Dubai Maritime City

As Dubai’s growth as a leisure destination is matched only by the wealth of its visitors, the emirate is set to create 20,000 marina berths over the next five years to accommodate yachts and pleasure boats. The figure represents a 200 per cent rise on current numbers, and leading the way is Dubai Maritime City (DMC), currently rising out of the waters of the Arabian Gulf.

Spread across 227 hectares, this manmade peninsula, near Port Rashid, will be home to more than 120,000 people, with a capacity for 1,000 leisure craft. Part of Dubai World’s portfolio, DMC claims to be the world’s first purpose-built maritime centre.

It will have six areas including a Maritime Centre, Marina Centre, Dubai Maritime Campus, Harbour Residence, Harbour

Offices and an Industrial Precinct. The Industrial Precinct will house a ship-repair complex capable of serving more than 80 vessels at a time across 42 berths.

“Dubai Maritime City will be a significant contributor to the emirate’s economic diversification programme,” said Ali Al Daboos DMC’s Chief Operating Officer.

“DMC is envisioned to be a remarkable and highly successful catalyst for achieving the ambitious socioeconomic goals of Dubai and the UAE in general.”

Work on Dubai Maritime City began in 2004 with massive land reclamation and breakwater construction.

Reclamation work was completed in 2006 and has clawed back 31.2 million cubic metres of land from the sea.

To date Dh4 billion has been spent creating DMC – with the company admitting it does not know what the final bill will be.

Currently, DMC is in the third and final phase of construction, which involves the installation of infrastructure. Island Global Yachting (IGY), a New York firm which operates marinas in Dubai, including the forthcoming

Anchor Marina on The Palm Jumeirah, said the expected 200 per cent increase in berths would create 1,500 permanent jobs for IGY alone.

“Dubai has always been a city with a strong maritime heritage but with the creation of unique waterfront developments, the city now appeals to a new market – the international yachting community,” said Michael Horrigan, CEO of IGY Middle East and Europe.

IGY is currently working on a number of facilities in Dubai including Dubai Waterfront. DMC recently signed a long-term agreement with

Drydocks World Dubai (CORR), to manage its Industrial Precinct. Under that agreement, Drydocks World Dubai will manage all components of the Industrial Precinct, so they are the ones responsible for initiating contact with shipbuilding companies.

“We have had a very optimistic response from industry players,” said Al Daboos. “In fact, more than 1,000 companies have already pre-registered with Dubai Maritime City.

“Indeed, this is an excellent indication we are moving in the right direction.

“Maritime businesses have greatly appreciated Dubai Maritime City’s fully integrated development concept, which is expected to significantly boost their growth prospects and deliver premium business value for their investments.”

Other features of the Industrial District will be 19 ship-repair plots, a 3,115m quay wall, 31 small dry berths, 11 large dry berths, a rail transfer system, a 1,720m wet berthing, shops, showrooms and canteens.

“Dubai Maritime City is unique and original in its development concept as it has been specifically dedicated to serve all players of the global maritime industry within one custom-developed integrated facility,” said Al Daboos.

“It has also been specially designed to leverage Dubai’s natural access to the Gulf and its strategic location to facilitate shipping activities and become a focal point in the region’s maritime industry.”

Al Daboos said DMC was working closely with the Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority to develop a world-class road network and the two organisations would also invest in water-based transportation such as ferries and water taxis.

Jutting out into the Gulf, DMC cuts an unusual shape that Al Daboos said was to enhance the accessibility and views for people living and working there.

“The development was designed in a peninsula concept that has the advantage of unobstructed open sea access for the industrial community, while optimising the maritime-themed living and working environment with breathtaking sea views amid a vibrant commercial hub,” the chief operating officer told Emirates Business.

DMC is looking at a phased launch for the project which will be finished in 2012.

EmiratesBusiness

Dubai Trade District moves from vision to reality

Work has begun to transform a car park used by exhibition visitors into the first phase of a Dh15.8 billion business hub in the financial heart of Dubai.

Construction of the first phase of Dubai Trade Centre District, which will eventually sit on 115,932 square metres of land between

Emirates Towers and the World Trade Centre, will take two years. The initial stage of the six-phase development is set to be a commercial centre located between Emirates Towers and the Novotel hotel.

Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), the master planner for the district, has secured the United Kingdom’s Hopkins Architects to create the first phase. Hopkins, which is also involved in Dubai International Financial Centre’s The Gate, will work with engineering group WSP. The World Trade Centre Tower will be preserved as an iconic landmark within the overall development.

“The Dubai Trade Centre District is now moving from vision to reality,” said DWTC Director General Helal Saeed Al Marri. “It is critically important for us as master developers to build something which will not only have a major impact on business across the Middle East but will also ensure that sustainability concepts are incorporated into every aspect of development.”

DWTC says the district will be a fully integrated lifestyle destination blending commerce, residential, retail and leisure facilities in the commercial heart of Dubai. It will also be an enhanced central business district at the centre of one of the Middle East’s most dynamic economies. The first phase is due for completion in early 2010 and will include a business quarter with two hotels, 200,000sq m of grade A1 office accommodation, 830 apartments and 750 serviced apartments with retail outlets and 8,600 parking spaces. There will be 12,500sq m of ground floor retail space.

Many of the buildings will be linked by air-conditioned pedestrian walkways.

The district recently received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold standard pre-certification because of the developer’s commitment to sustainability.

The buildings will be eco-friendly, says DTWC, and all offices and residences will make the best use of naturally lit spaces alongside landscaped terraces.

“Our excellent working relationships with our partners Dubai Municipality, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority and the Roads and Transport Authority have played a major role in the seamless progression of the project from the drawing board to its current stage of implementation,” added Al Marri. “By building to the LEED gold standard we are also contributing to Dubai’s overall positioning as an environment-friendly city.” DWTC is working with the UAE Green Building Council and aims to use carbon neutral technology throughout the construction and after the buildings are occupied.

The first phase is set to receive tenants in 2010. DWTC is offering investment opportunities in the development and is in discussions with individuals, international development groups and several leading hotel companies.

The initial excavation work is already completed and more than 850,000 cubic metres of concrete is now being poured into the foundations. Piling work is also well under way with 3,000 of the 7,000 piles already in place.

“Phase one of this spectacular redevelopment project will transform the entire area surrounding the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre,” said DWTC’s director-general.

“Residential, hospitality and leisure facilities will provide the perfect balance of today’s work-play environments with high-end shopping, fine dining, arts, entertainment and cultural options, together with the ultimate in high-end residential accommodation.”

Emirates Business

Dubai Trade Centre District

Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) announced today the commencement of major construction work on the first phase of the Dubai Trade Centre District, the integrated commercial destination that is coming up at the heart of Dubai’s business district on Sheikh Zayed Road.

The District has also recently received LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold standard pre-certification for its commitment to sustainability.

With the initial excavation work now being completed, over 850,000 cubic metres of concrete is being poured into the foundations, in preparation for 2.3 million square feet of commercial office space, and 135,000 square feet of ground floor retail space that will be offered in the first phase of the development.

Piling work on the project is also well underway with 3,000 of the 7,000 piles already in place, as Phase One of this spectacular redevelopment project that will transform the entire area surrounding the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) rapidly takes shape.

Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General, DWTC, said:

‘The Dubai Trade Centre District is now moving from vision to reality. It is critically important for us as master-developers to build something which will not only have a major impact on business across the Middle East, but will also ensure that sustainability concepts are incorporated into every aspect of construction and development.’

Statistics from the Green Building Council show that existing offices, high rises, towers and facilities are among the worst offenders when it comes to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and resource use, accounting for 39% of CO2 emissions and 71% of electricity consumption. However, the new wave of construction and development offers the opportunity to reduce this negative impact on the environment by around 20%.

DWTC’s approach to environmentally-sustainable development is in line with the directive of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to prioritise sustainable development, as outlined in the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015.

The largest commercial development in the UAE built to LEED Gold standards, The District will offer more than 450,000 square metres of car parking, creating 7,000 spaces on four underground levels. The commitment to LEED Gold Standards will help ensure energy-efficient use of resources, reduce waste and promote the highest level occupant comfort and material recycling.

Given, the District’s location, stretching from the Trade Centre Roundabout to Emirates Towers on Dubai’s main commercial artery, Sheikh Zayed Road, the focus on environmentally-sustainable construction will also make an important contribution to quality of life for local residents and workers in the area.

One of the innovations that have been incorporated into the blueprint is the optimum use of natural light, as well as a significant amount of landscaped terraces and green areas. In addition, working in coordination with the Green Building Council, DWTC is deploying carbon neutral technology throughout the construction and occupation process. With the first phase of the District set to receive tenants in 2010, the group is also looking to build sustainability principles into its world-class facilities management programme.

‘Our excellent working relationships with our partners Dubai Municipality, DEWA and the RTA have played a major role in the seamless progression of the project from the drawing board to its current stage of implementation,’ said Al Marri. ‘By building to a LEED Gold Standard, we are also contributing to Dubai’s overall positioning as an environmentally-friendly city.’

The District

The state-of-the-art business quarter will contain two hotels, 200,000 sq. m of grade A1 office accommodation, plus 1,000 apartments and 1,000 serviced apartments with related retail and car parking, offering a vibrant mix of public and private spaces, linked by air-conditioned pedestrian walkways.

The serviced apartments will provide a luxurious lifestyle for residents and visitors, managed by Dubai World Trade Centre, the UAE’s longest-serving residential service provider.

Using the highest standards in design, the buildings will be environmentally sustainable and will be carefully designed to the highest quality. All offices and residences will make the best use of naturally-lit interior spaces alongside landscaped terraces.

Residents and executives living within the district will have access to the World Trade Club, the city’s most prestigious business venue on the top floor of the landmark Dubai World Trade Centre Tower.

Ameinfo/DWTC