Construction commences of first three towers at Dubai Marina

Construction work has now commenced on the three northern towers and 2-storey podium which will take 24 months to complete and be ready prior to the IMF and World Bank Conference in 2003.

The contract for the north half of Phase 1 is worth more than Dhs. 500 million and other major sub contractors on the project include Concrete Technology, ETA, York, ETA Melco and Cox International. The almost identical south half of the project will be awarded before the end of the year which will complete the significant 3.5 million square foot complex.

The project involves the building of the 41-storey Al Murjan Tower, 34-storey Al Mass and 26-storey Fairooz towers that will total 569 apartments. It also includes constructing 34 villas and a two-storey podium that will contain parking for about 1000 cars, a fitness centre and space for 20 retail outlets including restaurants.

EMAAR Properties Chairman Mr. Mohamed Alabbar said: "The awarding of this major contract and the start of construction represents a major landmark in the development of Dubai Marina and the creation of the first "intelligent" city in the Middle East.

"We are creating a truly world-class project that is proving a breakthrough in the real estate market in Dubai and we have already sold over 370 apartments off the plan. Now construction is underway the people of Dubai will be able to see and fully appreciate the scale and ambition of this new and exciting community development."

The entire Phase 1 building complex when completed will be home for up to 3,500 people. Each tower has its own private swimming pool and residents will also have access to a privately operated Children's Nursery and Fitness Centre with its own external lap pool.

Mr. Alabbar added that he was pleased to be working with Nasa Multiplex and Al Futtaim Tarmac because they have a reputation for getting the job done on time to the world-class quality that EMAAR expects and within budget.

At the peak of construction work over 3000 men will be employed on site involved in the placing of 100,000 cubic metres of concrete and 17,000 tonnes of reinforcement.
The Nasa Multiplex/Al Futtaim Tarmac Joint Venture brings together the complementary international and local skills required to undertake this project.

Nasa Multiplex is a partnership comprising H. E. Nasser Abdulla Hussain Lootah's Nasa group of companies and Multiplex Construction, Australia's largest commercial building contractor. They have proven their expertise for over 40 years, specialising in high rise apartment, hotel and office complexes and been responsible for some of the world's premier projects including the Sydney 2000 Olympic Stadium and the Emirates Towers in Dubai.

Al Futtaim Tarmac, jointly owned by the local Al Futtaim Trading Group and the British construction to services company Carillion, have been providing high quality construction services to the Dubai market for over 35 years.

The company is known for a solid reputation in quality and safety issues and have undertaken numerous landmark projects in Dubai including Deira City Centre and the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry building.

The earthworks and quay walls to the new Marina as well as the substructures of the tower project at Dubai Marina have already been undertaken by Al Futtaim Tarmac.

Dubai Marina is one of five world-class developments by EMAAR Properties in Dubai that also include Emirates Hills, The Lakes, The Gold and Diamond Park and the "Old Dubai" project.

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