Dubai Festival City's residential centrepiece on schedule

The 500 apartment centerpiece residence building is being constructed by Al Futtaim Carillion LLC., in conjunction with Australian Architects Marazaki FBK, and involves a workforce of over 2,700.

"Progress is on track with one floor being added each week," said Phil McArthur, Director, Marketing & Leasing, Dubai Festival City. "The entire structure will be finished in the last quarter of 2006.

"This will be a striking asset for Dubai's ever evolving skyline and a focal point for the 'Marsa Al Khor' development."

Over 300 of the exclusive apartments will be available for lease, though the tower will also house 200 serviced residences to be managed by the five-star InterContinental Group.

These stylish hi-rise apartments will make up the InterContinental Residences, available on annual leases and giving tenants access to the 424 room InterContinental Dubai Festival City and the destination's world-class leisure, retail and entertainment facilities.

The Master Planning for the proposed 245,000 square metre Marsa Al Khor community is designed to capture the spirit and atmosphere of some of the world's finest waterfront lifestyle destinations, including Cape Town's Waterfront and Sydney Harbour.

Creating an integrated Corniche community for up to 14,000 people, Marsa Al Khor will have breathtaking hi-rise towers, stylish Creekside offices, a Central Park, exclusive waterfront homes, state-of-the-art offices and an array of chic cafes and restaurants. A 300 room boutique hotel fronting the centrepiece Quay will also feature with the announcement of the operator expected to be announced in February.

Marsa Al Khor will also offer a stunning choice of homes - from stylish waterfront condominiums and penthouses to up-scale luxury apartments creating a discerning community which will benefit from a range of neighbourhood amenities and eateries, all with awe-inspiring vistas.

And with over 2.5 million square feet of Gross Leaseable Area (GLA), the three Marsa Al Khor commercial districts will attract some of the world's leading multi-nationals, NGOs and Corporations. Designed in a tiered format to deliver as many waterfront views as possible, the districts have at their heart the Central Park, where striking high-rise towers are set amongst landscaped gardens and cooling water features. Serviced by ground level cafes and shops, the towers will have ample underground parking.

"The signature Marsa Al Khor development will leverage its unique location and deliver an active waterfront environment. In concept, Marsa Al Khor will be a first for Dubai and will bring the soul of the city back to the Creek,"

said McArthur.