Sorouh's impressive Sky Tower on track for completion late 2009

Due for completion by late 2009 the company's rapid progress on the 74 storey tower is clearly visible.

Sky Tower, part of the Gate District development in Shams, Abu Dhabi, was launched by Sorouh Real Estate in April last year, and is designed by internationally renowned architectural firm Arquitectonica. The elliptical shaped Sky Tower will rise to an awe-inspiring 300 metres once completed and will provide outstanding opportunities to own residential and commercial property at the most prestigious address in the UAE's capital city.

Mounir D. Haidar, CEO for Sorouh Real Estate, said: "As work on the superstructure continues, Sorouh will maintain its focus on delivering quality work. For over 8 months now, the Sky Tower has progressed on or ahead of schedule. All three basements of the tower have been completed. Work has now finished on the core walls of the ground floor and the ground floor slab was poured last week. An Automatic Climbing Formwork system is being used to enhance the efficiency and increase the speed at which each floor will be finished. As promised, Sorouh is on track to open the doors to its offices and residences by late 2009."

In June this year, the cement pouring of the first and second half of the Sky Tower raft foundation had occurred marking a significant milestone for the Sky Tower. A total of 8,000 cubic meters of concrete was poured into the foundations of this landmark project and had taken place exactly on schedule.

Arab Construction Company (ACC) -the contractor which was awarded the AED 2.3bn contract to build Sky Tower and its sister Tower -will spend about 7 days pouring the concrete for each floor, with at least 3 days in between to prepare each floor for upcoming pours. Preparation involves the installation of mechanical pipe sleeves, welded wire fabric reinforcement, electrical conduits and welded perimeter closure angles.

This month, construction for the podium is underway, and building of the foundation of the raft for the underground parking below the podium has begun. On part of the podium, a community mall will include a supermarket, banks, pharmacy, barber and beauty salon, travel agent, jewellery and fashion outlets and a music and book shop.

As part of an exclusive range of amenities, designed to provide 'life in perfect balance,' the Sky Tower podium will boast a 145,000 sq ft retail mall and also host an exceptionally large sports and leisure facility covering the entire podium deck featuring a state of the art gym, several swimming pools, tennis courts, squash courts, spa and more.

"We are thrilled to see the Sky Tower progress on schedule. We promised our investors and shareholders that we would surpass their expectations by offering quality, efficiency and on time delivery. We are on target to do just that," concluded Haidar.