilings and reflect off the marble floors, giving the landscape a modern and contemporary feel. There is an assortment of personal touches throughout the building, including a meticulously framed portrait of EK Kanoo founder Ebrahim Khalil Kanoo as you walk into the reception.

To compliment the already stunning experience, there is an elevated cafŽ on the first floor balcony, which not only gives customers a panoramic view of the showroom and Lexus models, but also a place to enjoy a hot drink while you wait ... classy or what?! The dark leather sofas in the cafŽ are so inviting and comfortable that I almost drifted off to sleep while gazing at the 200 inch screen!

Everything about the showroom oozes class and luxury with a contemporary feel. Even the lift which gently takes you from the ground floor has a Star Wars-esque quality about it as the doors make a sound, which resembles air being let out from a tyre, when they open.

For any further information, contact 17737773 or visit www.lexus.com.bh