Nakheel and Al Naboodah pair up for Jumeirah Golf Estates

This Enabling Works package comprises initial earthworks to rough grade the first section of the site and the Greg Norman designed Fire and Earth golf courses, together with provision of site office accommodation and associated utilities.

Located off the Emirates Road between Dubai Sports City and the Green Community, the golf and residential community will boast four environmentally themed 18-hole courses - Earth, Fire, Water, and Wind - that mirror the elements of nature and integrate with distinct gated communities, featuring a variety of investment opportunities, amenities and services.

The development will be built in phases, with the Earth and Fire courses and their surrounding residences being built first, followed by Vijay Singh's Water course and then the Wind course. Earth and Fire are expected to open in late 2007 with the first residents moving in mid 2008. The long term build out strategy will see construction being completed in 2012 in four phases.

Ms. Dina Al Jaflah, General Manager of Jumeirah Golf Estates, said: 'This award relates to Phase A of the development, which occupies approximately 375 hectares of the northern section of the site. Phase A will ultimately contain the first two golf courses, Fire and Earth, which are designed by Greg Norman; golf clubhouse and country club; approximately 946 serviced villa lots; and all associated infrastructure. The total construction budget for all Phase A works is around AED 1 billion.

'We are delighted to have a firm of the calibre and reputation of Al Naboodah working with us on this project, and are very reassured that these crucial first steps are in safe hands.'

Steve Lever, Group Assistant Managing Director for Al Naboodah, said: 'Al Naboodah has been involved in golf course construction in the UAE for nearly 20 years and is proud to be associated with Nakheel and their team on this prestigious new development.'

Established in 1975, Al Naboodah Contracting Company has achieved a notable record in the field of civil construction. From a modest beginning Al Naboodah has developed and expanded its activities to the point where it now has considerable expertise and experience in a wide variety of specialist and general civil engineering fields. Al Naboodah has successfully completed more than 650 multi discipline contracts embracing airport development, golf course design and construction, marinas, dams and major earthworks projects. These are in addition to its core field of activities, which include roadworks, bridgeworks, drainage and utility works.