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Construction photos by trances over at ssc
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photos by trances , posters of the BD all over the city
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Contractors to think again as Burj Dubai gains floors
Contractors tendering for the Burj Dubai construction contract have confirmed that they have been asked to re-tender for what will be the worlds tallest tower. This action is said to have been taken because of a design revision.
Construction Week was told that the design revision involves a reduction of the spire structure on the top of the tower so that more floors of useable space can be accommodated.
The official reason for the change is still unclear, but it purports to increase the total leaseable area in the tower and so will improve Emaars return on investment, one of the contractors said. He was speaking on condition of anonymity.
Past experience in cities around the world has shown that high-rise construction is notoriously expensive and many question the financial viability of building super tall buildings, especially when there is an abundance of flat land to build on, as is the case in Dubai. However, Emaar Properties, the developer, believes that it will not only be financially viable, but also represents a major engineering feat to build to a height not yet attempted by mankind. It believes that the tower, complemented by surrounding structures, will make an attractive proposition for not only the developer and residents, but also bring tourism inflow to Dubai and the country.
With the Burj Dubai, we are creating a new architectural benchmark for global property developers and contributing towards the growth of Dubai as a leading tourist destination, says Mohamed Ali Alabbar, Emaar chairman in the companys 2004 yearbook.
Emaar claims that Burj Dubai will not only be the tallest tower in the world, but so much more. It will combine residential and commercial units, hotel, entertainment and leisure outlets with open green spaces, water features, pedestrian boulevards, an old town and one of the worlds largest shopping malls, which Emaar claims, will make the complex a successful project.
In June, Construction Week reported that the original drawings that went out as part of the tender documents showed that the tower would be 704.9 m, making it the worlds tallest by a considerable margin. Since then rumours have suggested that the tower may well end up even taller, with some citing 810 m as the final height. Emaar has been understandably tight-lipped about the height of the proposed tower.
Although the new design change is significant, it is not yet certain whether it will affect the buildings final height. It is more likely that the revision will delay the award of the main contract. Contractors were hoping that an announcement would be made by the end of this month. The industry believes that that construction of the tower could still be on schedule. It was launched in February 2003 and is expected to be finished in 2007.
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Burj to boost Dubai: Mohammed
Dubai : General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence, said the Dh10 billion Burj Dubai project due to be completed in about three years was highly feasible, and that the new landmark would set the emirate firmly into positioning itself as a major international business and tourism hub.
"Such a project must be feasible," he told journalists last evening as he toured the Burj Dubai site. "It is a public shareholder company, and the investors are savvy enough to realise the potential of this project."
He noted the project is attracting considerable investor interest.
Shaikh Mohammad said as he witnessed the pouring of cement for the Burj Dubai, that he valued the vision of President His Highness Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan in supporting projects that would keep the country's eyes fixed on future prosperity for its citizens and residents alike. "We have accomplished only 10 per cent of the projects we intend to accomplish," he added. Mohammad Alabbar, chairman of Emaar Properties, which is building the project, said Burj Dubai, which will be the world's tallest building, will include the tower, a huge shopping mall and a Heritage City. "The tower and the mall will cost more than Dh7 billion, and the Heritage City more than Dh2 billion."
He said that a feasibility study projected an annualised 15 per cent rate of return on total investment. Alabbar revealed there was high demand from international and local business leaders for the prime property which will be built in central Dubai.
Demand is particularly heavy from Europe and East Asia. "At present, the tower is designed to be around 800 metres tall, but we can always push that up to 950 metres," he noted.
He said 50 per cent of the project will be offered to international firms, while the balance will be marketed locally. "The architecture is given to DP Company from Singapore," he added.
Alabbar said this was a momentous day for Dubai. "With its scale and magnitude, the Burj Dubai is set to change the face of the city forever. For Emaar, it represents the next stage of growth, and will be the base for our developments that will follow."
The pouring of the cement for Burj Dubai yesterday ends the first phase of the construction and marks the beginning of the next defining stage that will see the structure begin to rise over the Dubai skyline.
Chicago-based Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) are the architects and Turner International, the project and construction managers.
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Emaar sells 500 apartments in Burj Dubai Tower
DUBAI - Property Major Emaar has begun the sales of apartments in Burj Dubai Tower which will be the world's tallest building on completion in 2007, according to sources.
The company has adopted a completely different approach to sales of Burj Dubai apartments by inviting potential buyers for exclusive viewing and direct sales. So far the company has sold more than 500 apartments in the Middle level, the source said.
The going prices for these apartments are in the range of Dh2.9 million to Dh3.1 million. The rates are likely to go up as the response has been extremely positive, the source added. Emaar had sent out invitations to VIPs in the UAE late last month and the first round of visits and sales were organised earlier this week.
More of such exclusive viewing for VIPs are expected to take place during this month. The Burj Dubai Development will be a mixed-use community combining commercial, residential, entertainment shopping and leisure outlets with wide open green spaces and lakes.
In addition to the world's tallest development, the Burj Dubai development includes Dubai Mall, billed to be the world's largest shopping mall. According to initial estimates, Burj Dubai is expected to cost Dh4 billion and the Dubai Mall Dh2.6 billion.
The 500-acre Burj Dubai development which will encompass the Burj Dubai Tower will be larger than the down towns of New York or London. The entire neighbourhood will host more than 35,000 residents.
The exclusivity of the Burj Dubai Tower and the most modern amenities offered are attracting a large number of wealthy individuals from the region and around the world to invest in Burj Dubai Tower apartments, the source added.
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Who is to build the Burj?
Construction Week has learned that the main contractor for the worlds tallest tower has been finalised and that the announcement is to be made within the month.
It is likely to be a major local firm in joint venture with foreign partners.
Meanwhile, the main contractor for what is being positioned as the worlds largest shopping mall has taken up position at the site from 21st October.
After longer than anticipated evaluation process, the much-awaited Dhs2.7 billion Dubai Malls construction contract was awarded to the joint venture partnership of Dutco Balfour Beatty-Al Ghandi & Consolidated Contractors International Company (DBB/AG & CCC).
The industry is now expecting the award of the construction contract for the Burj Dubai that is proposed by developer Emaar Properties as not only the worlds tallest tower - but by far the tallest tower. Its nearest competitor, the Taipei 101 is 509 m while Burj Dubai is likely to be 300 m higher at around 810 m.
Work on Dubai Mall, which is one of the four elements of the Burj Dubai complex, has already started with piling works by Dutch Foundations being well advanced. These are scheduled to finish early next year, according to Emaar officials. The other main elements are the tower, the Residences and the Old Town, all clustered around a manmade lake.
Though the names of the shortlisted consortia were not made public, it is understood that Emaar had invited eight partnerships to bid for the Dubai Mall main construction contract. The industry was expecting the announcement of the contract for both the Dubai Mall and the Burj Dubai by the end of August. Dubai Mall is being positioned by developer Emaar as the worlds largest shopping mall.
Emaar said the contract to build the worlds largest retail development comprising 1.2 million m2 of gross space featuring 500 000 m2 of retail space, is worth Dhs2.7 billion. The project is to be completed by 2007.
Turner Construction International is Emaars project manager for The Dubai Mall. DPA Singapore is the malls architects while Meinhardt is the engineering consultant.
Emaar has signed the joint venture partnership of DBB-AG & CCC to be their main contractors in the development of The Dubai Mall. Dutco Balfour Beatty has proved its merit on a number of our projects currently in various stages of development and we feel they have the capacity to deliver, said Issam Galadari, Emaar properties executive director projects. We will also shortly be nominating contractors for the Malls mechanical, electrical and plumbing works.
The Burj Dubai development will incorporate, among other things the worlds tallest tower, the worlds largest retail development, a vast man-made lake, a distinctive landscaped park, a boulevard, an upscale residential complex, a seven-star boutique hotel and a town that takes residents back into the Arabia of old.
This is no ordinary mall. There are design elements that will require great expertise. Our designers and engineers have ensured all factors flow in tandem with the overall design, look and feel of this unique mall which is indeed going to offer a lifestyle experience which goes beyond mere shopping, Galadari added.
The Dubai Mall boasts many attractions including the worlds largest indoor Gold Souq, several food courts, Waterfront Atrium, Fountain Oasis, a dedicated high fashion area, Olympic sized ice-rink, The Aquarium and Kiddy Land.
Landscaped gardens and parklands with water features will add to the charm of the mall. In terms of convenience, some 15 000 parking spaces are planned. On completion, the mall hopes to attract 35 million visitors in the first full year of business, with a growth of 20% to 30% a year.
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If you visit this website
www.burjdubai.com and go to the flash section , you will notice this photo pop up
interesting eh
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Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM), the architectural company behind Burj Dubai, is to highlight the benefits of 'Supertall' buildings during the Cityscape event, opening in Dubai tomorrow.
The number of skyscrapers are also set to increase in the dramatically in the Middle East as prestigious projects such as the Burj Dubai capture the public's imagination, the company said.
The company believes the region is a prime location for more skyscrapers due to the availability of land, stable geology, and strong financial backing for such developments.
Adrian Smith, consulting design partner for SOM and the designer of the Burj Dubai, will be a key speaker on super tall structures at Cityscape.
He will present a case study on the design and engineering of the Burj Dubai as well as what the future holds for the design of tall structures.
The Cityscape event, organised by IIR, will take place at Dubai World Trade Centre complex until Wednesday.
'The Middle East is turning to building supertall buildings as they help to resolve much needed office and accommodation shortages, and serve as a widely recognizable icon of their city and country,' said Adrian Smith.
'We are now witnessing strong interest from many countries across the region who want to develop their own iconic buildings as an impetus for future building growth and economic development,' added Smith, who will be speaking about supertall structures at the Cityscape conference - the premier property investment and development event - taking place later this month in Dubai.
The Burj Dubai will be the world's tallest building and will reflect Dubai's status as a major international business and tourism hub.
The height of the tower, while still undisclosed, will exceed 610 metres and will be significantly taller than any building that is completed or currently under construction.
Smith has designed some of the world's most famous construction projects, including the Jin Mao Tower in Shanghai, China's tallest building, and the Tower Palace III in Seoul, South Korea, the world's tallest residential building.
'The Burj Dubai will catapult both Dubai and the UAE onto the world stage,' said IIR conference director Shabnam Rawal.
'Adrian Smith is an expert in the field, having worked on two of the world's five tallest structures, and delegates at Cityscape will be able to hear his insights on superstructures and the exciting plans for Burj Dubai.'
Smith is just one of over 70 speakers at the Cityscape 2004 Conference - the region's premier property investment and development event - taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre.
Running alongside this world-class conference is the Cityscape 2004 exhibition, which this year will attract more than 5,000 leading international figures from the real estate industry.
Cityscape is a networking event that attracts regional and international architects, property development professionals and global institutional investors to an annual showcase that celebrates the very best in Commercial Architecture, Property Design and Development.
The event as a whole attracts major investors from the international arena, looking for new projects and opportunities for development.-
Photo of the burj Dubai taken by SA BOY over at ssc while visiting the cityscape in Dubai
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Dr. Mahatir Mohamad at the Burj Dubai Development.
Dr. Mahatir is on a private visit to Dubai.
Dr. Mahatir was accompanied by Mohamed Ali Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties who led the high profile visitor through the innovative Burj Dubai Presentation Centre which houses the scaled model of the tower, a model apartment, and a simulation of what the views will be like from the upper reaches of the Burj Dubai.
Dr. Mahatir also visited The Old Town Sales Centre and The Dubai Mall Leasing Centre.
Dr. Mahatir, who stepped down as Malaysia's premier after 22 years in power was later given a presentation on various Emaar projects including the Arabian Ranches and Dubai Marina.
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