I&M Galadari Group to develop Dubailand's downtown

The funds have been committed by leading Dubai-based promoters, the I&M Galadari Group, which have taken on the creation of what will eventually emerge as the region's greatest social centre.

An agreement to this effect was signed in Dubai between the I&M Galadari Group and Dubai Tourism Development Company (DTDC), which is overseeing the development, management and regulation of the AED 20 billion overall Dubailand project. Ilyas Galadari and Mustafa Galadari, signed on behalf of I&M Galadari Group with Mohammed Al Gergawi, Chairman of the Board of Dubai Development and Investment Authority.

"The downtown will be the entry point and the key to Dubailand, which encompasses an area of 2 billion square feet and will be the largest, state-of-the-art and most creative lifestyle development seen in this region if not the world," said Al Gergawi.

"And of this most ambitious tourism, leisure and entertainment project, the downtown will be its heart and soul. It will be the centre, the social hub where everyone can come together to meet, entertain, dine and shop" Al Gergawi pointed out.

20 million sq. ft.
"20 million square feet of prime land within Dubailand has been reserved for the downtown in conjunction with the projections of a footfall of 200,000 a day when the project is fully operational," added the DDIA Chairman.

The 4 billion AED Downtown will be completed over a period of 10 years and will serve as the centre point of Dubailand, centralizing the six themed worlds in an atmosphere of luxury, entertainment and splendour.

"The iconic status of The Downtown area and the fact that its the center point that brings together all sections of Dubailand, necessitated the need to be extremely wise in the choice of developer.

"The downtown will be the entry point of Dubailand and one of the main greeting points for the Dubailand visitor thus the need to have an icon that provides not only a lasting impression, but also something that can generate a feeling of anticipation and excitement of things to come. I believe we have found the right partner in the I&M Galadari Group," Al Gergawi said.

Dubailand was announced in October 2003 by His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence, and envisaged over 45 themed leisure and entrainment projects, some of which have already been announced. The downtown area will cover a stretch of two kilometers along the southern side of the Emirates Road, which is the centre point of Dubailand.

"The downtown will comprise of innovative design treatments allowing for features that blend with the openness most downtown areas lack. This is achieved by the harmony that disperses high-density commercial spaces with water and landscaped features that allow for an urban feel," said Salem bin Dasmal, CEO of DTDC.

Phased construction
The project development will span over a series of phases, with further aspects covering commercial and residential features being revealed throughout the development of the downtown, he added.

Ilyas Galadari of IMG Management Investment and Development Company, said: "We aim to be part of the future vision of Dubai, and the downtown with the largest mall in the world "The Mall Of Arabia", is designed to be part of creating that future today."

"Careful thought has been given to the planning of a project of this size, as developing a downtown for a new city is always a complex and delicate task. However we are certain that not only are we building a landmark for Dubailand, we are building one for the future of Dubai" he added.