Major construction projects in Abu Dhabi

fig 1 : Abu Dhabi grand prix construction,Yas Island, Abu Dhabi,2008 (Source: f1fanatic.co.uk)                                                          

In the last few years, the construction sector in UAE had undergone a huge boom (baring the real estate bubble burst in Dubai which happened as an aftermath of global economic meltdown). Last decade had seen UAE coming up with a range of extravagant construction projects, in order to transform itself as a world class tourist destination, marked by magnificence and splendor. The leading Emirates, Dubai and Abu Dhabi had executed some multi Billion dollar projects that can make any one awestruck. The following blog will give a brief description for some of these projects by Abu Dhabi that had either been completed or undergoing construction. #

• Ferrari theme park: This multi Billion US dollar project which is the biggest indoor theme park in the world had been developed with collaboration between Ferrari and UAE based construction giant ALDAR. The agreement for this 1st ever Ferrari theme park was signed between the two parties in 2005, and was planned to be opened by 2008, though got delayed and was finally opened in November 2010. Constructed on an area of 86,000 SQ M, it’s a multi experiential theme park with some 20 different types of ride. Reflecting the brand values of passion, technical innovation and excellence of Ferrari, the park is considered to be one of the biggest tourist attractions of Abu Dhabi and expects around 10,000 visitors a day. (Ferrariworldabudhabi.com, 2011)

• Saadiyat Islands: Saadiyat islands project will consist of developing low lying islands, 500 Meter off the coast of Abu Dhabi and will be center of architectural and cultural excellence along with being a business, educational and residential place with 38,000 apartments and 8000 villas. Completed by 2018, this 27 Billion US dollar project aims to offer a unique emotional, aesthetic and commercial experience to different sections of tourists. It will be developed by TDIC (tourism development and investment company), an independent entity owned by govt. of Abu Dhabi, involved in developing a large number of tourist destination in the Emirate. Saadiyat Island will consist of a; cultural district with five world class museums designed by world famous architects, a 7- Star hotel, luxury villas and a wide range of retail shops ;Al-Marina district consisting of business complexes, lavish residences, educational institutions and places for leisure activities; four other districts comprising of state of the art golf course, exotic beaches, villa residences, lagoons, nature reserves, eco hotels etc. (AMEinfo.com, 2010)

• Dessert Islands: Dessert Islands are a set of eight islands at the West Coast of Abu Dhabi. Blessed with pristine natural beauties, wild life reserves and historical art facts, it consists of Bani Yas Island, Dalma Island and six other islands. The Dessert Island project, started in 2007 is a 3 Billion Us dollar project intended to transform the islands into a world class, Eco, Nature and adventure tourism destination. The project being executed by TDIC, Masdar (Abu Dhabi govt.’s new energy sustainability initiative) and other private and public players, includes developing 5 star hotels and luxury resorts with around 4000 rooms and aims at maintaining overall conservation and sustainability of the ecology, cultural heritages and energy consumption in the region. Initially it is expected to be visited by around 250,000 tourists annually, rising to over a Million a year (consisting of day trippers and overnight stayers) by 2017. Once being fully operational it is expected to earn US $ 326 Million along with providing 6,500 jobs. (AMEinfo.com, 2007) Ready by this time the islands offer a wide range of activities such as kayaking, nature and wild life drives, nature and wild life walks, mountain biking, boat snorkeling, sunset cruises, scenic sea plane flights etc and top notch accommodation in the form of luxury resorts and hotels. (Dessert island ,2011)

• Al- RAHA beach development project: Aldar’s Al-RAHA beach development project is a US $ 11.7 Billion project situated along the Dubai-Abu Dhabi highway, and is located opposite to AL-RAHA garden (theemirtaenetwrok.com) Spread across a vast area of some 5 SQ KM, it includes constructing a wide range of accommodations, consisting of 60 storey towers as well as low rise buildings and villas and is expected to accommodate 120,000 individuals. It will also be have large number of parks, cafes and other leisure destinations. The project is currently under construction and is expected to be finished by 2018. (ConstructionWeekonline.com, 2009)

• Al- Reem Island project: One of the biggest real estate projects in the Middle East, Al-Reem Island project consists of developing state of the art residential, commercial and business complexes on the natural island of “Al- Reem”, situated off the North Western coast of Abu Dhabi city. The US $ 30 billion project aims to be an example of magnificence by offering advanced and rich lifestyle experiences to its residents and is been developed by three entities: TAMOUH, Sourah and Reem developers, while TAMOUH is developing 60% of the project, Sourah and Reem are developing 20% of the project each. The work for the project had started in 2006, will be constructed in phases and is expected to be finished by 2023. Once being fully completed the ambitious real estate project will have a total built up area of 1.1 million SQ feet and will be housing some 200,000 residents. Along with top notch residences with state of the art technological facilities, the project will also include shopping complexes, parks, a 27-hole golf course, schools and colleges. Foreign nationals can also own properties in the complex for a 99 years lease. (alreemisland.com, 2011)

• Mohammed Bin Zayed City: Developed by KEO International on behalf of Abu Dhabi Municipality, Mohammed Bin Zayed City is a US $ 7 Billion project with accommodation, commercial, retail and business related offerings. Expected to be finished by 2012, the project consists of developing; 349 residential towers with 30,000 apartments capable of accommodating 85,000 individuals; wide range of facilities such as health clubs, swimming pools, spas, retails, cafes and restaurants and will be having a built up area of 5.8 Million SQ M. (Zawya.com, 2011) Basically being aimed at underserved middle income group people, the project will also ensure financial benefits for the tower owners and is being considered as a sign of overall sustainability. (AMEinfo.com , 2009)

• YAS Island project: the US $ 40 Billion (approx) Yas Island project, developed by Aldar, is one of the biggest and most ambitious projects not only in the Middle East but across the whole globe, aiming to convert the island into one of the biggest leisure and entertainment destinations in the world. Initially started in 2006, the whole project will be executed in four phases and is expected to be finished by 2020 (though the initial claims were to finish the project by 2011). Out of the total area of 25 SQ KM of the Yas Island, 17 SQ KM will be used for the project. The project includes developing exciting avenues for entertainment; luxury hotels, resorts and spas; sports clubs; polo clubs; golf course and shopping centers (near about 300,000 SQ M will be utilized for retail purposes). The 1st phase of the construction is over and includes ; Yas Marina circuit, venue for world class motor race events and conducting Abu Dhabi grand prix since 2009; Ferrari world Abu Dhabi, world’s 1st Ferrari theme park (had been discussed above in details); Yas links golf club, a semi private, state of the art golf club set against the admirable beauty of Arabian gulf and is designed by world famous golf course architects Kylie Philips; a range of seven hotels with around 2000 rooms, including the exotic Yas Hotel which is half built in land and half built in water and Yas Marina yacht club, an exquisite yacht club (Yasisland.ae, 2011). There are various exciting future offerings such as; Warner Bros theme park, a joint venture between Warner Bros, Aldar properties and Abu Dhabi Media company, the project includes Multiplexes, hotels and film production unit beside the theme park; Yas Island water park,($) a water park developed over 16.4 hectares of land and having around 40 rides and many other exciting avenues where splendor and extravagance will blend with dynamism and adventure. (dubaifaqs.com, 2011)

Other than these extravagant projects, there are other end numbers of projects being executed in Abu Dhabi such as airport expansion plan, Abu Dhabi metro project and Al Ras Al Akhdar etc.,as a part of its vision 2030, the total worth of construction assignments in Abu Dhabi is estimated to be around US $ 563 Billion (ConstructionWeekOnline.com,2011) . In order to support its anticipated economic growth Abu Dhabi is seeking huge investments in infra structure projects and it is expected to see many such other state of art projects being executed in the nearby future.

# This blog had been devoted for some of the large construction projects of Abu Dhabi, some subsequent blog will be dealing with the other Emirate, Dubai.

$: the water park project had been awarded to UAE based developer, Alec, Its a 165 Million US dollar project , commencing on February and expected to be finsihed with in 18 months. (the point had been added after the blog was published)  

Reference:

1> Ferrariworldabudhabi.com, 2011, homepage, available at < http://www.ferrariworldabudhabi.com/en-gb.aspx >

2> AMEinfo.com, 2010, TDIC to transform Saadiyat Island into strategic global tourism destination, available at < http://www.ameinfo.com/83997.html >

3> AMEinfo.com, 2007, Abu Dhabi to get unique desert islands destinations, available at < http://www.ameinfo.com/118315.html >

4> Dessert Island.com, 2011, activities, available at http://www.desertislands.com/en/Content/mountain_ biking.aspx

5> Theemiratenetwork.com, AL-RAHA beach, available at < http://realestate.theemiratesnetwork.com/developments/abu_dhabi/al_raha_beach.php >

6> Constructionweekonline.com, 2009, AL Raha beach development, available at < http://www.constructionweekonline.com/projects-275-al_raha_beach_development/ >

7> Alreemisland.com (Official Website), 2011, available at < http://www.reemisland.com/ >

8> Zawya.com, 2011, Abu Dhabi Municipality: Mohammed Bin Zayed City, available at < http://www.zawya.com/projects/project.cfm/pid150708124446?cc >

9> AMEinfo.com, 2009, Mohammed Bin Zayed City Towers sets example for sustainable communities, available at < http://www.ameinfo.com/184337.html >

10> Yasisland.ae, 2011, attractions, available at < http://www.yasisland.ae/attractions/yas-gateway-park/>

11> Dubaifaqs.com, 2011, Yas Island leisure destination in Abu Dhabi, available at < http://www.dubaifaqs.com/yas-island.php >

12> ConstructionWeekOnline.com, 2011, $563bn worth of construction projects in Abu Dhabi, available at http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-11191-563bn-worth-of-construction-projects-in-abu-dhabi/