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Dubai no doubt is attracting more investment opportunities
in all sectors. The all round development is keeping even small players in good
business. The pace at which the infrastructure is growing has construction
companies on their toes. At HEE we relate our growth parallel to Dubai. The
latest development is the project going on in the Palms, the Emirates Palace
Residential and Hotel Project, which is being managed by Kempinski, Europe’s
oldest luxury hotel group. The Palm is the world’s largest man-made island and
its form celebrates the date palm, of vital importance to the region since
centuries. Already visible from outer space, the island is a landmark for the
Emirate of Dubai and will become one of the regions most sought after
destination.
Owned by Sunrise Properties Ltd and Sunny Beach Properties Ltd, and managed by
WS Atkins and Partners Overseas, the seven-storey classically styled building
will feature an imposing Palladian dome and will be surrounded by luxuriant
landscaped gardens. The 200 exclusive residences range in size from 165 to
1300m2, including spacious terraces or balconies. First class facilities include
access to the 500m long private beach, a state-of-the-art fitness centre and
spa, open to residents and guests, a business centre, several restaurants and an
international shopping arcade. The hotel is set in the same grounds as the
residences and will also enjoy these facilities. The hotel will be one of the
most luxurious on The Palm when it opens in 2009. Its unique design ensures that
all 250 rooms face the sea for unparalleled views.
The Project Director, Wissam Charif Atoui. A man with a lot of expertise, Wissam
himself is very enthusiastic about the project. As he said, ”the project
consists of a combination of apartment buildings, villas and a hotel. With a
contract value of AED 857 million, and a total built-up area of just under
200,000 sqm, the project is mainly horizontal and has a huge footprint. The
construction activities will take place in two phases. The first phase will
include the apartments and the villas and the second would include the hotel.
Technically the buildings consist of the basement, ground floor, six floors, a
lower roof and an upper roof and finally the domes, for a total area of just
under 100,000 sqm. The twenty villas will cover a total area of approximately
23,000 sqm. The hotel specifications include the basement, a lobby, the ground
floor, five floors, the roof and the domes, and will cover a total area of
approximately 73,000 sqm. Definitely a challenging task, but HEE known for its
expertise in similar large scale requirements, is confident it will meet the
scheduled time-frame of twenty-one months. Construction of the hotel should
commence within the next 6 months”.
Some of the other interesting aspects of the project were the design elements.
It has a renaissance architectural style that seems to transcend you to an era
of mystic beauty and a passion for aesthetics. Among the external and finishing
works HEE will also be taking care of the landscaping and related facilities.
The projectis located at the Crescent of the Palm Jumeirah on Plot C11 and C12.
When asked about the team deployed for this project, Wissam stated that he was
proud of his team-members who were all well skilled and highly talented
engineers with varied adeptness. “The people behind any activity are the real
heroes behind its success. Their skills, knowledge and efficiency work in direct
ratio to their achievements. I am very happy with my team size at the moment.
However, when construction activities reach its peak, we expect to reach upto
3,000 workers and staff. By then the momentum will soar high and output would
also multiply. I am also pleased with our Client and Consultants who are not
only professionals but very pleasant to work with. The more challenging the
assignment the more it triggers your mind. I like to focus more on solutions,
rather than dwell on issues”.
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