Memon Group breaks ground on AED 75 million Champions Tower I at Dubai Sports City

Senior company officials including Abu Baker Shaikhani, Chairman, Memon Group; U Balasubramaniam, CEO, Dubai Sports City; Ahmed Shaikhani, Managing Director, Memon Group; Majed Al Suwaidi, Chairman, MHC; Ahmed Sattar, Executive Director, Memon Investments; and Rahmathullah Khan, CEO & Partner, MHC, attended the ceremony.

The groundbreaking follows the recent awarding of a construction contract to Majed Hilal Contracting (MHC), who has plotted an ambitious construction schedule, which involves the implementation of the latest engineering techniques to ensure timely delivery of the tower in early 2008.

Speaking at the groundbreaking, Ahmed Shaikhani, said: "Today is indeed a proud day for the Memon Group as our dreams turn into reality with this groundbreaking ceremony. Ever since we heard about the conceptualization of Dubai Sports City, we were keen on being involved with this development since it represented a novel concept and perfectly complemented our strategy and plans for the region. We look forward to working closely with our partners and contractors to offer our investors a one-of-a-kind residential tower that offers world-class luxuries."

Champions Tower I, a freehold residential tower being built on a 31,484 square feet plot at DSC, is the Memon Group's first project in the Middle East and construction of the tower is expected to be complete in early 2008. The construction schedule has been divided into three phases - Sub-structure, Super Structure and Finishing - and the contractors are currently appointing leading industry names to partner in the construction process. The first phase, which is expected to take 6 months to complete, will involve shoring, excavation, waterproofing, piling and construction of the raft foundation.

"The Memon Group is one of the developers in the Middle East who have embraced the Dubai Sports City concept and this is evident through their Champions Tower I and Champions Tower II projects which they have launched. I wish them all the best for these landmark projects," said U Balasubramaniam, CEO, Dubai Sports City.

Majed Hilal Contracting who were recently awarded the contract for the construction of Champions Tower I, have assembled a team comprising Project Managers, Project & Site Engineers, Fire & Safety Consultants and other industry experts to ensure timely completion of the tower. The construction process will involve Post-Tensioning using high-strength steel bars to provide reinforcement for the concrete slabs, which ensures thinner slabs, fewer beams and the ability to add slender, dramatic elements to the architecture of the building. Further, since the process requires thinner slabs or lesser concrete, it translates into a significant reduction in building weight compared to a conventional concrete building with the same number of floors.

Rahmathullah Khan, Majed Hilal Contracting, said, "Champions Tower I, designed to reflect a sporting trophy, epitomizes the architectural excellence and vision of the Memon Group, and we are committed towards completion and delivery in early 2008. Our team of experts have been handpicked to fully understand the challenges of constructing such a tower and we are now all set to get the first phase of the construction process going at full pace."

Champions Tower I, which has already been sold out, is a 14-storey tower offering a total of 130 units with the choice of studios, one, two, and three bedroom apartments, and a penthouse, each with its own magnificent views and fine architecture. Located within Dubai Sports City, the tower offers an unparalleled range of activities for the family by benefiting from the secure and gated community of DSC that will feature schools, parks, mosques, sports, entertainment and recreation facilities. The tower offers its residents facilities including a large swimming pool, spa, sauna and jacuzzi, fully equipped state-of-the-art gymnasiums, two-level basement parking, 24-hour security, indoor games room, 3 high-speed elevators and super connectivity through Broadband.