Nakheel to redevelop Jebel Ali Village

The redevelopment of Jebel Ali Village has been planned to address a strong need for quality housing for a broad spectrum of the community with convenient access to existing and proposed facilities in the immediate area such as Ibn Battuta Mall and the proposed Dubai Metro stations.

Jebel Ali Village will offer a range of medium density housing options with supporting commercial and community retail services and all the amenities necessary for community living, including school, convenience retail, community club and recreation areas.

A number of the existing facilities will remain as part of the redeveloped masterplan such as the Mosque and popular Jebel Ali Recreational Club, which will remain open during its expansion and refurbishment. The central park will also be extended to provide 12 hectares of useable space and a wide range of facilities within a landscaped environment. The redevelopment will take in the area of Jebel Ali Primary School and Nakheel initiated discussions with the school's Board of Governors several months ago regarding the development of a new school to service the area. It is Nakheel's intention to arrange for the establishment of the new school before the old school is closed with all students receiving priority right of entry.

Construction work will begin on the existing Jebel Ali Village in late 2008 with the entire project expected to take five years to complete. Preliminary earthworks are scheduled to begin on the vacant area of land that surrounds the development in the coming months; however, residential and community facilities will remain unaffected as a result of these works.

Mohammed Rashed, Director, Jebel Ali Village, said:

"The area on which Jebel Ali Village now stands marked the hill where Sheikh Rashid, Father of Dubai, once stood and proclaimed his vision for the Jebel Ali Port in the early 1970s. This area has played a significant role in the history and growth of Dubai and Nakheel is proud to be redeveloping this important area as part of Dubai's vision for the future.

"Dubai is growing rapidly as a global residential, tourist and business destination and this means we must always consider the creation of more accessible developments to make better use existing and planned infrastructure and amenities for our growing population. Jebel Ali Village will be redeveloped and revitalized to take advantage of this enhanced infrastructure and provide a range of much needed accommodation in close proximity to Sheikh Zayed Road, Jebel Ali Port and Free Zone, and the proposed Dubai World Central airport.

"It is also our intention to maintain the strong community feel that has been vital to the development's success by retaining the Jebel Ali Village name and many of the facilities such as the recreational club, park and mosque, which have served the community so well over the years."

To ensure that tenants have sufficient time to make arrangements for relocation, current tenancy agreements have been extended at the current passing rent to provide a notification period of one year.

Mohammed Rashed added:

"Nakheel will do all it can to assist tenants in finding alternative accommodation. We have given a full year's notice and will also be offering tenants the opportunity to purchase or rent in the redeveloped Jebel Ali Village. For those interested, priority reservation will also be given in the immediate area at Nakheel's Discovery Gardens and Garden View Villas developments, and further a-field at International City."