Dubai Festival City
http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/content/home_page.html
Another “City within a City” This one is A creek side
SIZE: 1,600 acres
ZONES as I know them
1. Automotive Center
2. Water Front Residentiual
3. Office Park
4. Festival Center Retail park
5. Community Facilities
6. Highway Retail and Nursery
7.
8. Festival Center
9. Landmark Hotel
10. Hillside Residential
11. Al Badia Golf Course and Residential Development and Resort
12 . Moderate High Density Residential Development
13.
14. Comunity Services
15. Festival Village


more Details to follow

Dubai Festival City spans over 1,600 acres on the banks of Dubai's historic Creek and is the Middle East's largest mixed-use real estate project. The development will comprise a unique mix of entertainment, dining, shopping, edutainment, sport and leisure facilities, automotive dealerships, hotels, a marina, residential and office components. For sporting enthusiasts, an 18-hole championship golf course, designed by world renowned golf course designer Robert Trent Jones II , and other world class sporting facilities are also being incorporated in the project.

The Al-Futtaim Group, a leading business house in the Middle East region, is privately funding the development. Comprising over forty businesses, the Al-Futtaim Group has established itself over the past seventy years as a world class company, employing over 10,000 people. Today the Group operates across a diverse range of activities ranging from Automotive, Electronics, Retail, Insurance, Civil Engineering, Computing, Home Furnishings, Hardware, Advertising, Engineering, Ship Repair and Steel Fabrication to Real Estate & Property Development.

The project has the endorsement of the Government of Dubai, and enjoys the full backing of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defense Minister.

Dubai Festival City was officially launched in 2001. By the mid of 2004 the development's first phase will be ready. This will include the 18-hole championship golf course, designed by world renowned golf course designer Robert Trent Jones II, and 300 adjacent residential units.

Dubai Festival City will be a densely populated residential and business area within the city of Dubai. As such, it will continue to evolve even after completion of the project's final phase


SHOPPING

The Boulevard

The main retail feature of The Festival Centre with 20 iconic international flagship stores, creating a unique high street address for Dubai.

The CRESCENT

A world-class shopping venue with over 200 stores, visitors will be spoilt for choice. There are specialized merchandising precincts which are a progression from the flagship stores in The Boulevard.

Canal Walk

A navigable water street, with water taxis transporting guests to over 50 restaurants, cafes and shops along the canal.

Waterfront Pavilions

Featuring the first festival waterfront market place in Dubai, with 4 themed pavilions and over 100 shops and kiosks, each bringing with them totally different yet memorable experiences for visitors to discover.

Dubai Festival City completes retail leasing team recruitment
http://www.ameinfo.com/news/Detailed/38731.html

Dubai Festival City, the 'city-within-a-city' under construction on the banks of Dubai Creek, has completed recruitment of its retail leasing team ahead of foundation laying for its multi-level, 2,500,000 square foot entertainment, hospitality and retail super-centre - The Waterfront.

The Waterfront, the main retail project within Dubai Festival City, will open in September 2006 and have five distinct retail zones, including a value retail centre with a 280,000 square foot IKEA store, a 200,000 square foot international hypermarket and 350 line shops and 'The Boulevard' with 10 iconic international flagship retailers

http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/new_golf_imgs/gallery/pic1.jpg

The first residential units on the Dubai Festival City Golf Course are due for completion in January 2004. When complete, over 3000 residential units will be built on the golf course. These will include fairway apartments and luxury villas.

http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/new_golf_imgs/gallery/pic2.jpg

The life-style residential offering will be integrated into the layout of the golf course, optimising views over the course, the lakes and the landscape. It will provide a unique alternative living style for Dubai and the Gulf.

http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/new_golf_imgs/gallery/pic3.jpg

The design is rich in water features and lush with plants indigenous to the Arabian Gulf. It sculpts a course that integrates with Dubai Festival City's superb waterfront environment.

http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/new_golf_imgs/gallery/Chrysler-low-res2.jpg

Trading Enterprises, the UAE distributor for leading US automotive brands Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep have announced they will have a radically-designed showroom at Dubai Festival City, the Middle East’s largest mixed-use real estate project. The Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep facility will be unique in the emirate with a permanent static display where the brands’ off-road capabilities can be demonstrated to the full.

http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/new_golf_imgs/gallery/lexus_toyota.jpg

Al Futtaim Motors, the sole distributor of Toyota & Lexus in the UAE have taken the state of the art showrooms in Dubai Festival City

http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/new_golf_imgs/gallery/DFC-MasterPlan.jpg

http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/new_golf_imgs/cresent/court-pan-final.jpg

http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/albadia/clubHousePic2BG.jpg

Dubai Festival City is a unique waterfront 'mixed-use real estate project being developed in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Spanning approximately 1,600 acres, the project is set to transform the shopping, living, leisure and working lifestyles in Dubai. When completed, upwards of 75,000 people will live, work and play within the development.

More info and photos to be found on www.dubaifestivalcity.com

anotehr 75000 people and its says Jan 2004 Guess they are little behind but the first stage willopen very soon

Add for this project... sorry for the bad quality

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/sahmad/festivaladd2.JPG

Right outside the construction site....

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/sahmad/Festivaladd.JPG

is there any sales center? if yes, please tell me!!! :)

AL BADIA GOLF RESORT CLUBHOUSE TAKES SHAPE
Sunday, August 15, 2004


Groundbreaking and foundation works have begun on the strikingly designed clubhouse at the Al Badia Golf Resort, part of the Dubai Festival City ‘city-within-a-city’ development on the banks of Dubai Creek.

Prominently located overlooking the 9th and 18th greens of the Robert Trent Jones II designed, 18-hole championship golf course, the clubhouse promises to add to Dubai’s growing international reputation for outstanding and iconic architecture .

“The clubhouse is a significant feature of the Al Badia Golf Resort,” said Roger Morris, General Manager of the Al Badia Golf Resort. ”Its location will give stunning views across the golf course, to the Creek, and on to the iconic skyline of Sheikh Zayed Road and beyond.”

Designed by international design consultants Wimberley Allison, Tong & Goo (WATG), the clubhouse is wrapped in a spiral form with golden roofs, stone and blue glass culminating in a central atrium with an interior oasis. The lower roofs sweeping around the terrace and the surrounding palm trees providing shade perfectly complement the Al Badia theme – ‘Land Of The Bedouins’.

“The concept for the clubhouse design came from the Dubai Festival City logo,” said Morris. “The challenge was to create a stunning building that served as both a clubhouse for golfers, and a desirable sociable destination for non-golfers.”

“The Al Badia clubhouse will feature a number of indoor and outdoor amenities including restaurants, lounges, pro shop and banqueting facilities. The surrounding terrace will offer numerous unique vantage points from which to enjoy the dramatic views of Dubai, making it an attractive venue for an evening out.”

The 7320 yards, par 72 course, rich in water features and lush with plants indigenous to the Arabian Gulf, will be ready for invitational play in November and public play in January 2005.

The Al Badia Golf Resort will also include a golf academy, executive town homes and apartments.

“The first phase of residential offerings at Al Badia Golf Resort is now complete and residents have recently moved in. The beginning of construction of the clubhouse means we are on-track for the development of the Al Badia Golf Resort as one of the premier golf destinations in the Emirates,” concluded Morris.

http://www.ayuplanet.com/dxblover/Festival City/Al Badia Golf Club House.jpg

AF Carillion makes a start on DFC crescent


Al-Futtaim Carillion has been awarded the main contract for the construction of the initial waterfront component of Dubai Festival City. The Dhs 1.2 billion construction contract is for the Creekside retail, hospitality and entertainment facility.

The project on the banks of the Creek, has a capital value in excess of Dhs 3 billion comprises a number of components including retail and marine facilities, an interconnected value retail offering, the new high-rise five star InterContinental Hotel, a soon to be announced four star hotel and a high-rise office complex. The combined total built-up area of the facilities in this initial phase exceeds 6 000 000 m2 with an additional provision for undercover parking that will accommodate 8000 cars.

The 180 000 m2 retail centre will be the focal point of Dubai Festival City’s various lifestyle destinations and will house in excess of 400 retail outlets, cafes and restaurants. The centre will be home to approximately 20 international flagship retailers, leading into a three-level enclosed retail environment, which will be complimented by unique restaurants, cafes and entertainment venues.

“We are creating a world-class ‘down-town’ waterfront destination and to achieve this objective, we are in the process of contracting a range of leading construction companies to join with the owners in making this exciting ‘city-within-a-city’ a reality,” said Phil McArthur, Director of Marketing and Leasing for Dubai Festival City.

“In bidding for this first major building contract, Carillion demonstrated its capability to provide the necessary experience through its international and local operations to align with our requirements and expectations.”

The initial excavations for the centre are virtually complete and structural foundation work is underway, which comprises two levels of basement parking and support foundations for three levels of leasing area above ground.

The completion of this phase and the superstructure works are being fast-tracked to be finished by the end of 2005, for the centre’s opening in the third quarter of 2006.

“The centre will be a fascinating structure to observe under construction. The entire building is crescent-shaped – designed to curve around the man-made marina; it will rise out of the ground just like a fan, opening alongside the Creek,” said McArthur.

Activity
Commuters crossing Al-Garhoud Bridge will be aware of the activity taking place on the Dubai Festival City site due to the highly visible piling equipment punctuating the skyline.
“This activity will increase as structural work begins to rise from the ground and the first leisure destination at the heart of DFC becomes a reality. DFC’s centreplace retail, entertainment and hospitality centre will be one of Dubai’s most exciting destinations that residents and visitors alike will experience,” concluded

Courtesy of -www.contractjournal.com-

Carillion wins £175m United Arab Emirates contract

Carillion has won a £175m contract through its Middle East joint venture, for the construction of a multi-level retail, entertainment and hospitality centre in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The centre is part of a showpiece £450m waterfront development situated on the Dubai Festival City development, a multi-billion pound mixed-use project along Dubai’s historic Creek.

The initial phase of the Dubai Festival City development includes new retail and marine facilities, a new high-rise five-star InterContinental Hotel, a soon to be announced four-star hotel and a high-rise office complex. Under-cover parking for 8,000 cars will also be provided.

The initial deep excavations for the centre are virtually complete and structural foundation work is underway, which comprises two levels of basement parking and the support foundations for three levels of leasing area above ground.

The completion of this phase and the superstructure works are being fast-tracked to be finished by the end of 2005, for the centre’s opening in the third quarter of 2006.




1 Sep 2004 12:18

oops, we have a festival city thread in project development!!

trances, please merge them! :)

oops, we have a festival city thread in project development!!

trances, please merge them! :)

What has actually been completed at DFC? I know some of the residential houses are finished, but I dunno if people actually live there yet

the al badia golf club apartments are close to completion i've read!

Al Badia Golf Club makes the news again
but end of next year seems like while off !
19th hole is to be ready to play by end of next year

Construction of the clubhouse at Al Badia Golf Resort’s is now entering a new phase. Groundbreaking and foundation works that began earlier in the summer are now complete and enabling works are set to start. Construction Week finds out how the project is progressing.

http://www.itp.net/pictures/features/Clubhouse%20Body.jpg

Sitting on a ridge of high land, the Al Badia Clubhouse overlooks the 9th and 18th greens of the now complete golf course. The 7320 yards (6693 m), par 72 course is set for invitational play in November, followed by public play in January next year. The clubhouse is now advancing and will be ready for use in late next year.
significant

“The clubhouse is a significant feature of the Al Badia Golf Resort,” said Roger Morris, general manager of the Al Badia Golf Resort. ”Its location will give stunning views across the golf course, to the Creek, and on to the iconic skyline of Sheikh Zayed Road and beyond.”

The clubhouse will also serve as a meeting point for the residents of the villas next to the golf course. The first phase of these villas was rolled out in May.

The Newport Beach office of Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo working with local designers Rice Perry Ellis designed the building. The original brief provided by the developers requested an iconic building that tells a story and features a mix of modern and traditional elements. “They wanted an iconic structure that would serve the community and become a focal point for Dubai Festival City,” says Ian Ohan, development manager, Dubai Festival City.

The early designs mimicked the Dubai Festival City logo with its spiral atrium and academy extending out past the driving range. Realising this the decision was taken to fully incorporate it as a central element of the design. The designers achieved this by using a combination of different coloured cladding and roofing materials and specialist architectural lighting so that the building clearly resembles the logo.

The spiral atrium at the building’s centre creates some interesting cross sections through the building as it swerves through it and runs along the ridge that the clubhouse sits on. The logo is completed with water features, including a weir running down the back of the clubhouse, that flanks the spiral of the building’s entrance.

The building itself is quite extensive and spreads over three levels. The entry level will have a professional shop, public restroom facilities, a function room for golf events and a number of food and beverage outlets including an upscale casual dining area. There will also be a private dining room wrapping 270 degrees around the large terrace area.

The extensive locker room facilities and back of house operations will be on the basement level. “The locker room facilities are also going to be quite interesting. In the men’s locker room there will be a plunge pool, sauna, steam room, whirlpool, massage treatment room, and two VIP suites for visiting dignitaries. There will be a similar set up in the women’s locker room,” says Ohan.

On the top floor there will be the owner’s suite that can also be used as a majilis level for private functions overlooking the golf course, creek and the Dubai skyline. It can also be converted into a terrace. The general manager’s office will also be located on this level.

The academy building will overlook the driving range and will be a two level building. The top floor will have a spike bar and a small professional shop. On the lower floor there will be two swing rooms, the professional’s offices, a lounge, a staging area for launching golf events and some more food and beverage outlets in the cooler months. Both the clubhouse and the academy will be served by 200 individual parking spaces 100 of which will be a very short walking distance from the clubhouse.

Construction work has begun on site with piling works recently completed by Swissboring. Work is now set to start on the enabling works contract, which will prepare the site for the main contractor to build the main structure.

These works will run for about eight weeks before the main contract can begin. The tenders went out earlier this month and will close in a few weeks. “We are looking to have the main contractor start work onsite during October, with a completion date set for November 2005,” says Robert David, director design and construction, Dubai Festival City.

According to David the main contract will be quite a challenge for the main contractor. “The clubhouse is an iconic building and will have incredibly high quality finishes, both internally and externally,” he says.

The external finishes will be mostly specialised glass and aluminium cladding. The design changes throughout the building so there is very little repetition, which will mean that the cladding and glass panels will be constantly changing.

Concurrent with the construction of the Clubhouse is the design and/or construction of a number of other facilities comprising the cornice enhancement of approximately 4 km of shoreline to the Creek, the construction of a major retail centre, automobile showrooms, a number of international hotels and an international golf course, schools and infrastructure works covering in excess of 1600 acres, comprising the Dubai Festival City for the Al Futtaim Group.

http://www.itp.net/business/features/details.php?id=2061&category=construction

best detail if you dont wanna read the whoel thing
3 level club house of quality desgin to open in Sept next year and
The 7320 yards (6693 m), par 72 course will open for invitational play only in November this year. So sooner than i first though when quiclik read the article. Then followed by public play in January 2005. So whos up for a game

not sure if this is old news but
Dubai Festival City signs new hotel agreement with Four Seasons
The Al Futtaim Group, the developers behind the 1,600-acre Dubai Festival City project, has signed a letter of intent with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts to manage a luxury waterfront hotel at Dubai Festival City and oversee the Al Badia 18-hole championship golf course, clubhouse and associated amenities.

With an initial development cost estimated at Dhs. 700 Million, the Four Seasons Hotel Dubai will have 250 rooms and villas, a destination spa, five restaurants and a range of conference and banqueting facilities. The hotel is scheduled to open at the end of 2006.

http://www.ameinfo.com/news/Detailed/45438.html

this is great news! this one was formerly known only as an al futtaim project, and now four seasons! this maybe is the only luxurious hotel chain missing in dubai!

gotta check their website!

the course is supposed to be ready in december/january. hopefully i can play then!

i'd take my camera with me and take some construction pics! ;)

so your big golf player then
250 rooms is not a large hotel compared to some that are going up

right, but 4 seasons is more quality than quantity, so 250 is enough. there still is the 500 or 600 interconti

Dubai Festival City signs hotel deal with Four Seasons

Roy Paul, Senior Vice President – Development, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and Omar Al Futtaim shake on the Four Seasons Hotel Dubai agreement. (Press release)
The Al Futtaim Group, the developers of the 1,600 acre Dubai Festival City project has signed a letter of intent with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts to manage a luxury waterfront hotel at Dubai Festival City and oversee the Al Badia 18-hole championship golf course, clubhouse and associated amenities.

With an initial development cost estimated at Dh700 million, the Four Seasons Hotel Dubai will have 250 rooms and villas, a destination spa, five restaurants and a range of conference and banqueting facilities. The hotel is scheduled to open at the end of 2005, said a press release. (The Gulf Today)

some construction updates from the festival centre shopping mall

http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/galleryImages/Z8DSCF3063.jpg

http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/galleryImages/DSCF3073.jpg

http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/galleryImages/Zone8DSCF2436.jpg

http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/galleryImages/DSCF3140.jpg

http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/galleryImages/Zone8DSCF2554.jpg

http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/galleryImages/DSCF3079.jpg

nice pictures! that 2nd last picture is great!

this is how the al badia golf club will look like

residential area are slightly yellow, gold

http://www.ayuplanet.com/dxblover/Festival City/Al Badia Golf Club Map.jpg

how the interior could look like

http://www.albadiagolfresort.com/images/pix/residentialPic1BG.jpg

http://www.albadiagolfresort.com/images/pix/residentialPic2BG.jpg

http://www.albadiagolfresort.com/images/pix/residentialPic3BG.jpg

http://www.albadiagolfresort.com/images/pix/residentialPic4BG.jpg

http://www.albadiagolfresort.com/images/pix/residentialPic5BG.jpg

http://www.albadiagolfresort.com/images/pix/residentialPic6BG.jpg

http://www.albadiagolfresort.com/images/pix/residentialPic7BG.jpg

http://www.albadiagolfresort.com/images/pix/residentialPic13BG.jpg

a model of the golf club residential development

http://www.albadiagolfresort.com/images/pix/residentialPic8BG.jpg

http://www.albadiagolfresort.com/images/pix/residentialPic9BG.jpg

http://www.albadiagolfresort.com/images/pix/residentialPic10BG.jpg

http://www.albadiagolfresort.com/images/pix/residentialPic11BG.jpg

http://www.albadiagolfresort.com/images/pix/residentialPic12BG.jpg

MECSC delegates get taste of Dubai Festival City
Over 50 regional delegates from the recent Middle East Council of Shopping Centres' 10th annual convention were provided with a unique view of Dubai Festival City during a recent tour of the waterfront 'city-within-a-city' being built on the banks of Dubai Creek.

http://www.ameinfo.com/images/news/6/9646-mecsc.jpg
Dubai Festival City hosts MECSC delegates on the Bateaux Dubai.

Hosted to lunch on the spectacular 'Bateaux Dubai' sightseeing vessel, the delegates cruised up and down the Creek adjacent to the 1600-acre development. The MECSC delegates were also taken on a land tour of the site along with a multi-media project presentation from aboard the Dubai Festival City marketing barge.

'The response to the project from our peers has been very positive. It's important for our surrounding retail sector colleagues to know exactly what this project is all about,' said Phil McArthur, Director of Leasing and Marketing, Dubai Festival City.

'This unique waterfront destination and, in particular, its retail components, will create a point of differentiation amongst all the other developments currently underway in the emirate. Appealing to residents and visitors alike, Dubai Festival City will eventually accommodate over 75,000 people who will come to live, work and play in a world-class waterfront environment.'

Primary focus for the tour was given to the project's 1.9 million square feet Festival Centre, the waterfront retail, hospitality and entertainment destination at the heart of Dubai Festival City.

'I'm really impressed by the Dubai Festival City development. It really is a 'city within a city' and I can't wait to see it when it's all complete,' said Anas Mulla, Group Marketing Manager of Al Hokair, one of the largest retailers in Saudi Arabia.

Geoff Morrison, Managing Director of Concept I, an Asian-based design and architectural firm went even further, describing the project as a 'benchmark for Dubai'. 'Just the sheer scale of it is impressive. It truly is a unique development and nothing compares to it in the region,' he said.

When complete, The Festival Centre will provide world-class retail, entertainment and hospitality facilities; exclusive residential and office accommodation; and an extensive array of local and international retail brands. The first phase of the centre – 800,000 square feet of large format retail - will open in September 2005 and the remaining 1.1 million square feet will open 12-months later.

i was the first person reporting this project when it was proposed... there were no dubai forumers back then. that was almost 2 years ago, wow time flies by..

First villas of Dubai Creek project to be ready by January

Dubai: Construction of a Dh550 million residential and tourist complex on Dubai Creek is on in full swing.

The first batch of villas will be ready by January, officials involved with the construction, told Gulf News yesterday.

Once completed, the facility will have a 225 room resort hotel and an exclusive spa to be managed by Park Hyatt, while 92 four bedroom villas will overlook the golf course and creek. There will also be two club houses, an 18 hole golf course, eight restaurants, a marina, pools, extensive landscaping and gardens.

This is the third property to be managed by Hyatt International. With this, Dubai will have all three brands of Hyatt International - Grand Hyatt, Park Hyatt and Hyatt Regency.

Mirage Mille Leisure and Development Inc, a South African and UAE consultant, is supervising the development and completion of the masterplan, while the redevelopment of the golf course is being carried out in association with European Golf Design and Dubai based Ryder Cup star Thomas Bjorn.

Al Naboudah Contracting is carrying out the civil works at the golf course, while Bu Haleeba Contracting is building the resort hotel. The resort's contract value is about Dh203 million, according to the construction company. The mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) contract, valued at Dh52 million, has been awarded to Transgulf. Construction of the 92 villas, valued at Dh83 million, is being carried out by Convrgnt Value Engineering LLC.

"Once completed, Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club will become a popular destination for visitors, hotel guests, diners and golfers," said Rodney J. Bogg, managing director of Dubai Golf, which owns Dubai's three premier golf and leisure clubs Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, Emirates Golf Club and Nadd Al Sheeba Club.

"The design of the resort combines Arabian themes and modern architecture and creates a fine blend. In design and development of the resort, we wanted to create something different.

"Due to its prime location at the heart of the city, yet remaining so quiet and exclusive, we expect the entire facility to attract more visitors. Once completed, it will reinforce Dubai's reputation as a premier golfing destination in the region."

He said the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club has 250 members for the golf facility. "We have three different types of membership, including golf and marina. We restrict the golf club's membership to 250. The interest for golf is growing and there is a waiting list."

Dubai Golf is also carrying out improvement works at the Wadi Golf Course at Emirates Golf Club as well as developing a new clubhouse at the Nad Al Sheeba Club. The initial intent of this commission was to deliver a luxury five star hotel on the vacant land adjacent to the existing Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club.

"The overall development encapsulates the essence of Arabian architectural heritage, seamlessly integrated with the iconic Golf Club house and Boardwalk buildings. The property will become a truly unique destination within the heart of Dubai, offering a complete lifestyle experience in an urban resort environment," Mirage Mille said.

nice desnity and look for the res
look at all the water features there as well

Enrolment enquiries roll in as construction progresses on Dubai Festival City schools
Construction is progressing at a rapid pace on the building of two new schools at Dubai Festival City, the waterfront 'city-within-a-city' being built on the banks of Dubai Creek. Both schools will open in September 2005.

http://www.ameinfo.com/images/news/7/10567-ttwosc.jpg
The two Dubai Festival City schools (top left, American School; bottom right, British School).

Since announcing the schools last June, one of which will follow the British national curriculum and the second the American curriculum, Dubai Festival City has received a swathe of enrolment enquiries.

Educational Services Overseas Limited (ESOL), the management company appointed to operate the two schools is confident that they will provide Dubai Festival City residents and the larger Dubai public with student-centric international education of the highest standards.

Describing the schools' educational mission, Walid Abushakra, ESOL's CEO and the Superintendent of its schools, said: 'In these schools, as in other ESOL schools, parents can be rest-assured that their children are receiving an education that will prepare them for the challenges of the future.

'Our graduates should have all of the basic tools they need for success in today's global business-world, and they should also leave us with a strong sense of the values of citizenship.'

In addition to the standard British and American curricula, the schools will eventually offer more challenging programs to students at the higher grades. Students at the British school will have the option of pursuing the International Baccalaureate Diploma, or the British Baccalaureate once it is introduced. Students at the American school seeking a more challenging course of study will also have the option of pursuing the International Baccalaureate Diploma in addition to the American High School Diploma.

'One factor that is helping to drive interest in enrolments is the summer work-experience programmes that will be offered to the highest achievers, with students travelling abroad to work with some of the European and Japanese organisations that fall under the Al-Futtaim Group umbrella in the UAE,' explained Phil McArthur, Director Of Leasing and Marketing at Dubai Festival City.

Spacious, state–of-the-art facilities in each school will include a media centre, science and computer labs, art studios, music and lecture halls, swimming pools, gymnasiums and prayer rooms. Each school will also have extensive playgrounds and full-size soccer field encircled by a running track. The two schools can each accommodate up to 2,500 students from kindergarten to 12th grade.

ESOL currently manages schools in Egypt, Abu Dhabi, Cyprus, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Gaza, and is uniquely qualified to deliver high-quality international primary and secondary school education in Dubai.

During December 2004, ESOL will open an office at Dubai's Knowledge Village that will deal with enquiries about the schools. Until then, enrolment queries will be handled by ESOL representatives who will operate from Dubai Festival City's leasing office.

While the two new schools will be the first educational establishments at the 1600-acre Dubai Festival City project, discussions are already underway for the development of a nursery school to service the growing needs of its residents.

'Dubai Festival City will be a true waterfront community, and as such will contain all the facilities that would be found in a modern town or city environment; schools obviously being an important element,' said McArthur.

'The high educational standards offered at Dubai Festival City will enhance the community and help make it one of the most desirable neighbourhoods in Dubai.'

where did you find that article?

ameinfo.com
good source
http://www.ameinfo.com/news/Detailed/50423.html

great !

Dubai Festival City unveils retail future in presentation extravaganza

At one of Dubai's biggest ever gatherings of regional and international retailers, Dubai Festival City, the waterfront city-within-a-city being developed on the banks of Dubai Creek, this week unveiled its trend-setting Festival Centre – an expansive retail, entertainment and leisure destination.

Some 700 retailers representing regional and international brands were hosted at the spectacular event at the world-class project's site and welcomed by Omar Al Futtaim, CEO of Dubai Festival City's developer, the giant Al Futtaim Group.

They heard how the Festival Centre will take retailing in Dubai to new heights and when complete, in September 2006, will add over two million square feet of leaseable retail space to the emirate's buoyant retail landscape.

'It will be a totally new retail experience not only for Dubai but the entire region,' said Phil McArthur, Director, Leasing and Marketing, Dubai Festival City. 'It is a carefully planned mix of entertainment, lifestyle and retail featuring some of the world's most popular brands.'

Festival Centre's first phase, due to open in September 2005, will house the UAE's flagship IKEA linked to an internationally branded hypermarket via an atrium.

Just six months later an Ace Hardware store, garden centre and over 200,000 square feet of lifestyle home décor and family fashion retail will open. This second phase will also feature a variety of large format stores.

The third and final phase, opening September 2006, is almost completely committed after receiving tremendous interest from the regional and international retailing community.

'With its unmatched downtown waterfront setting, the Festival Centre will be a stunning destination, with ample car parking that ensures clear traffic flow – one of our major points of difference,' said McArthur. 'Another key differentiating factor will be its accessibility, aside from the current access off Garhoud Bridge; the new Ras Al Khor crossing will have two dedicated exit ramps into Festival Centre.'

To capture the festival spirit, the retail presentation was rounded off with dinner, spectacular entertainment from acrobats and jugglers while a stunning laser and fireworks show illuminated the entire construction site in a magnificent evening finale.

'Entertainment will be an integral element of the Festival Centre and retailers had just a taste of things to come,' said McArthur.

The presentation has now set a new benchmark in B-2-B communications.

'This was the best presentation I have ever seen in my life,' said Camille Abi-Aad, Projects Manager, Belhoul Corporate Office. 'It was not just the best I have seen in Dubai, but the best I have seen anywhere.

'We are actively considering bringing one of the most up-market brands in France to the Festival Centre which will be a hub for shopping and dining.'

http://www.ameinfo.com/news/Detailed/50744.html

another 2m sqft mall
one day you don't know where to go for shopping :D

the renders for this one look pretty nice
i'm so excited to see all these developments when completed

Al Futtaim to part finance Festival Centre

DUBAI - Al Futtaim Group, developers behind the 1600-acre Dubai Festival City project, has signed a 12-year facility agreement to part finance the Festival Centre, the development's two million square feet retail, hospitality and entertainment destination.


The agreement was signed with a syndicate of banks comprising National Bank of Dubai as lead arranger & facility agent; Arab Bank Plc and Barclays Bank Plc as co-arrangers with Clifford Chance acting as legal advisors to the financing banks. It represents the single largest financing deal so far for any component of the Dubai Festival City project and is one of the largest syndicated real estate project financing deals in the emirate.

First villas of Dubai Creek project to be ready by January

Dubai: Construction of a Dh550 million residential and tourist complex on Dubai Creek is on in full swing.

The first batch of villas will be ready by January, officials involved with the construction, told Gulf News yesterday.

Once completed, the facility will have a 225 room resort hotel and an exclusive spa to be managed by Park Hyatt, while 92 four bedroom villas will overlook the golf course and creek. There will also be two club houses, an 18 hole golf course, eight restaurants, a marina, pools, extensive landscaping and gardens.

This is the third property to be managed by Hyatt International. With this, Dubai will have all three brands of Hyatt International - Grand Hyatt, Park Hyatt and Hyatt Regency.

Mirage Mille Leisure and Development Inc, a South African and UAE consultant, is supervising the development and completion of the masterplan, while the redevelopment of the golf course is being carried out in association with European Golf Design and Dubai based Ryder Cup star Thomas Bjorn.

Al Naboudah Contracting is carrying out the civil works at the golf course, while Bu Haleeba Contracting is building the resort hotel. The resort's contract value is about Dh203 million, according to the construction company. The mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) contract, valued at Dh52 million, has been awarded to Transgulf. Construction of the 92 villas, valued at Dh83 million, is being carried out by Convrgnt Value Engineering LLC.

"Once completed, Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club will become a popular destination for visitors, hotel guests, diners and golfers," said Rodney J. Bogg, managing director of Dubai Golf, which owns Dubai's three premier golf and leisure clubs Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, Emirates Golf Club and Nadd Al Sheeba Club.

"The design of the resort combines Arabian themes and modern architecture and creates a fine blend. In design and development of the resort, we wanted to create something different.

"Due to its prime location at the heart of the city, yet remaining so quiet and exclusive, we expect the entire facility to attract more visitors. Once completed, it will reinforce Dubai's reputation as a premier golfing destination in the region."

He said the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club has 250 members for the golf facility. "We have three different types of membership, including golf and marina. We restrict the golf club's membership to 250. The interest for golf is growing and there is a waiting list."

Dubai Golf is also carrying out improvement works at the Wadi Golf Course at Emirates Golf Club as well as developing a new clubhouse at the Nad Al Sheeba Club. The initial intent of this commission was to deliver a luxury five star hotel on the vacant land adjacent to the existing Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club.

"The overall development encapsulates the essence of Arabian architectural heritage, seamlessly integrated with the iconic Golf Club house and Boardwalk buildings. The property will become a truly unique destination within the heart of Dubai, offering a complete lifestyle experience in an urban resort environment," Mirage Mille said.


Dubai lover....Yhis is an entirely different project associated witht the creek golf and yatch club opposite the Deira City Center. You posted it a while ago, saw it only today...this expansion at the creek club is going to be a beauty, i saw the resort, quite exquisite architecture and very visible from the Baniyas road.
ps: By the way Dubai-lover, considering the amount of work you do in the dubai forums, its surprising that u get it right almost always anyway :)
cheerz...

ooops,

this happens when you once do not read an article carefully enough
i've just read dubai creek and villas ready in january 2005
festival city will also open the first units in jan 2005, so i was too hasty

Plan for next phase of Festival City ready by mid-2005

Dubai: The master plan for Phase II of the multi-billion dirham Dubai Festival City project will be finalised by mid-2005, an official said.

"When this project was launched, we never envisaged such an outpouring of interest in residential units," said Phil McArthur, director of leasing and marketing for Dubai Festival City.

"Units on Phase I that we projected would be leased out in six months took less than three months [to lease out]," he said. Investments in Phase I are expected to total about Dh9 billion.

The many components making up Phase I are moving well on schedule, according to McArthur.

"Already, we have made an upward revision on the space allotted for retail to a total of 2.2 million square feet, from 1.6 million square feet [just] four to five months ago," said McArthur. "There will be further additions as and when we feel there is more demand," he said.

Phase II will focus on further topping up of the residential elements within the development, as well as adding features to works executed during Phase I. Residential units are available on one-and two-year leases.

As things stand now, there will be 19,000 residential units, with 77,000 people expected to live and work in the Dubai Festival City.

McArthur ruled out any move to make residential units within Dubai Festival City offered as freehold. "It will be on short-term leases on the residences, and between three to five years on retail.

Some of the bigger retail operators, however, will have leases of up to 10 years," he said.

The promoters are finalising negotiations with a hypermarket operator for a 175,000 square foot facility at the Retail Park.

Ikea and Ace Hardware have already signed on, as more than 80 per cent of the 750,000 square feet in leasable space at Retail Park has already been allotted.

The second phase of the development will feature 1.1 million square feet of waterfront retail, entertainment and hospitality centre. Construction is to start early next year on the Corniche development.

At the same time, the master plan for a residential locale on the Hillside is being finalised. This component will eventually have 1,000 units.

Dubai Festival City has already tapped the debt market for two tranches to finance Phase I.

According to McArthur, the Al Futtaim Group is the major equity holder in the venture, but will look to raising outside finances when required.

"Our approach will be very conservative, and there will not be heavy leveraging.

"We have had so much interest from local and regional banks for this process," he said.

Spread over 1,600 acres, the Dubai Festival City is split into 15 distinct zones. Apart from the retail, residential and commercial aspects, this self-contained development will also have hotels and an 18-hole golf course, which is set for a February launch.

On the hotel side, the Four Seasons has signed up for its first resort project in the Middle East.

HOK Architects :

http://www.hok.com/Projects/SelectedProjects/6d440026-d7bd-9333-8459-80a65dabb230/Dubai_Festival_City_DotComWeb.htm?sort=Alpha

Dubai Festival City
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

HOK has been appointed to take a lead design role in the creation of Dubai Festival City, one of the Middle East’s largest mixed-use developments covering 1,600 acres on the banks of Dubai’s historic creek.
At the heart of Dubai Festival City, The Crescent, a world-class lifestyle, leisure and entertainment waterfront destination, will provide the focus with retail and entertainment facilities. Planned around a 250m diameter marina, shopping, waterfront restaurants, cafes, cinemas, and speciality shops are located along pedestrian streets, canals and squares.

HOK is also planning adjacent development zones to include a hotel, apartments, town houses, and office lofts linked by the canal and a pedestrian, waterfront corniche.

Our design approach, which focuses on creating places for people, will deliver the new meeting place for Dubai in a unique waterfront setting which blends with the local environment, heritage and culture.


http://www.hok.com/Projects/SelectedProjects/6d440026-d7bd-9333-8459-80a65dabb230/projimages/full1_1.jpg

http://www.hok.com/Projects/SelectedProjects/6d440026-d7bd-9333-8459-80a65dabb230/projimages/full1_2.jpg

http://www.hok.com/Projects/SelectedProjects/6d440026-d7bd-9333-8459-80a65dabb230/projimages/full1_5.jpg

was at festival city today
there are hundreds of cranes up and everything is at ground work now
so there was already nothing to take photos of

here are some pics of al badia golf resort, which is beautifully landscaped, excellent work!!

http://www.ayuplanet.com/dxblover/Festival City/january2005-1.jpg

http://www.ayuplanet.com/dxblover/Festival City/january2005-2.jpg

http://www.ayuplanet.com/dxblover/Festival City/january2005-3.jpg

there just is the sales center and and a 3-bed and 4-bed apartment model home

all the roads going into the development are blovked of course
i couldn't see anything from the sales center

they have built 10 buildings at the entrance area already, they have a nice southern european touch and look like this:

http://www.ayuplanet.com/dxblover/Festival City/january2005-4.jpg

http://www.ayuplanet.com/dxblover/Festival City/january2005-5.jpg

http://www.ayuplanet.com/dxblover/Festival City/january2005-6.jpg

very nice landscape and not bad buildings either

aah, some panoramas for me ;)

here's the result
http://www.tp.spt.fi/~jukarkil/uae/panorama2.jpg

as you can see there was problems to connect first and second picture, not the best possible source pictures :)

awesome! i love it!

there were problms because i have taken 2 photos from one standpoint and the third from another, as the sun was too bright to take the third shot

but awesome work dazz! :)

Honda showroom built at DFC

Dubai: A state-of-the-art Honda showroom is being built at Dubai Festival City (DFC).

The 5,250 sq m Honda flagship purpose-built showroom will feature an Internet-cafe as the centrepiece of the Japanese-style double-storey display area, said a top official.

“The new Honda showroom concept is focussed on the buying experience and will offer an exciting alternative to the way customers currently make a buying decision on Honda products,” said DFC CEO Omar Al Futtaim.

Al Futtaim likely to seek $5bn finance

Major private Gulf firm Al Futtaim Group is likely to seek financing worth up to 20 billion dirhams ($5.4 billion) over the next six years to fully develop a real estate project in Dubai, it said on Wednesday.

Director of Finance Marwan Shehadeh told Reuters in an interview that Al Futtaim had almost closed the financing for the 9-billion-dirham first phase of Dubai Festival City, a vast development the Gulf region's trade and tourism hub.

Festival City will include residential units, shopping malls, luxury hotels and a golf course when completed by 2011.

International brands such as car maker Toyota, Four Seasons hotels and furniture maker IKEA will set up shop there.

Festival City will make money from renting out properties. The first residential tenants moved in late last year.

Shehadah said about half the funding for phase one will come from debt and the rest from the company's own funds.

'Al Futtaim is a careful developer that uses leverage conservatively,' Shehadeh said. But he added: 'We can probably borrow more aggressively' for phase two of Festival City, which will cost up to 31 billion dirhams.

In 2004, Al Futtaim signed a 450 million dirham, 12-year loan with Dubai's Emirates Bank International and Standard Chartered Bank. It also agreed a 1.2 billion dirham 12-year loan with National Bank of Dubai, Barclays and Jordan's Arab Bank.

Shehad said commitments from 'dozens' of international brands helped convince banks to extend large credit lines.

He would not disclose the pricing of the loans, saying it was 'slightly higher' than the pricing of UAE corporate bonds.

The Emirates airline 2001 five-year bond carries a coupon of Emirates Banks Offered Rate (EBOR) + 0.70 percent. The UAE dirham is pegged to the US dollar. EBOR historically trades at a spread of around 0.15 percentage points above LIBOR.

'If you go to places like Lebanon or Syria, people are struggling to get bank loans and the spreads are up to six times higher than in the UAE. But in Dubai, if you have a good project, access to bank loans is quite easy,' Shehadeh added.

He said Al Futtaim may issue bonds or use Islamic banking instruments to raise money for phase two of Festival City and to refinance phase one.

'We are in discussions now on a couple of Islamic structures. The rates are the same, the tenors are the same. It is positive because it gives you more sources of capital to tap into,' he said. At present, banks will not lend to UAE developers for maturities above 12 years.

The Al Futtaim Group was founded more than 70 years ago and analysts say it is one of Dubai's largest private companies.

Interests include real estate and as well lucrative distribution rights in the automotive and electronics sectors.

Demand for residential and commercial real estate in Dubai is currently outstripping supply, as the city's 1.2 million population grows at around 8 percent per year.-Reuters

Date: 26/01/2005
Source: www.projectdubai.com
================================================================
We can probably borrow more aggressively' for phase two of Festival City, which will cost up to 31 billion dirhams
I especially like this part of the article, for 31 billion dirhams, you could have another Dubai Marina, and thats just phase II.

Another article in the Gulf News today

Al Futtaim may seek funds to develop real estate project


Dubai: Al Futtaim Group is likely to seek financing worth up to Dh20 billion ($5.4 billion) over the next six years to fully develop a real estate project in Dubai.

The group has almost closed the financing for the Dh9 billion first phase of Dubai Festival City, said Marwan Shehadeh, director of finance.

About half the funding for phase one will come from debt and the rest from the company's own funds, he said.

"Al Futtaim is a careful developer that uses leverage conservatively," Shehadeh said.

"We can probably borrow more aggressively" for phase two of Festival City, which will cost up to Dh31 billion.

He said Al Futtaim may issue bonds or use Islamic banking instruments to raise money for phase two of Festival City and to refinance phase one.

Gulf News could not get independent confirmation of the news at the time of going to press.

Shehadeh said commitments from "dozens" of international brands helped convince banks to extend large credit lines.

He would not disclose the pricing of the loans, saying it was "slightly higher" than the pricing of UAE corporate bonds.

"If you go to places like Lebanon or Syria, people are struggling to get bank loans and the spreads are up to six times higher than in the UAE. But in Dubai, if you have a good project, access to bank loans is quite easy," Shehadeh added.

"We are in discussions now on a couple of Islamic structures. The rates are the same, the tenors are the same. It is positive because it gives you more sources of capital to tap into," he said.

At present, banks will not lend to UAE developers for maturities above 12 years.

Dubai Festival City will sponsor retail summit


28 January 2005


DUBAI - Dubai Festival City, the ‘city-within-a-city’ being built on the banks of the Dubai Creek, has taken up sponsorship for the Retail Real Estate World Summit 2005 being organised by the International Council of Shopping Centres (ICSC).

To be held in Istanbul in April, the World Summit, which is held only once every five years, will be attended by senior property, retail and investment executives from more than 80 countries.

“Shopping centres are much more than places to shop and eat. They are key components that raise standards of living, as well as engines for economic and community development, providing jobs and generating significant revenues for the towns and cities they serve,” said Phil McArthur, Director, Marketing & Leasing, Dubai Festival City and member of the ICSC Committee.

Dubai Festival City says its summit sponsorship will bring the project numerous key benefits.

“The event will profile Dubai Festival City as a retail leader, enable us to develop even more strategic relationships and give this unique waterfront development global exposure to an audience of international influencers,” explained McArthur.

“Our sponsorship will also go a long way to positioning Dubai as a truly global retail pioneer, which is instigating some of the world’s boldest retail developments to serve a rapidly developing tourism destination.”

Dubai Festival City is set to become a regional retail, hospitality and entertainment hub for the Gulf with its downtown waterfront Festival Centre, phase one due to open in September 2005.

Dubai Festival City to have UAE's largest IKEA store
The UAE's Al-Futtaim Group is to open the Emirates' first IKEA 'destination' store at Dubai Festival City, the 'city-within-a-city' being built on the banks of Dubai Creek.

http://www.ameinfo.com/images/news/7/11587-ikea-dfc.jpg
IKEA ‘destination’ store at Dubai Festival City

'This stand-alone store, linked to Dubai Festival City's Festival Centre retail hub, will serve as a destination in its own right,' said Mile Franicevic, General Manager of IKEA UAE. 'It will be the first and biggest of its kind in the UAE.'

With a gross area of 273,405 square feet, the Dubai Festival City IKEA is expected to be a major pull for the waterfront destination's Festival Centre.

'Other Festival Centre retailers will also benefit from the attraction of this global furnishing giant from Sweden,' said Phil McArthur, Director, Leasing & Marketing, Dubai Festival City.

'A key differentiator for this IKEA is that it will be served by ample car parking both underground and in communal areas serving the Festival Centre, which will have car parking for over 11,000 cars and deliver the highest parking ratio in Dubai.'

The Dubai Festival City IKEA, which is due to open in fall 2005, is over three times the size of the existing IKEA at Deira City Centre.

The 'destination' store will carry up to 6,500 products; it will be served by 22 check outs and have a 300-seat restaurant, double the size of the existing IKEA restaurant at Deira City Centre and a 50 seat exit café.

'IKEA is the first retailer in the UAE and the Middle East to introduce the self-service concept which is designed to keep prices low and allow customers to take their purchases home the same day,' said Mile Franicevic.

The Al Futtaim Group anticipates employing 250 people in the Dubai Festival City IKEA destination store, which is more than double the existing IKEA workforce in Dubai.

The Festival Centre, the heart of Dubai Festival City will in total cover two million square feet of gross leasing area. It will be the down-town landmark of Dubai and 60% of the retail area has already been committed by a diverse range of tenants and brands.

guess why!
if i remember well al the furniture for festival city homes comes from ikea ;)

Oh no not another IKEA store! Who else is sick of flat-packed 'do it yourself using instructions that NEVER make any sense' furniture? :lol:

Dubai's Al Badia Golf Course opens to public
The magnificent Al Badia 18-hole championship golf course, built on the banks of Dubai Creek as part of the waterfront Dubai Festival City, has opened for pay and play golfers.

http://www.ameinfo.com/images/news/0/10910-albadia.jpg
Al Badia Golf Course in Dubai Festival City has opened for pay and play golfers.

The 7,250 yards, par 72 course, designed by internationally-renowned golf architect Robert Trent Jones II, is the newest of Dubai's golf courses and the first to make use of the salt tolerant and environmentally friendly Paspalum strains of grass.

A maximum of 40 golfers a day will be allowed to play the course. Green fees range from Dhs 440 to Dhs 490 at weekends and from Dhs 355 to Dhs 395, Sunday to Wednesday. Tee-off times are staggered at 15 minute intervals. Golfers wishing to play the Al Badia course should have a handicap of 28 or lower, for men, and 36 or lower, for ladies.

'Al Badia is another addition to Dubai's growing golf attractions and will become a 'must-play' course for residents of the Emirates and visitors to Dubai. I aim to have it ranked as the top course in Dubai, if not in the Emirates,' said Roger Morris, General Manager, Al Badia.

The course is visually stunning with its use of water and sculpted fairways and has been designed to offer a challenge to any level of golfer. At either end of the handicap scale, golfers will experience a rewarding and enjoyable game at Al Badia.

As a true championship course, the Al Badia course, located just two kilometres from the award-winning Dubai International Airport, expects to capture a substantial slice of Dubai's growing inbound golf tourism industry and a healthy share of the heightened local and regional demand for golf destinations. Membership will be limited initially to 100.

The essence of the Al Badia name, 'Land of the Bedouins, where nature meets the desert and where the time honoured traditions of the Bedouins, hospitality, respect and love of nature are most visible', is certainly reflected in all aspects of this magnificent course and future amenities.

The Al Badia course brings to life the 'feel' of Arabia with careful use of indigenous plants and resources. Through the use of natural desert flora and fauna, to cover 85 acres of turf, the course has recreated a feel for the past in a community of the future.

'The use of Paspalum grass means the million gallons of water a day needed to irrigate the course is one third less than that required with conventional Bermuda grass,' explained Morris. 'Players will be in awe at how rich and green the course is in contrast to the desert terrain which was its starting point.'

Course architect Robert Trent Jones II says two of Al Badia's holes are among the most challenging he has conceived to date. Trent Jones, whose company has designed over 220 courses in 38 countries and won over 100 awards, says holes 5 and 18 at the Al Badia Golf Resort will be amongst the most challenging in the world.

'Hole 5, a great par 5, runs uphill and through a watercourse that sweeps throughout and ends at a lake near the green,' said the master designer, son of America's legendary course architect, the late Robert Trent Jones Sr.

The par 5, 18th hole, which measures approximately 490 metres, is, according to Trent Jones, 'a boomerang-shaped dogleg left, combining strategy with length.'

'It wraps around the large central lake and the golfer's task is simple: challenge the edge of the lake as much as he dares. The wind generally will work in his favour, making the green reachable in two. But players will need to judge carefully, as the two shots needed both play over water and the green is protected at the back by a meandering bunker which is shared with the ninth green.'

Trent Jones said the project set its own design demands starting from a flat piece of desert. 'The challenge presented was to create a golf course that was equal in vision to the richness and detail of the project as a whole yet seamlessly moulding this element into the overall quilt that combined is the Dubai Festival City property development.'

The overall goal in the routing of the course was to achieve maximum variety. 'This had to be achieved keeping in mind the one existing site condition that was to remain untouched, the wind,' Trent Jones said. 'This general consideration guided the creation of the route plan, which is responsible for developing the rhythm, or the unique personality of the golf course. Key to this unique personality is also the extensive incorporation of water throughout the course. The presence and movement of water is one of the encompassing statements of the Dubai Festival City project in its entirety. Water is seen, heard and felt almost everywhere on the course and also off.

'Though extensive in its incorporation, water is constantly being presented in differing manners, from large bodies of water that must be played along or across, to gently flowing streams meandering through golf holes, to spilling falls adjacent to green sites. Variety is paramount.'

Robert Trent Jones II LLC has introduced a 'Rivers Of Sand' concept, which runs throughout the Dubai Festival City course adding texture and colour and creating elevation change.

'These 'Rivers of Sand' present a visually crisp hazard that, unlike a body of water, provides the golfer with an opportunity to recover from an errant golf shot. They also create shadows across the sunny, open course, which will give golfers definition and allow them to decide the line they want to play on for their game. In fact, as golfers play all 18 holes, they will need to use all 14 clubs in their bag. The holes are varied, interesting, offer change of pace and change of direction,' he explained.

Despite the challenges of the course, the master architect says it has been designed for play by golfers of all skill levels.

'Multiple tees can be found on every hole with most offering a variety in teeing angle, so the course can be played from a maximum of just over 7,250 yards for championship quality players, down to roughly 5,500 yards for players with less skill or strength. Fairways are generous for the majority of players, narrowing as golfers move through the landing areas.'

In 2004, the Al Futtaim Group, the developers behind the 1,600 acre Dubai Festival City mixed-use project, signed a letter of intent with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts to manage a luxury waterfront hotel at the destination and oversee Al Badia's clubhouse and associated amenities.

'Al Badia is the first golf course in Dubai to feature life-style homes,' said Phil McArthur, Leasing and Marketing Director, Dubai Festival City. 'Built on a Mediterranean-like terraced hillside, the community is a mix of two, three and four-bedroomed apartments and three-storey town houses. The homes are some of the most spacious available in Dubai and provide stunning views of the course, its lakes and city skyline.'

The first 64 homes were leased in 2004 and the first residents moved in last November. The remaining 232 homes will be ready in May. The opening of the Al Badia course to the public, and the course-view homes are the first major milestones in the development of Dubai Festival City.

'The project is transforming the upper reaches of Dubai Creek into a regional and international shopping, entertainment and sporting tourist attraction,' said McArthur. 'It will raise the benchmark for mixed-use developments not only within Dubai but the wider Middle East.'

dennis , where did you find this piece?

Ikea well that good
better than just the one at Deria City Center

dennis , where did you find this piece?

ameinfo.com

THE CRESCENT at Festival City under construction, foundation work complete and
structure in progress.....l
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v302/seonnecken/FestivalCity.jpg

Please check your PMs!

Oh my !! things are really moving along here , this site was empty for quite a while , even when they had announced it

increadible update

you can also see it from the road nearby but nothing is better than aerials!!

Ikea well that good
better than just the one at Deria City Center

The new IKEA store @Festival City will be triple in size compared to the old one in Deira City Centre. The old shop will be closed and MAF is looking for new tenats for the soon to be empy leasable space.

yes, the old store in city centre will be closed and i have to say i'm happy about that

Festival Marina to debut at Dubai International Boat Show


Plans for the 200-berth Festival Marina – the super-yacht hub of the waterfront Dubai Festival City project – are to be unveiled at the Dubai International Boat Show (DIBS) taking place in March.

http://www.ameinfo.com/images/news/5/11885-dfc.jpg
The Festival Marina.

The identity of the new facility, which will span a 245 metre wide harbour, will be unveiled at the show, running from March 15-19.

'This Mediterranean-style super-yacht hub is due to open in September next year,' explained Phil McArthur, Director, Leasing & Marketing, Dubai Festival City. 'It will be a showcase in marina lifestyles surrounded by a host of exciting cafes, restaurants and boutiques.'

At the DIBS, Dubai Festival City, the 'city-within-a-city' project being built on the banks of Dubai Creek, will be looking to network with marina suppliers and operators.

'Our development goal is to meet the needs of the super-yacht sector, which comprises boats of 25 metres length and above. This sector, according to industry analysts, is now growing worldwide at 6% a year'.

'Super-yacht owners expect the best. They are demanding because the decision to own one of these vessels is not normally driven by commercial reasons but by a desire to own a prestigious vessel. Super-yachts are luxury assets within an image-orientated market which is dominated by a wide range of service needs.

'Demand for facilities afloat is rapidly increasing hence private sector investment in regional marina facilities is around US $20 billion,' said McArthur. 'We aim to position Festival Marina among one of these leaders.'

A backdrop to Festival Marina will be the centreplace Festival Centre, the 2.2 million square feet retail, dining and entertainment centre. Construction is already well underway on Festival Centre and work has also begun on the InterContinental Dubai Festival City, an iconic, five-star convention hotel on the north-west peninsula of Festival Marina.

Good news, more educational facilities, enjoy:

http://tradearabia.com/source/2005-02/20/russel.jpg

The Deira International School (DIS) and the Universal American School (UAS), currently under construction at Dubai Festival City, are due to open in September.

Construction of the Dubai Festival City schools will be completed by July, said officials.

Each campus will have an indoor gymnasium, Olympic-size track and soccer field, vocal and band music rooms, art rooms, computer and science laboratories, libraries, a large auditorium and a swimming pool.

Educational Services Overseas Limited (ESOL) is a regional leader in quality international education and the appointed manager of the British and American curriculum schools at Dubai Festival City.

Overseas education veteran Dr Daryle Russell has been appointed associate superintendent of ESOL schools in the Gulf.

Russell will now oversee the launching of the Deira International School and the Universal American School at the city-within-a-city development on the banks of Dubai Creek.

Both schools are are now accepting enrolment applications for the 2005-2006 academic year.

Daryle Russell has spent close to 30 years in international education, 11 of them as superintendent of the 2,800-student Saudi Arabian International School in Riyadh.

He has served as Superintendent of the American School of Bombay, the International School of Islamabad, the Emirates International School and the International School in Belgrade.

His overseas posts have also included tours of duty as an administrator at the International School in Manila and the American International School of Vienna.

Dr Russell was president of the Association for Advancement of International Education for two years and has received numerous awards and honours.

'ESOL is thrilled to add a pre-eminent educator of Dr Russell's stature to its already formidable team,' said ESOL founder and chairman Walid Abushakra.

'His wealth of experience in international education will enable us to continue to offer the highest quality education in our schools.'

'I am honoured to have a role with an exceptional educational organisation such as ESOL in one of the world's leading cities,' said Russell.

'The last time I was in Dubai was four years ago and the city has literally doubled in size since.'

DIS at Dubai Festival City will follow the British National Curriculum and offer the IGCSE and GCSE programmes.

UAS will offer a complete American curriculum culminating with the American high school diploma.

Both will have a strong Arabic programme and will introduce the prestigious International Baccalaureate programme, which is now accepted for entry into most international universities and seats of higher education. DIS will be accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) of Petersfield, Hampshire, UK while UAS, like all ESOL American schools, will be accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges & Schools, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Commenting on the overwhelming number of inquiries each of the two new schools at Dubai Festival City has received, Russell said:

'Dubai's residents recognise the importance of a high quality international education and are aware of ESOL's track record in delivering it.

'Both schools will provide students with a top quality education in the Middle East's best campuses, and will prepare them for success at university and beyond.' he said.

ESOL manages numerous other schools in the region, including the American International Schools in Abu Dhabi, Cairo and Cyprus as well as the Cairo English School.

Dubai Festival City is being developed on 1,600 acres on the banks of Dubai's historic Creek.

Comprising 15 distinct development zones, Dubai Festival City is a property development by the Al Futtaim Group and is the Middle East's largest, privately-funded, mixed-use, real estate project.

It will comprise a unique mix of entertainment, dining, shopping, edutainment, sport and leisure facilities, automotive dealerships, hotels, a marina, residential and office components.

The first phase of construction is well advanced with the Al Badia Golf Resort, an 18-hole championship golf course designed by world-renowned golf course designer Robert Trent Jones II LLC, surrounded by Mediterranean-style apartments and town homes which are already being leased.

Work is also well advanced on the development's centreplace Festival Centre, the 2,000,000 square feet retail, dining and entertainment centre, set on a Creekside marina. Foundation work has also begun on the InterContinental Dubai Festival City, an iconic convention hotel situated on the north-west peninsula of the marina.

The Four Seasons Hotel Dubai, which will open in the first half of 2007, is the latest addition to Dubai Festival City. The hotel will have 250 rooms and villas, a destination spa, five restaurants and a range of conference and banqueting facilities.

DFC – zone 8, Mall interiors been completed for few months now; there’s a rumor going around that all the developed Interior’s will be scrapped and re-designed from scratch again. I'll show you some of the images:

http://www.koutayba.com/hokinc/dfc/dfc101.jpg

http://www.koutayba.com/hokinc/dfc/dfc102.jpg
http://www.koutayba.com/hokinc/dfc/dfc103r.jpg
http://www.koutayba.com/hokinc/dfc/dfc104r.jpg
http://www.koutayba.com/hokinc/dfc/dfc105r.jpg
http://www.koutayba.com/hokinc/dfc/dfc106r.jpg
http://www.koutayba.com/hokinc/dfc/dfc107ts.jpg
incase you wondering about image above; the egg-shape glass structure is a restaurant - Exterior you see in the background; is what you see below
http://www.koutayba.com/hokinc/dfc/dfc108cps.jpg

What do you think? :)

awesome. looks really nice. where did you get those pics?

awesome. looks really nice. where did you get those pics?

Its a secret.

NEWUSER , thank you very much :)

here’s a rumor going around that all the developed Interior’s will be scrapped and re-designed from scratch again.
Why? I like these designs but they can still be better, is that why they wanna redesign them?

Why? I like these designs but they can still be better, is that why they wanna redesign them?

Interiors, concerning the commercial side of malls; the visual effects; been redesigned several times already. New state of the Art advertising technology been incorporated in all public spaces – allot of money been spent to ensure the best of the best went in.

The Mall will house four Souks, pavilions, private clubs, bowling alleys, theatres, huge food court, car show, many elevated platforms, audio and laser show, two major oasis and an amazing water-canal will dominate the entire zone 6 structure – when DFC goes in full operation; its going to bring a whole new meaning to the SHOPPING FESTIVALS.

I’ll show you some more pics;

water canal before
http://www.koutayba.com/hokinc/dfc/water-canal.jpg

water canal after

http://www.koutayba.com/hokinc/dfc/CanalsideSouth.jpg

Mall

http://www.koutayba.com/hokinc/dfc/Mall.jpg

North entrance

http://www.koutayba.com/hokinc/dfc/Northentrance.jpg

South Oasis (colors changed already)

http://www.koutayba.com/hokinc/dfc/SouthOasis.jpg

well watercanal, was more or less "improved" more colourful and more lively...

I think this project might just be the most creative in dubai in terms of what it'll offer, very diverse indeed.

its beautiful.

yes it is
have these changes been major ones or just a small changes
i can't judge really because i didn't see many renderings

yes it is
have these changes been major ones or just a small changes
i can't judge really because i didn't see many renderings

Major. These pics were sample of certain areas.. There’s 1,500,000 sf of gross floor area of shopping retail, leisure, entertainment and cultural activities. The Mall was designed 4 times and counting. :rant:

The problem with wanting to have the best; is that new products are always coming out; and things get replaced, design is revised, revised, revised, and so on... A computer system will control DFC -- because of all the laser light equipment that will control the interior and exterior of the mall 24/7 -- lights will change all the time -- therefore needing a dedicated computer; @ $1.5 million dollar. This Mall will be very unique, and will contain allot of interesting architectural features; like oasis waterfalls, suspended panoramic lifts, and air conditioned 2lvl parking lot.

nice info you got there for us :D

seems like these changes are kept secret

Dubai Festival City to have Four Seasons Golf and Country Club
Dubai Festival City, the 'city-within-a-city' being built on the banks of Dubai Creek is to have a Four Seasons Golf and Country Club, which will incorporate the recently-opened Robert Trent Jones II-designed18-hole Al Badia golf course.

http://www.ameinfo.com/images/news/3/12433-badia.jpg
Al Badia golf course.
The country club's identity was unveiled in Dubai today by David Glanville-Williams, Managing Director, Dubai Festival City and Antoine Corinthios, President, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

The new Four Seasons Golf & Country Club at Dubai Festival City will open early in 2007. It will include the Al Badia golf course and its iconic clubhouse and associated facilities, tennis and squash courts as well as beauty, spa, massage, wellness and lifestyle rooms. Design of the facilities is under way, and will reflect the superior standards for which Four Seasons is internationally recognised.

'With this development the championship Al Badia course becomes the 11th in the Four Seasons prestigious international golf portfolio and our first golf offering within the Middle East,' said Corinthios. 'This is a truly magnificent facility which will enhance Dubai's inbound tourism appeal and which will be marketed internationally through the Four Seasons global network.'

The Al Badia golf course recently opened for pay-and-play, and has received tremendous feedback. The clubhouse will overlook the 9th and 18th greens and will have commanding views across the golf course, to the Creek, and on to the striking skyline of Sheikh Zayed Road. Membership at the Four Seasons Golf and Country Club, Dubai Festival City, will be limited, the Al Badia golf course, however, will continue to offer pay-and-play opportunities.

Designed by international consultants Wimberley Allison, Tong & Goo., the clubhouse will have restaurants, lounges, a pro shop and banqueting facilities. The surrounding terrace will have vantage points with dramatic views of Dubai.

The Four Seasons Golf and Country Club announcement comes on the heels of last year's signing between Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and the Al-Futtaim Group, developers of the 1,600 acre Dubai Festival City, for the management of a luxury waterfront hotel at the down-town, mixed-use destination.

'This further alignment with the prestigious Four Seasons brand is a significant development for Dubai Festival City, which will offer across-the-board facilities for residents, tourists and business travellers alike,' said Glanville-Williams.

Work on the Four Seasons Hotel Dubai - the first Four Seasons property in the UAE - commences this year and is due for completion late 2006.

To be built at an initial development cost of US $191.8 million, the Four Seasons Hotel Dubai will have 250 rooms and villas, a destination spa, five restaurants and a range of conference and banqueting facilities.

With its waterfront location, only two kilometres from Dubai International Airport and its proximity to Dubai's business hub, the hotel is expected to become one of the most important in the Four Seasons six-strong Middle East property portfolio.

We knew this.

Work on the first Four Seasons Hotel in Dubai will start this year


Dubai: Dubai Festival City will invite tenders for the construction of a Dh700 million hotel to be managed by the Four Seasons Hotel group, officials said.

Work on the Four Seasons Hotel Dubai - the first Four Seasons property in the UAE - will commence at the end of this year and is due for completion in late 2006. The 250-room luxury hotel is scheduled to open in 2007.

The design of the Four Seasons Hotel Dubai, to be located adjacent to the Al Badia Golf Course, is in its final stage.

The design will be completed in a month and a half, said David Glanville-Williams, Managing Director of Dubai Festival City.

"Following the completion of the design, we will invite tenders from a limited number of contractors to bid," he said.

The Four Seasons Hotel Dubai will have 250 rooms, a number of villas, a health club, a destination spa, five restaurants and a range of conference and banquet facilities.

The Al Futtaim Group, which owns the development, is also fast-tracking its $4.2 billion (Dh15.41 billion) mixed-use residential project, Dubai Festival City.

Dubai Municipality is building the third bridge on Dubai Creek, which will cross some of the clusters of the project. Officials yesterday also unveiled the Four Seasons Golf and Country Club, which will incorporate the recently-opened Robert Trent Jones II-designed 18-hole Al Badia golf course.

"With this development, the championship Al Badia course becomes the 11th in our prestigious international golf portfolio and our first golf offering within the Middle East," said Antoine Corinthios, president for the Europe, Middle East and Africa of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

"This is a truly magnificent facility which will enhance Dubai's inbound tourism appeal and which will be marketed internationally through the Four Seasons global network," he said.

Designed by international consultants Wimberley Allison, Tong and Goo, the clubhouse will have restaurants, lounges, a pro-shop and banqueting facilities. The surrounding terrace will have vantage points with dramatic views of Dubai.

$191.8m hotel being built at Dubai Creek

3 March 2005

DUBAI — Dubai Festival City (DFC), being built on the banks of Dubai Creek, is to have a the Four Seasons Hotel which will be built at an initial development cost of $191.8 million.

It will have 250 rooms and villas, a destination spa, five restaurants and a range of conference and banqueting facilities. With its waterfront location, only two kilometres from Dubai International Airport and its proximity to Dubai’s business hub, the hotel is expected to become one of the most important in the Four Seasons six-strong Middle East property portfolio.

Apart from this, Four Seasons Golf and Country Club, which will open early in 2007, will incorporate the recently opened Robert Trent Jones II-designed 18-hole Al Badia golf course.

The country club’s identity was unveiled in Dubai by David Glanville-Williams, Managing Director, Dubai Festival City and Antoine Corinthios, President, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

I never understood the ideology behind the naming of this development. Is it just a name or will it truly be a City of Festivals?? I thought that was Global Village!

If I well remember, when this project was annunced years ago, it was supposed that Global Village will be integral part of it, but then Dubailand came so they decided to move it overthere.

So what is the purpose of the Festival City again?

i guess they just chose the name because it sounds lively and energetic
festival can be seen as there is something happening
you associate the word festival with joy and happiness
it's all about marketing and to draw people's attention to it!

I think the authorities should rename the Shopping Festival the "Dubai Festival".

Shopping festival seems a really naff name.

It reminds me of an oversized downtown disney.

Source in Arabic (http://www.albayan.ae/servlet/Satellite?cid=1109595830446&pagename=Bayan%2FBayanArticle%2FBayanArticle&c=Page)

20 towers at a cost of 4 billion dirhams in DFC project ranging from 10 floors upto 50 floors

6 = offices

4 = residental

10 = office/residental

Great! The article also says that due to high demand the amount of planned/expected investment in DFC has been raised from $4bn to $10bn!

cool, and i thought they would put nothing big in there

Source in Arabic (http://www.albayan.ae/servlet/Satellite?cid=1109595830446&pagename=Bayan%2FBayanArticle%2FBayanArticle&c=Page)

20 towers at a cost of 4 billion dirhams in DFC project ranging from 10 floors upto 50 floors

6 = offices

4 = residental

10 = office/residental

That's cool, we need some decent towers on my side of the Creek.

In case you were wondering about those DFC Schools.....how can they be ready for the SEPT intake. The answer is.........prefabrication.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v302/seonnecken/bsfc.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v302/seonnecken/bsfc1.jpg
Notice the truck with the prefab walls and the crane to lift it off and put it in place. I bet by the end of March the walls will be finished.

This will be the British School

Is prefab a good or bad thing?

Is prefab a good or bad thing?

I am not in the "Trade" perhaps somebody more qualified than I could answer this one for Juiced?

prefab is very common in europe and even germany actually
parts of the buildings like walls are prefabricated and are just put together like a 3d puzzle
it saves you a lot of time (and tons of money) and is really fast

nothing bad heard about the quality so far
for low-rises it shouldn't be a problem, but i can't imagine this way of construction being used for high-rise towers

prefab is very common in europe and even germany actually
parts of the buildings like walls are prefabricated and are just put together like a 3d puzzle
it saves you a lot of time (and tons of money) and is really fast

nothing bad heard about the quality so far
for low-rises it shouldn't be a problem, but i can't imagine this way of construction being used for high-rise towers

actually all the JBR buildings have prefab walls too :) i seen it with my own eyes , lol

^ You refer to these ones:

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid158/p224ca5bd4e5b3396f10c42d04a132770/f51351d5.jpg

But the walls there are not structural, they aren't suporting the weight of the building, rather filling in.

I have lived for 17 years in a concrete prefabricated 5 floors building but the wall panels were the structure themselve.

Prefab builings are quite common in Holland. See this 37 floor tower (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=101387) in Rotterdam for example.

What are soceity's views on prefab?

DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY ‘C’EST MAGNIFIQUE’ SAY FRENCH JOURNALISTS

http://www.dubaiphotomedia.com/Media/franch_visit.jpg
C'est magnifique! That was the verdict of a party of 25 leading French journalists who visited Dubai Festival City, the 1600 acres 'city-within-a-city' being built on the banks of the Dubai Creek.

The journalists from France's business, construction and automotive sectors were given an overview of the project by Bassem Terkawi, PR and Events Manager, Dubai Festival City. The group were then taken on a tour of the site including Dubai Festival City's 2.2m sq. ft. retail, hospitality and entertainment hub, Festival Centre.

This vibrant destination - and the 'jewel in the crown' of Dubai Festival City - will house over 450 shops and over 100 restaurants and cafes featuring some of the best brands from around the globe.

Willy Lunardi, CEO and Chairman of Concept Logistics Management, who organised the visit, said the journalists were very impressed by the scale of the Dubai Festival City development. He said: "Dubai Festival City is a unique waterfront mixed-use real estate project. There is nothing like it in France. The sheer size of the project and the diversity of its offerings surprised everyone. When it is complete it will truly be a city-within-a-city.

DFC plans to house first IKEA destination store

12 March 2005

DUBAI - Dubai Festival City will house first IKEA ‘destination’ store, by Swedish furnishing giant and will open in September 2005 as part of retail park, said Phil McArthur, director of leasing and marketing, Dubai Festival City (DFC).

McArthur said:" The retail park will also have a mega hyper-market, for which we hope to announce the brand operator shortly. Linked to our Festival Centre, the store and hypermarket are expected to be a major pull for our waterfront destination. They will be linked to the main Festival Centre via a 130-metre, air-conditioned Retail Connection, which will house 60 shops along its entire length." The Festival Centre will also feature a furniture precinct within its retail park with a series of big box flagship stores from leading brands including Plug-Ins ElectroniX, leading hardware supplier ACE Hardware and Home Center. The furniture precinct’s Plug-Ins store will be the brand’s eighth in the UAE and its largest – at 35,000 square feet. The ACE Hardware and Home Center will be the fourth of its kind in the country, but again the largest, at almost 85,000 square feet, and will feature a dedicated garden centre.The big box retailers will bring a whole new retailing experience to customers. They will offer vast retail space and ample car parking, added McArthur.

Dubai's latest upscale marina offering unveiled


The brand identity for Dubai's latest upscale marina offering - the 150-berth Festival Marina at Dubai Festival City - was unveiled today at the Dubai International Boat Show.

http://www.ameinfo.com/images/news/0/12870-festivalmarinalogo.jpg

The modernist blue and white flag logo, was selected as the identity of the 240 metre wide world-class facility, for its universal maritime appeal.

'The ocean blue colour used has obvious connections with water-based lifestyles and is derived directly from the Dubai Festival City identity, strengthening not only the Festival Marina brand, but also that of the overall project,' said Phil McArthur, Dubai Festival City's Director of Leasing and Marketing.

Festival Marina will be a key asset in Dubai's growing positioning as an emerging superyacht destination, offering an expansive marine leisure season and a winter of sunny skies away from the wintry chills of the northern hemisphere.

'We intend it to be one of the friendliest harbours in the world with both relaxed and fine dining, shopping and five-star accommodation all readily available. And we anticipate it will play a role in further spurring the region's water leisure industry and lead to an increased number of holiday afloat packages and tour options' added McArthur.

Festival Marina is being designed as a Mediterranean-style super-yacht hub within the iconic 'city-within-a-city- project being built on the banks of Dubai Creek. It will open in September 2006.

'This will be a vibrant waterfront destination in its own right for motorboat owners and visitors alike,' said McArthur. 'It will bring a lifestyle reminiscent of Cannes and Nice to Dubai with Festival Marina being surrounded by a host of exciting cafes, restaurants and boutiques.

'It will be a preferred meeting place with a back drop of sleek boats, and large motor launches of 25 metres in length or more which are capable of travelling for great distances and at speeds in excess of 40 knots - the type of vessel most would-be mariners aspire to.'

At Dubai International Boat Show, Dubai Festival City is meeting with marina suppliers and operators needed to meet the needs of the targeted super-yacht sector, which is growing worldwide at 6% a year, according to analysts.

Festival Marina joins a growing catalogue of leisure harbour facilities emerging around the Middle East, with analysts estimating an additional 5,000 new berths will join the region's marine leisure industry over the next four years.

Festival Marina will have as its backdrop the centreplace Festival Centre, the 2.2 million square feet retail, dining and entertainment centre. Construction is already well underway on Festival Centre and work has also begun on the InterContinental Dubai Festival City, an iconic, five-star conventional hotel on the north-west peninsula of Festival Marina.

Festival Marina's new logo

17 March 2005

DUBAI — The brand identity of the 150 berth Festival Marina at Dubai Festival City was unveiled at the Dubai International Boat Show, yesterday.

The blue colour used in the logo has connections with water based lifestyles and is derived from the Dubai Festival City identity along with the white flag.

DFC plans to house first IKEA destination store

12 March 2005

DUBAI - Dubai Festival City will house first IKEA ‘destination’ store, by Swedish furnishing giant and will open in September 2005 as part of retail park, said Phil McArthur, director of leasing and marketing, Dubai Festival City (DFC).

McArthur said:" The retail park will also have a mega hyper-market, for which we hope to announce the brand operator shortly. Linked to our Festival Centre, the store and hypermarket are expected to be a major pull for our waterfront destination. They will be linked to the main Festival Centre via a 130-metre, air-conditioned Retail Connection, which will house 60 shops along its entire length." The Festival Centre will also feature a furniture precinct within its retail park with a series of big box flagship stores from leading brands including Plug-Ins ElectroniX, leading hardware supplier ACE Hardware and Home Center. The furniture precinct’s Plug-Ins store will be the brand’s eighth in the UAE and its largest – at 35,000 square feet. The ACE Hardware and Home Center will be the fourth of its kind in the country, but again the largest, at almost 85,000 square feet, and will feature a dedicated garden centre.The big box retailers will bring a whole new retailing experience to customers. They will offer vast retail space and ample car parking, added McArthur.

IKEA +

http://www.koutayba.com/hokinc/dfc/dfc-addition.bmp

DFC doubles size of stand for ATM

30 March 2005

DUBAI — Dubai Festival City (DFC), has doubled the size of its stand for Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2005, the travel and tourism exhibition, said Bassem Terkawi, public relations and events manager, Dubai Festival City.

Terkawi said: "The growth in our participation is in line with the extensive progress made on the development and the increasing role we see this waterfront destination playing in the tourism aspirations of Dubai. The iconic waterfront project is also to unveil a new double-storey stand specially designed for ATM to reflect the diversity of its hospitality and leisure offerings.''

Festival City...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/Bank/37315398DEzcey_ph.jpg

Festival City...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/Bank/37315398DEzcey_ph.jpg

That is the first render, many years ago. The masterplan is compleatelly changed now.

i wonder if they r still going to build that tower ? the one in the creek

it used to be calles promontory tower or whatever
according to several sources this project was just a vision and will not be built

but in one of the recent articles or somebody else here mentioned there will be several towers in dfc

Al-Futtaim Group to open mega IKEA store at DFC

27 April 2005

DUBAI — IKEA, a member of the Al-Futtaim Group, will be opening a 35,000 sq metre store at Dubai Festival City's retail arm, Festival Centre, in November this year. Four times bigger than IKEA's existing location at Deira City Centre, the new store will include parking for 1,200 vehicles and will offer higher levels of service through increased floor space, an increased product line-up and overall enhancements.

The IKEA store at DFC's Festival Centre will have 54 room sets for customers to envisage exactly how their homes can look. Home furnishing ideas will flow freely throughout the store and home consultancy experts will be on hand to help and advise.

Jim McCallum, Al-Futtaim Group Director - Retail Division, said the store would stand as a shining example of the IKEA concept of supplying well-designed functional home furnishings at exceptionally low prices. "Customers will be able to browse and feel at home like never before."

Dubai Festival City will be the third move for IKEA's Dubai store which started operations on Zabeel Road in 1991 then relocated to Deira City Centre in 1995 in order to answer the needs of its growing customer base for a wide range of well designed functional home furnishing products.

Housed at Dubai Festival City's Retail Park, the new IKEA store will be the largest in the Middle East. Close to the planning areas will be a dedicated play area for children, giving customers the opportunity to browse and discuss important needs in a relaxed manner. Sweden will be brought even closer to customers through a Swedish Foodmarket, stocking typical Swedish food, situated next to a large exit café.

Dubai Festival City primed for mega hospitality announcement

Dubai Festival City, the iconic 'city-within-a-city' being built on the banks of Dubai Creek, is primed for a mega hospitality announcement at the Arabian Travel Market - the region's leading travel and tourism exhibition - which takes place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 3-6th May.

http://www.ameinfo.com/images/news/1/14021-dubaifestival.jpg
A panoramic view of the facilities on offer at Dubai Festival City, which is taking shape on the banks of the Creek.

The iconic, mixed-use destination is promising to deliver a new hospitality concept for the region, which it believes will place the inclusive waterfront destination firmly on the world's business and leisure travel map.

'At ATM we plan to introduce a completely new hospitality experience which will greatly differentiate Dubai Festival City from other developments in the region,' said Bassem Terkawi, Public Relations and Events Manager, Dubai Festival City.

The Middle East's largest, privately-funded mixed-use development has targeted the high profile Arabian Travel Market as a key platform to unveil its world-class hospitality offering.

'Arabian Travel Market attracts a huge international and regional media corps and a gathering of some of the region's and the world's top travel and tourism as well as MICE buyers,' said Terkawi. 'Our intention is to ensure they understand and appreciate the level of offering we will deliver.'

Earlier this year Dubai Festival City hit the hospitality headlines with the announcement of its Four Seasons Golf & Country Club and 150-berth Festival Marina super-yacht hub.

The Four Seasons Golf & Country Club, due to open early 2007, will include the magnificent 18-hole Creekside Al Badia golf course, designed by master golf course architect Robert Trent Jones II. It will also house Al Badia's exclusive clubhouse and associated facilities, tennis and squash courts as well as beauty, spa, massage and wellness rooms.

The Festival Marina is designed to deliver a Mediterranean marina lifestyle reminiscence of Nice and Cannes.

i can't spot the towers in there
i thought there should be a couple of high-rises

can't wait to know what this "mega hospitality announcement" is all about.

From today's Gulf News:

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid166/pf185a5579066d5ea0dbcfca74e2d7cff/f4526ac2.jpghttp://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid166/p100d779300f684bf6db229187fed2ff7/f4526ae9.jpg


There was a 1 : 100 scale on the rendering ... which means the tallest will be 400 m :eek2:

If you check the flash map on the website, the office park will be located at the extreme tip of the waterfront, near the new bridge.

http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/content/corporateoffice.html (there's a "zone plan" on top)

could this be part of the high-rise development giles was talking about
it was top-secret back then

giles - time to come up with details mate :D

400m is off da hook :eek:

will the versace hotel be in this development ??? anyone has any ideas ?

Versave hotel will be on the oposite side of the creek.

oh really, but there is nothing there ???

We had press releases for the projects to be done on that side. It was an Australian company.

oh really, but there is nothing there ???

yeah it will be developed in BB by an Australian company who ownes the versace hotel in The Gold Coast ,Australia

The name of the company is Palazzo and Here is the link for their website (http://www.palazzoversace.com.au/)

versace hotel?
never heard about it, just know the armani hotel in burj dubai

if you have details about this hotel, which seems to be in business bay, please post it there

oh my god, what a nice birthday present...
where is sa-boy? he talked about samething like that??
come on tell us more...!
the versace hotel was mentioned in an ameinfo article i think...

checked the website BinDubai provided, didnt find anything!

checked the website BinDubai provided, didnt find anything!

this website is for versace hotel in Australia .... The reason i provided the website was just to clear some point such as the hotel and the name of the company .. i'll try to provide an article about the Dubai Versace hotel :)

check this website for an article (http://au.news.yahoo.com/050206/2/sxnr.html)

The purchase also includes a residential tower site, which will be developed with Palazzo Versace Dubai, part of the hotel business of Italian fashion designer Donatella Versace.

exactly what i read somewhere else some days ago...
thanks...!

exactly what i read somewhere else some days ago...
thanks...!

ur most welcome :) so i understand that their will be a hotel and a tower ? and the net value is estimated at $1.6b ? correct me if i'm wrong ?

cant tell you any more just yet, big news soon, BTW what do you think of the towers in the renders above?

They are amazing! for once I hope the ones in the render will be the ones built

they look promising
but somehow they don't look like 400m towers
can we see single floors in the renders?

maybe those are just proposals or what .. or at least non of them is set to be a 400m...

they are real about to start but unfortunaly arent close to 400m. the render is pretty acurate and these towers will be probably the best looking architectally in the city. All the towers in DFC are well designed and have a relationship with the development and their neighbours as in they are not crass typical cheep Dubai towers

In the render in the newspaper, they had put a scale on the top right of the page (visible on what I posted also) saying: 1 : 100

Now the tallest tower was some 40 cm tall on the render, x 100 and you get 400 m.

I don't get it, why they should put such a miss-leading info on the ad? Did the advertising agency and developer's PR just messed things up? Or maybe they thought no one will ever care about or understand that "1 : 100" they left in there. :bash:

300m towers would be fine for me as well
when they're really good looking i don't care

but it's very misleading. if it's wrong why do they add these info?

Did I age ?!

40cm x 100 = 4000cm

1 m = 100cm

x m = 4000cm
x = 4000/100
x = 40m !

Maybe the ratio is 1:1000 ?

Sorry, yes it was 1 : 1,000.

In the render in the newspaper, they had put a scale on the top right of the page (visible on what I posted also) saying: 1 : 100

Now the tallest tower was some 40 cm tall on the render, x 100 and you get 400 m.

I don't get it, why they should put such a miss-leading info on the ad? Did the advertising agency and developer's PR just messed things up? Or maybe they thought no one will ever care about or understand that "1 : 100" they left in there. :bash:
remeber a scale is a ratio in realation to a particular paper size ie a 1:1000 on a A0 paper will be smaller than a 1:1000 on a A1 or A3 or A4 or whatever. The scale was right in relation to the paper size which is not mentioned and can be manipulated to suit the newspaper advert ie lengthend of strectched.
dont read anything in the scale size.
The towers are not that tall and will only be around 150m . Sorry guys but id rather have a good looking shorter building than a bland tall one

not sure if 400m beasts would fit into this development
150m is ok, which means they will have about 35 floors or so.
maybe they will build one taller tower

youre both right. a 400m tower on the creek... i don't know.
built it on szr!!

Etisalat signs MoU to create Dubai Festival City's telecoms system

Emirates Telecommunication Corporation (Etisalat) today signed a breakthrough Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dubai Festival City, the Middle East's largest, privately-funded mixed-use development, to design and construct the city-within-a-city's entire telecommunications infrastructure.

http://www.ameinfo.com/images/news/9/14119-etisalatdfc.jpg
Ghanim Al Marri, General Manager of Etisalat - Dubai Region, and David Glanville-Williams, Managing Director, Dubai Festival City

The agreement, signed by Ghanim Al Marri, General Manager of Etisalat - Dubai Region, and David Glanville-Williams, Managing Director, Dubai Festival City, comes at a critical stage in the development of the project.

Construction of the unique retail, hospitality and entertainment destination, which is taking place along four kilometers of Dubai Creek's banks, is progressing rapidly and the next phase, to include laying down the infrastructure, is imminent.

The signing, at Etisalat's premises in Dubai, gives the telecommunications corporation a crucial role in one of the biggest and most prestigious developments in the Emirate. Speaking after the signing, Al Marri said: 'We are pleased to partner Dubai Festival City in creating the Middle East's largest privately-funded, mixed-use Development'.

'Under the terms of the agreement, Etisalat will carry out the infrastructure planning and design to create a dedicated telecommunications corridor for the destination based on a 10-year forecast of need. The Corporation will put in place the elements of the system, including the fixed line network and the GSM. We will, of course, supervise and approve the final installation according to our standards.'

'This agreement came about because of Etisalat's strong track record and superb reputation. We are planning its involvement and have already allocated a telecom plot at the entry to Dubai Festival City to meet Etisalat's requirements. Further plots required for GSM masts and support facilities will be allocated in due course' said David Glanville-Williams.

Al Marri confirmed the agreement reflects Etisalat's commitment to expand its operations to cover all areas and developments in the UAE as it continues its drive to lead telecommunications in the region.

300m or higher is ridiculous for a project so close to the airport. Are they that keen on potential accidents??

well they should be of course...

SA BOY cleared that up. It will be 150 meter tall tower.

anything taller would be weird ...

Bastable appointed Director of Dubai Festival City's Deira International School

Educational Services Overseas Limited (ESOL), which is managing the two schools being built at Dubai Festival City, the 'city-within-a-city' taking shape on the banks of Dubai Creek, has appointed John Bastable as Director of the project's new British-curricula Deira International School (DIS).

http://www.ameinfo.com/images/news/9/14159-dis.jpg
(Insert) Bastable (Main Picture) Dubai Festival City's Deira International School.
'I am bringing with me a wealth of knowledge and experience, and my aim will be to steer DIS to the forefront of education in Dubai', said Bastable.

A graduate of the UK's celebrated Cambridge University, Bastable joins DIS from the prestigious Mercedes-Benz International School in India, which he founded and currently serves as Director. His 30-year educational career has also seen him teach in schools in the UK, Germany, Italy and Papua New Guinea.

Walid Abushakra, ESOL's Chairman commented: 'We are extremely fortunate to have a leading international educator of John's calibre join us. He will lead DIS to the forefront of international education in Dubai.'

DIS continues to receive applications for the 2005-06 academic year. The school is a Foundation Stage through Year 13 school, and its faculty has all been carefully screened and recruited from the UK. Its 80,000 sq. m. campus will boast some of the region's finest facilities.

DIS offers the National Curriculum for England as well as the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. The school also offers a strong Arabic and Islamic Studies programme for Arabic speakers.

'DIS and the Universal American School, which is also in Dubai Festival City will provide educational services not just to the residents of our Al Badia residential complex, but to the wider Dubai community,' explained Phil McArthur, Director Leasing & Marketing, Dubai Festival City.

'These high-quality schools are testimony to our commitment to develop a true city environment with all the facilities and amenities required of a world-class community.'

a render of the deira intl school

http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/schools/dieraSchool.jpg


and for the universal american school

http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/schools/uasSchool.jpg

funny lookin campus the second one

Dubai Festival City to host ME's largest hospitality cluster

May 4, 2005

Dubai Festival City, the 1,600 acre 'city-within-a-city' being built on the banks of Dubai Creek, today announced that it will host the Middle East's largest hospitality cluster under one project, one ownership and with the highest level of connectivity comprising more than 2,500 rooms spread throughout hotels, a convention centre, timeshare resorts and more facilities planned for the future.

The news came at Arabian Travel Market, the Middle East's premier travel and tourism event, where Dubai Festival City revealed that three of the world's leading hospitality operators have been appointed to manage hotels and a convention centre at the expansive waterfront destination with more to come.

"Even more properties - a 300 room boutique hotel and a 300 room budget hotel - are on the drawing board and negotiations with potential operators are already under way," said David Glanville-Williams, Managing Director, Dubai Festival City, according to a statement.

In addition a 300 apartment timeshare resort is planned and negotiations with potential operators are well advanced.

"We are in talks with a leading international hospitality operator to manage this large and specialised opportunity which will be unique in its accessibility to our main Festival Centre retail and entertainment hub and its proximity to the magnificent water frontage of Dubai Creek," added David Glanville-Williams.

"Timeshare is a relatively new concept within the Middle East, although well known in Europe and North America, and is one of the fastest-growing segments of the hospitality industry. It is now a crucial element of any destination claiming to serve the needs of the entire hospitality industry. Our aim is to deliver the most exclusive timeshare proposition in the region".

"The diversity of our offering, in one single project with the highest degree of connectivity delivers an all-in-one destination for leisure, business and entertainment." Dubai Festival City also announced that the Crowne Plaza is the latest operator to be appointed to manage a property at the destination.

Festival City to have largest hotel complex in Middle East

Dubai:

Dubai Festival City, developed by Al Futtaim Group, will host the Middle East's largest complex of hotels and recreational facilities worth Dh3 billion, its officials said.

"We are shifting our focus from the importance of location to the key element of connectivity in terms of the future of the hospitality sector," Marwan Shehadeh, director of finance for Dubai Festival City, said at the Arabian Travel Market.

The project, called the city within a city, will have a Dh250 million Crowne Plaza, a Dh750 million Four Seasons and a Dh600 million InterContinental hotel, its officials said.

It will also have a golf course, country club, convention centre and timeshare resorts, offering 2,500 rooms, which may increase to 4,000.

Hotels in the Festival City will open around the middle of 2007, they said.

"We are also in talks with three other hospitality operators, and they are from the United States and Europe," said David Glanville-Williams, Managing Director of Festival City.

The major components of the Festival City's first phase, including retail and residential facilities, for Dh10 billion is expected to be completed by September 2006.

Al Futtaim Group will finance the 1,600-acre project with funds from outside.

"We have signed up till now two loans with a syndication of local and international banks and we are planning to sign four more deals in the coming weeks," Shehadeh said.

unbelievable

and there are more hotels planned
we can be sure these proposed hotels will be approved soon!

A bad render of some of the hotels

http://www.dubaiphotomedia.com/Media/helo.jpg

DIS opens in September

The Deira International School opens its doors in September and is now accepting enrolment applications for students in FS1 to Year 10. The 850,000 sqft campus is located in the Dubai Festival City and includes excellent sports facilities. Many UK teachers will staff the school which follows the National Curriculum of England.

i think they putting up poster signs now on the other side of this project, along the Khail road, i saw them for the last two days, building these huge stands to post the posters on them, should be interesting what they will look like

funny lookin campus the second one

I liked it and think it's more creative.

could this be part of the high-rise development giles was talking about
it was top-secret back then

giles - time to come up with details mate :D

400m is off da hook :eek:

Did'nt Giles say there is a height cone around the airport which limits build height?

Did'nt Giles say there is a height cone around the airport which limits build height?


that's what he told us after my post
altin said there was a comparison between a human being and a tower
the tower would have been up to 400m then, so the comparison was wrong

he then told us the towers will be around 150m, which is better than nothing :D
looking forward to the design

ah 150m, that's a mid rise :D
but i hope it will look as good as all the other buildings in festival city...!

guys 3 hotels are under construction (four seasons, intercon and crown plaza) and 2 more (secret still ) will break ground within 6 months

nice to hear that!
low/mid/high rise??

2 more, nice secret
excited about which hotel groups

DFC opening plans

Dubai Festival City is planning a partial gradual opening of its development between July 2005 and April 2006, a representative told delegates at Waterfront Dubai 2005. The project will open a Toyota showroom, two schools, an Ikea store and hypermarket in the ten-month period. In 2006 DFC will release the second phase of its Al Badia Residence, a mix of Mediterranean-style townhouses and apartments.

Construction begins on second level of Dubai Festival City's retail hub

Dubai Festival City, the Middle East's largest privately-funded, mixed-use development taking shape on the banks of the Dubai Creek, has begun work on the superstructure of its centre piece, Festival Centre - the 2.6 million square feet retail, leisure and entertainment destination.

http://www.ameinfo.com/images/news/2/14652-festival.jpg
Over 500 workers involved in the Festival Centre construction celebrate starting work on the second floor.
With 90% of the substructure already finished and building commencing on the second floor, the Festival Centre is 50% complete and is on schedule for opening in September 2006.

'The Festival Centre is really taking shape and the entire framework for this exciting development has been completed,' said Phil McArthur, Director, Marketing & Leasing, Dubai Festival City. 'The second floor construction is the next major milestone and work is progressing rapidly and efficiently.'

Being constructed by Al-Futtaim Carillion, the Festival Centre will feature over 400 shops and 70 restaurants and cafes spread across four themed pavilions - all offering waterfront settings to diners. Over 20 major international brands will have their flagship stores at the development including the 270,000 square foot IKEA 'destination' store and a 175,000 square foot International hypermarket.

The first phase of the Festival Centre - the retail park - which will feature these two big box retailers will open in November of this year.

Meanwhile, work is expected to shortly commence on the Festival Centre's third floor roofing and the construction of the final component, a 12 cinema complex, is due to begin in the first quarter of next year.

Festival Centre, set around the 150-berth Mediterranean-style Festival Marina, heralds a new era of fusion offerings - providing the best of hospitality, retail, entertainment and community facilities and, with some 11,000 car parking spaces, it has the highest parking ratio in the country.

'Festival Centre seamlessly blends the very best facilities into one customer centric experience, accommodating every need of today's cosmopolitan visitor,' said McArthur.

Have people actually moved to DFC Residences yet? Nice place but travelling to Jumeirah, Bur Dubai SZR etc must be a real pain with all the traffic on Garhoud.

i'm not sure, but a couple of houses are finished near the main entrance

the al badia homes seem to be in progress right now
but i can't see any construction going on on the villas and houses

maybe giles can help us out? what is the construction status on the al badia house eg?

Work on Festival Centre superstructure begins

Staff Report

Dubai :
Dubai Festival City, the Middle East's largest privately-funded mixed-use development, has begun work on the superstructure of the Festival Centre, its 2.6 million square foot centrepiece.

With 90 per cent of the substructure already finished and building commencing on the second floor, the Festival Centre, a retail, leisure and entertainment-oriented space, is 50 per cent complete and is on schedule for opening in September 2006.

Dubai Festival City is located on the banks of Dubai Creek.

"The Festival Centre is really taking shape and the entire framework for this exciting development has been completed," said Phil McArthur, Dubai Festival City's director for marketing and leasing.

"The second floor construction is the next major milestone and work is progressing rapidly and efficiently," McArthur said.

Being constructed by Al-Futtaim Carillion, the Festival Centre will feature more than 400 shops and 70 restaurants and cafes spread across four themed pavilions all offering waterfront settings to diners.

More than 20 major international brands will have their flagship stores at the development, including the 270,000-square-foot IKEA destination store and a 175,000-square-foot International hypermarket, development representatives said.

The first phase of the Festival Centre the retail park, which will feature these two big box retailers will open in November this year.

In addition, work is expected to shortly commence on the Festival Centre's third floor roofing and the construction of the final component, a 12 cinema complex, is due to begin in the first quarter of next year.

The Festival Centre is set around the 150-berth Mediterranean-style Festival Marina. The centre will also offer about 11,000 car parking spaces.

Work under way on Festival Centre

Dubai

Work is expected to shortly commence on the roofing of the Festival Centre’s third floor while the construction of the final component, a 12 cinema complex, is due to begin in the first quarter of next year.

Festival Centre – the centrepiece of the Dubai Festival City (DFC) – is set around the 150-berth Mediterranean-style Festival Marina and heralds a new era of fusion offerings.
Being constructed by Al-Futtaim Carillion, the Festival Centre will feature over 400 shops and 70 restaurants and cafes spread across four themed pavilions – all offering waterfront settings to diners.

Launches
The DFC, meanwhile will open five major components between this July and April 2006 starting with the launch of the flagship Toyota showroom at the project's automotive park.
This will be followed by the opening of two schools – the British curricula Deira International School and US-curricula Universal American School – in September.
Two months later, the UAE’s largest Ikea will open at DFC’s retail park and will shortly be followed by another retailing milestone, the launch of a 175,000 sq ft hypermarket to be managed by a high profile international chain.
The Festival Centre's retail offering will span 2.6 million sq ft of retail gross leaseable area.

Dubai Festival City on target to open 'Retail Resort'

Dubai Festival City, the Middle East's largest, privately-funded, mixed-use development transforming the upper reaches of the historic Creek, has set out detailed plans to create an 'urban retail resort' to over 50 managers for some of the world's leading brands.

http://www.ameinfo.com/images/news/1/15721-dfc-june-19-2005g.jpg
A bird's eye view of Dubai Festival City and its waterfront Festival Centre


Phil McArthur, Director of Leasing & Marketing, Dubai Festival City highlighted the new developments that are shaping the city's all-encompassing 2.6 million square feet retail, hospitality and entertainment focal point, Festival Centre

'The last six months have seen our project's showpiece, Festival Centre, evolve to make it one of the region's most interesting and unique retail destinations,' said McArthur. 'We have continued to develop the plans to ensure we offer retailers and customers a multitude of experiences in one accessible waterfront environment.'

To help create this distinct urban retail resort, Dubai Festival City has rekindled its relationship with original masterplan architects, Jerde Partnership Inc, which brought its flair and vision to the Festival Centre layout.

'In conjunction with Jerde, we have created a retail and entertainment destination infused with water and generous public spaces that will confirm Festival Centre's place as a highly sought after meeting, dining and shopping magnet,' said McArthur.

'In addition, special features such our 'Sometime Pond' in the heart of the shopping centre can be drained to allow us to put on concerts, product launches and other events, which will add to its appeal.'

Festival Centre, to be fully completed in September 2006, will cater for every need by seamlessly integrating a variety of experiences, including 400 shops representing some of the world's leading brands, into the InterContinental, Crowne Plaza and Four Seasons hotels, creating the ultimate in luxury dining and accommodation.

Festival Centre will also offer one of the most diverse food and beverage collections in the region, boasting over 75 cafés and restaurants and fast food outlets. Carefully designed, each outlet will have a scenic, waterfront setting.

In addition, it will also feature the 150 berth Festival Marina, a Mediterranean style harbour, allowing yacht owners and visitors access to the centre's offerings, whilst contributing to Dubai's reputation as a leading maritime hub.

'Festival Centre's unique fusion concept is ideal in positioning Dubai Festival City as one of the region's most innovative developments,' said McArthur.

One of the key factors discussed at the presentation was the need to tackle the emirate's growing problem of traffic congestion.

'Accessibility has also been a key factor in the development of our retail hub with over 13,000 parking spaces being made available, the highest parking ratio in the UAE.

'Further to this, meticulous planning of road networks which dovetail into the Dubai Municipality's masterplan, coupled with direct access into the heart of Dubai Festival City by the new 12 lane Ras Al Khor bridge, will ensure traffic congestion is a thing of the past'.

Festival Centre's is rising from the land and the first phase, set for completion towards the end of 2005, will feature retail outlets offering household and convenience goods, including the UAE's largest IKEA store and a leading hypermarket.

Dubai Festival City moves ahead with newly structured contracts


Design and construct contracts mean the contractor is able to work with the developer’s staff on the more detailed elements of the design.
Dubai Festival City moves ahead with newly structured contracts
David Glanville-Williams doesn’t like to see projects just stuttering along, which is why he wasted no time in transforming Dubai Festival City into one of the busiest construction sites in the UAE.

The dramatic change in pace is largely due to the fact that the project was converted from simple lump sum tendering to fast track design and construct type contracts, earlier this year.

The decision was made because the development team felt that full documentation was too time consuming and slowed down the whole construction process.

“Full documentation was too slow. If you have all the time in the world you can achieve to 100% design resolution, have full documentation, send it out for tender and assess it when it comes back. If you are lucky about you will start pouring concrete a third of the way down the time line,” says David L. Glanville-Williams, managing director, Dubai Festival City.
“That is simply too long winded and drawn out for this project,” he adds.

Under the new approach, the first day that concrete is poured on site is critical since that is the first day that actual work
begins, as opposed to just design work. Once the initial concrete is poured, the project is then driven so that it reaches completion as quickly as possible.

“We now aim for to get the first yard of concrete into the ground as fast as possible,” says Glanville-Williams.
With design and construct contracts, the contractor is
able to work with the developer’s staff on the more detailed elements of the design like the performance specifications, and devise a solution that the contractor is able to build within the specified timeframe.

The project has predetermined budget constraints, so the contracts are let as guaranteed maximum price contracts with pain and gain sharing type arrangements built in to encourage both sides to finish quickly and within budget, by providing clear and specified benefits.

“The contracts are framed so that both sides effectively win if the job is able to finish faster, or lose if they finish slow,” explains Glanville-Williams.

As far as suppliers and sub-contractors are concerned, the contractor proposes a list of preferred companies, although in some instances the developer provides nominated suppliers when a particular item that the local market tends not to offer is specified.

Speed is also promoted when selecting building methodologies. Many of the contractors working on the project have been able to introduce time saving alternatives to the systems that would otherwise have been employed.

“If a contractor can come up with something better that gets the job done faster, then that is of interest. For example, the towers for the hotels will be slipformed continuously over 24 hours, so we expect to slip a core in about 35 days,” says Glanville-Williams.

The contractual changes have meant that the project is moving much faster than it was previously. When Construction Week visited the site last year the excavation work on Zone 8 was nearing completion, and the golf course along with 64 townhouses was nearing completion.

The site has changed dramatically since then. Work is now clearly underway on Zones 1, parts of 2, 4, 7 and 8, with all aiming for completion by September 2006. Some, like the automotive component and the two schools, are scheduled for even earlier completion dates later this year.

The works scheduled for completion next year are the main retail mall, a hypermarket, the golf course’s clubhouse, and the Intercontinental, Crown Plaza and Four Seasons Hotels.
As the largest zone currently under development, Zone 8 — the retail mall — currently dominates the site.

Sitting alongside the Creek, the mall has two levels of parking providing 6500 parking spaces below ground and will eventually have 120 000 m3 of retail space on the three levels above ground. The main contractor for these works is Al Futtaim Carillion.

A footbridge from Zone 8 connects to another retail component, Zone 4. The atrium is being built by Higgs & Hill, while Al Futtaim Carillion will built the rest of the zone. Once complete, Zone 4 will be home to a new hypermarket and Ikea furniture store.

The clubhouse next to the golf course has now been under construction for several months, with Khansaheb as the main contractor. Work has already reached the third level.

Another clearly visible part of the site is the automotive component. The component was originally meant to be nearer to Garhoud than its current location, but it had to be relocated in order to make way for the fourth Creek crossing that is now under construction. A dedicated filter lane leading directly into the heart of Dubai Festival City will run from the bridge.

Work is also underway on one of the most critical components of the development, the district cooling system. Drake & Scull is installing the system as part of Zone 10a, which is the largest operational contract at Dubai Festival City.

The first phase of the works involves the installation of 50 000 t of cooling capacity, and the second is for another 30 000 t that will bring the total capacity up to 80 000 t.

Off site, masterplanning work is currently underway on the
1500 houses that will be built on the 20 m-high man made elevation that flanks the golf course to the west. The designs for the Intercontinental Hotel by the Creek are now nearly complete, which means work will start on site soon.

Further down the Creek towards town, a number of high rises have been designed, but the plans are currently waiting on a
government decision that will determine the new height limits for buildings that are near to the airport.

“At the moment we believe we can go up to 30 storeys, but we may be able to go as high as 60. It all depends on what decision the government makes,” says Glanville-Williams.
And when that decision is made, it shouldn’t be too long before the towers are clear for take off themselves.

good to know
height limit may be set at 30 storeys, could go up to 60 as well

Dubai Festival City gives project details to brand managers

20 June 2005

DUBAI — Dubai Festival City, the Middle East’s largest, privately funded, mixed use development transforming the upper reaches of the historic Creek, has set out detailed plans to create an “urban retail resort” to over 50 managers for some of the world’s leading brands.


Phil McArthur, Director of Leasing and Marketing, Dubai Festival City, highlighted the new developments that are shaping the city’s all encompassing 2.6 million square feet retail, hospitality and entertainment focal point, Festival Centre

McArthur said: “The last six months have seen our project’s showpiece, Festival Centre, evolve to make it one of the region’s most interesting and unique retail destinations. We have continued to develop the plans to ensure we offer retailers and customers a multitude of experiences in one accessible waterfront environment.”

To help create this distinct urban retail resort, Dubai Festival City has rekindled its relationship with original masterplan architects, Jerde Partnership Inc, which brought its flair and vision to the Festival Centre layout. “In conjunction with Jerde, we have created a retail and entertainment destination infused with water and generous public spaces that will confirm Festival Centre’s place as a highly sought after meeting, dining and shopping magnet,” added McArthur.

Festival Centre, to be fully completed in September 2006, will cater for every need by seamlessly integrating a variety of experiences, including 400 shops representing some of the world’s leading brands, into the InterContinental, Crowne Plaza and Four Seasons hotels, creating the ultimate in luxury dining and accommodation.

“Festival Centre’s unique fusion concept is ideal in positioning Dubai Festival City as one of the region’s most innovative developments,” said McArthur.

One of the key factors discussed at the presentation was the need to tackle the emirate’s growing problem of traffic congestion.

Dubai Festival City signs AED 660m loan for mega hospitality and business hub

The Al Futtaim Group, a leading business house in the UAE, has arranged an AED 660 million 12 year facility agreement to part finance the construction of a mega hospitality and business hub at its flagship project, Dubai Festival City - the Middle East's largest, privately-funded, mixed-use development taking shape on the banks of the historic Creek.

http://www.ameinfo.com/images/news/9/15879-adcb.jpg
Omar Al Futtaim (right) signing the agreement with Eirvin Knox.

The deal, signed with one of the leading financial institutions in the UAE, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB), is to part finance the AED 1.3 billion 422 room and 80 apartment iconic convention hotel, InterContinental Dubai Festival City, its 4,500 square metre state-of-the-art Conference Centre, the 318 room Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City and a 25 storey 596,000 square foot office tower.

Speaking at the signing, Omar Al Futtaim, CEO of the Al Futtaim Group said: 'This is a significant financial arrangement for Dubai Festival City as we continue to develop the core of its leading hospitality and business hubs. This agreement reflects the confidence the financial industry has both in our project and in the UAE real estate market in general.'

The InterContinental Dubai Festival City, which is primed to be the hotel management brand's world-wide flagship property, is expected to be completed in January 2007. In addition, the InterContinental Hotels Group will manage the InterContinental Convention Centre which will be a major addition to the UAE's and the region's MICE offering with a capacity for up to 4,000 guests and delegates.

'We applaud the efforts of the Al Futtaim Group in the development of this world class destination. With its continued support, we are confident that our Dubai Festival City property will be a regional beacon of excellence for the InterContinental brand,' said Chris Moloney, Chief Operating Officer, Middle East & Africa for InterContinental Hotels Group.

In addition, the deal will finance the construction of the Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City, which will be seamlessly connected to the InterContinental offering. These properties, which are already well under construction, will form the core components of the all-encompassing city's hospitality cluster - the largest for a single project in the Middle East.

'This transaction is an expression of Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank's commitment to providing well thought out and innovative financing solutions for major projects that will enhance Dubai's status as the business and tourist hub of the Middle East,' said Eirvin Knox, CEO, ADCB.

'This financing is the continuation of a long standing partnership with the Al Futtaim Group and highlights ADCB's strategy of contributing to the growth of business in the UAE by investing in major projects that will have a long term impact on the nation's future prosperity.'

The deal will also finance the development of a 596,000 square foot office tower which is connected to both the Intercontinental and Crowne Plaza hotels as well as to the 2.6 million square foot retail, hospitality and entertainment focal point, Festival Centre.

'One of the unique aspects of Dubai Festival City's hospitality and entertainment offerings is the connectivity between all the relevant components. Visitors and residents will be able to walk throughout the hotels and the giant Festival Centre with ease and in the comfort of air-conditioned walkways,' explained Al Futtaim.

Giving life to a new downtown café culture, Festival Centre will host 400 shops and 70 restaurants and cafes, many facing the waterfront in a Riviera-style setting. Renowned and new-to-market food and beverage outlets will be found in themed pavilions strategically located between a Canal Walk and the Festival Marina ensuring waterfront views for all.

if i read all this stuff DFC seems to be bigger then i always thought it will be.

yes
it's a massive project and still nothing is visible except the few showroom townhouses and the school on al rebat street

but heavy heavy construction traffic

the new 4 seasons seems to be built right in the middle of the golf course :eek:

i think it will be a real mess soon!

You can get a great view of the waterfront developments from Al Garhud bridge.

...The InterContinental Dubai Festival City ... is primed to be the hotel management brand's world-wide flagship property...

I like that :cheers:

You can get a great view of the waterfront developments from Al Garhud bridge.

while you stuck in traffic ... :D

yes
it's a massive project and still nothing is visible except the few showroom townhouses and the school on al rebat street

but heavy heavy construction traffic

the new 4 seasons seems to be built right in the middle of the golf course :eek:

i think it will be a real mess soon!
Dennis , that is the club house for the golf course and will be managed by Four Seasons. the four seasons resort is at the bottowm of the course between the 3rd green and creek. Its where the massive scaffold tower is

ADCB gives big loan to Festival City

Dubai:
Al Futtaim Group, a leading business house in the UAE, has secured a Dh660 million from Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank to partly finance the construction of a big hotel and business hub in the Dubai Festival City.

The Festival City, on the banks of Dubai Creek, is the group's flagship project and the Middle East's largest privately-funded mixed-use development.

Omar Al Futtaim, Al Futtaim Group's chief executive, said: "This is a significant financial arrangement for Dubai Festival City as we continue to develop the core of its leading hospitality and business hubs."

"This agreement reflects the confidence the financial industry has both in our project and in the UAE real estate market in general," he said.

The group will use the money from the 12-year deal for the construction of projects worth Dh1.3 billion, including the InterContinental Dubai Festival City a hotel with 422 rooms, 80 apartments and a 4,500 square metre conference centre the 318-room Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City, and a 25-storey, 596,000 square foot office tower.

The InterContinental Dubai Festival City, the group's flagship hotel, is expected to be completed in January 2007. The other hotel, Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City, will be connected to the InterContinental. These properties, which are under construction, will form the core of the city's cluster of hotels the largest such cluster in the Middle East.

The 596,000 square foot office tower will be connected to the InterContinental and the Crowne Plaza hotels and the 2.6 million square foot Festival Centre, a retail, hotel and entertainment complex.

Giving life to a new downtown café culture, Festival Centre will host 400 shops, 70 restaurants and cafes, many of which will face the waterfront in a Riviera-style setting.

Renowned food and beverage outlets will be found in themed pavilions between a Canal Walk and the Festival Marina, ensuring waterfront views for all.

Eirvin Knox, chief executive officer of Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, said, "This financing is the continuation of a long-standing partnership with the Al Futtaim Group and highlights ADCB's strategy of contributing to the growth of business in the UAE by investing in major projects that will have a long-term impact on the nation's future prosperity."

sa boy asked me about my experience at the al badia over at the al murooj thread

here we go:
giles, this course is amazing!
i'm sure you have played it yourself already :D

the quality of the fairways, greens (although aerified last week!) are in excellent condition. there are no burnt spots

the majlis at emirates and the montgomerie lack in quality a bit at this time!!!

the lakes are terrificly positioned as well as the bunkers
playing it the first time can become very "ball consuming"

many of the holes are tough to play

but i could play 3 birdies and 1 eagle yesterday

my first eagle ever on the 18th, a par 5 over the water.
1st shot: drive over the water in mid of fairway
2nd shot: long fairway shot next to the green
3rd shot: chip in the hole from 15m!!!!

and 3 birdies on holes 4,6,7


the only thing disturbing is that nothing is around the course yet

also the service seems to be much better here, maybe because only a few people play here
but at the montgomerie the guys at the driving range and bag drop are not concentrated
they sometimes forget to put ice into the club car's box, sometimes forget water, towels
even though there still is not much going on in the afternoon at other courses, despite lots of staff they are not able to handle it

at al badia it worked perfectly

i'm waiting for the clubhouse boy, but construction is well under way

montgomerie also builds a new one, with a small hotel
arabian ranches has an excellent new one

don't worry boy, it's a great challenging course, soon to be in a nice project



btw - will the 4 seasons be on this huge fenced in plot in the middle of the course???

Dennis, I play about once a week there althoiugh its getting too hot to play. The course is great and when we finnish it will really be in a great setting.
the club house is under way as ypou can see and next to it Il developing a four seasons country club with all the sporting facilities you could wish for. Around the course (behind the barasti fence) will be residential plots for villas , town house and some low rise residential blocks. The 'island pods' which are completly surrounded by golf course and lakes will be the last residential plots so they will be very high end.
the four seasons will be on the creek and will be built on a man made hill so it will have amazing views over the creek and all the way to the Burj Al Arab.
Im glad you enjoyed the course and im sure you will be back. Ill pass on your comments about our staff and believe me they are that good and have been since we opened

of course i will be back
maybe once again before i leave

maybe we can play together next winter
what's your handicap?

we had a tee-time at 3pm, so it's still hot but you can play
but on the final holes you feel you lose concentration
like me on the 9th (we started 10th), i hit 2 balls into the lake on the right side :D


hopefully the plots surrounding the golf course will be built up first!

golfer guys you are.
maybe i should start aswell. i had my first lesson few weeks ago...

the golf course residential is under concept design now and should be started before years end. Thats only on the 1 side and the club house and country club will be on the other side so its only the boittow of the course that will be open for a while.
handicap is 22 as I have only started playng regularly this year and unfortunatly only get in 9 holes at a time.

:D
well, mine is 20 and also a result of not playing regularly since 2 years :eek:
home course in germany was 35km away and bad course conditions most of the year as well as wind, rain, thunderstorms, snow,.... :(
i plan to become a uga member here with my dad
we don't know which club we will chose, depends on where we move a bit


what do you think, when will festival city be completed? 2009?

while you stuck in traffic ... :D

... and if you're not the driver... :devil:

I would take up golf if there were lots of MINI-GOLF courses here, I love those :D

Are there any minigolf courses in Dubai???

never seen one.
maybe withn the normal golf corses.

This is probably one of the best projects in Dubai that is 'realistic' and you could find in any other world city.

Retail resort takes shape at DFC

Dubai

Dubai Festival City, the Middle East’s largest privately-funded, mixed-use development taking shape on the banks of Dubai Creek, is set to open five major components over the next year, starting with the launch of the flagship Toyota showroom at the project’s automotive park this month.

Other showrooms that are are being built include those for Lexus, Honda, Volvo, Jeep, Chrysler and Dodge, completing its automotive park offering by December and redefining the car buying experience in Dubai.

The launch of the city-within-a-city’s two new schools in September, the American Universal School and Deira International School, will complete the development's educational offering.

November will see the opening of the UAE's largest Ikea store at DFC’s centrepiece destination, Festival Centre – a 2.6 million sq ft retail, entertainment and hospitality epicentre fronted by the Dubai Creek views.
Phil McArthur, director of leasing and marketing, Dubai Festival City, recently highlighted to over 50 managers for some of the world's leading brands the new developments that are shaping Festival Centre which is being fashioned into an ‘urban retail resort’.

To be fully completed in September 2006, the Festival Centre will cater for every need by seamlessly integrating a variety of experiences, including 400 shops representing some of the world's leading brands.

To help create this distinct urban retail resort, Dubai Festival City has rekindled its relationship with original masterplan architects, Jerde Partnership, which brought its flair and vision to the Festival Centre layout.
“In conjunction with Jerde, we have created a retail and entertainment destination infused with water and generous public spaces that will confirm Festival Centre’s place as a highly sought-after meeting, dining and shopping magnet,” said McArthur. “In addition, special features such as our ‘Sometime Pond’ in the heart of the shopping centre –which can be drained to allow us to put on concerts, product launches and other events – will add to its appeal.”

Festival Centre will also offer one of the most diverse food and beverage collections in the region, boasting over 75 cafes and restaurants and fast-food outlets each of which will have a scenic, waterfront setting.
In addition, it will also feature the 150-berth Festival Marina, a Mediterranean-style harbour, allowing yacht owners and visitors access to the centre’s offerings, whilst contributing to Dubai's reputation as a leading maritime hub.

“Accessibility has also been a key factor in the development of our retail hub with over 13,000 parking spaces being made available, the highest parking ratio in the UAE. Further to this, meticulous planning of road networks which dovetail into the Dubai Municipality's masterplan, coupled with direct access into the heart of Dubai Festival City by the new 12-lane Ras Al Khor bridge, will ensure traffic congestion is a thing of the past,” he added.

Festival Centre’s first phase, set for completion towards the end of this year, will feature retail outlets offering household and convenience goods.
During the first half of this year, the Dubai Festival City launched its massive hospitality offering “the largest, seamlessly connected, single project hospitality collection in the Middle East, which boasts over 2,500 rooms spread across some of the world's leading hotel management brands,” according to a spokesman for DFC.

“We have also opened the 18-hole championship golf course, Al Badia, which has been designed by master course architect, Robert Trent Jones II. The Four Seasons Golf and Country Club, which will include the A1 Badia golf course and its iconic club house, was also unveiled,” he added.

In 2006, DFC intends to launch of the second phase of its Al Badia Residential with some 190 homes, a mix of Mediterranean-style townhouses and luxury apartments all withviews of the Al Badia course.

Construction on schedule for iconic Al Badia golf course club house

Construction is on schedule for the iconic clubhouse planned for the Al Badia golf course at Dubai Festival City, the 'city-within-a-city' being built on the banks of Dubai Creek.

http://www.ameinfo.com/images/news/7/16187-albadia.jpg
The signature clubhouse is taking shape overlooking the 9th and 18th holes of the world-class Al Badia golf course.

The clubhouse - the design for which has been inspired by Dubai Festival City's logo - will be completed in the first quarter of 2006.

'This facility will be another signature building in Dubai's growing reputation as an architectural powerhouse,' said Roger Morris, General Manager, Al Badia. 'It will have stunning views of the Al Badia golf course, of the creek and on to the evolving skyline of Sheikh Zayed Road and beyond.'

Taking shape overlooking the 9th and 18th greens of Al Badia is the main shell of the clubhouse and its amenity buildings. The starter and comfort huts, which will be the first facilities to open, are scheduled for completion this summer.

'The clubhouse will rise to the challenge of creating a stunning building which will be an impressive facility for golfers and a desirable social gathering place for non-players,' added Morris.

The Al Badia clubhouse, designed by international consultants Wimberley Allison, Tong & Goo, will have restaurants, lounges, a pro shop and banqueting facilities while the surrounding terrace will offer fabulous views of Dubai.

Being constructed by Khansaheb, the clubhouse will be managed by Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts and will be the luxury hospitality brand's first golf offering in the Middle East. The Four Seasons Golf and Country Club at Dubai Festival City includes the 18 hole championship Al Badia course, designed by famed course architect Robert Trent Jones II, which is currently open for pay-and-play, and additional leisure and lifestyle facilities in the extensive country club which is currently under design.

Question for SA BOY:

There's a central core gone up at least 10 floors but not followed by the rest of the building. What is that? Is maybe the Intercontinental Hotel?

shame on you
wanted to ask the same thing

there is some kind of a core, very thin, looking like a watchtower maybe some 400m away from the al badia clubhouse

giles - what is it??!!

its the lift core for the first office block-28floors and a nice design. Its stoped for now while they change the slipform to the high rise floors which will be a smaller core. At 18th floor now.
Soon you will see the Intercon rising in front of this core and thats a great looking building

as for the club house, thats another of my projects and is looking good. Its going to be without a doubt the most arechitectually stunning building in Dubai. I know thats a big statement but give it 6 months and you will see why.

great news :D though i would prefer a render instead of blabla ;)

btw we could open a new thread for the 28F?

giles, you don't have to tell me the clubhouse looks great
i've carefully looked at the model in the current "club house" a couple of times and it's definitely awesome

good work!


will the towers in dfc be spread all over the project or just in this particular area, between the festival centre and al badia
hope so, would make a nice cluster

keep us updated

will any towers be launched publicly, i mean will there be press releases on ameinfo.com or gulfnews.com? or even ads in the newspapers?

giles, you don't have to tell me the clubhouse looks great
i've carefully looked at the model in the current "club house" a couple of times and it's definitely awesome



we don't have any photos... :sleepy:

you can least check the renders on www.dubaifestivalcity.com

Harbour Plazza, Waterfront

http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/20050519/Waterfront/HarbourPlaza.jpg

Gourgeous :eek2:

Office Park

http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/20050519/Office%20Park/OfficePark2.jpg

http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/20050519/Office%20Park/OfficePark.jpg

http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/20050519/Office%20Park/OfficePark3.jpg


Hotels:

http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/20050519/Hotel/InterContinental1.jpg

http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/20050519/Hotel/InterContinental2.jpg

looks amazing indeed...is this dubai metro tower development :D ??

Sorry but I have to post this also:

http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/20050519/Construction/DFC.jpg

:cheers:

thats why there are 15% of the cranes in dubai.
worth another thread in world section?

its difficult as there is so much happening here that I cant tell you about for obviouse reasons but belive me this development will be world class when its finnished. The style of architure will be modern and better than most of the developments in Dubai.
You will all just have to wait and see

ofcourse coz u are in charge

wow
they have new renders on the website

damn, harbor plaza looks awesome!! great design :eek:

post the render i cannot find the new ones...

Retail
http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/20050519/Retail%20Park/FC_RP.jpg
http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/20050519/Retail%20Park/RPExterior.jpg

Festival Centre

http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/20050519/Festival%20Centre/FestivalSquare.jpg
http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/20050519/Festival%20Centre/FCInterior.jpg
http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/20050519/Festival%20Centre/CanalwalkFC.jpg
http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/20050519/Festival%20Centre/BoulevardFC.jpg

Hotels

http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/20050519/Hotel/CrownePlaza.jpg
http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/20050519/Hotel/InterContinental1.jpg
http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/20050519/Hotel/InterContinental2.jpg
http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/20050519/Hotel/InterContinental3.jpg

Office Park

http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/20050519/Office%20Park/NOfficePark.jpg
http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/20050519/Office%20Park/OfficePark.jpg
http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/20050519/Office%20Park/OfficePark2.jpg
http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/20050519/Office%20Park/OfficePark3.jpg

Marina

http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/20050519/Marina/Marina.jpg
http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/20050519/Marina/MarinaWalk.jpg

Waterfront

http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/images/20050519/Waterfront/HarbourPlaza.jpg
HarbourPlaza

this is not new dennis.. i saw tha harbour plaza some days ago already. but right it looks awesome. we need new thread soon...

Volvo Construction Equipment chosen for prestigious developments in Dubai

Al-Futtaim Auto Machinery Company (FAMCO), the sole distributor for Volvo Construction Equipment in the UAE, has been invited to provide a further supply of Volvo backhoe loaders, graders, hydraulic excavators and wheel loaders for the prestigious Dubai Festival City development being built on the banks of Dubai Creek.


http://www.ameinfo.com/images/news/9/16989-volvo.jpg
A Volvo hydraulic excavator at the Dubai Festival City development. Seen in the background, one of the largest IKEA stores in the region taking shape.


The Volvo construction equipment is in addition to that already chosen by Al-Futtaim Carillion for the initial stages of the project.

Volvo Construction Equipment is highly regarded in the UAE where it has also been selected for high-ranking projects such as Dubai Marina and Emirates Hills, as well as the world-famous Palm Island Jebel Ali. Volvo is particularly popular in the region not only for it technical performance, but also for the after-sales support given by FAMCO's three branches, in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.

The construction industry has been growing solidly in the Middle East in recent years, particularly in the UAE, which is now an extremely popular destination with visitor coming from worldwide both for holidays and to buy property.

'Volvo construction equipment has an extremely good reputation in the construction industry in the UAE. The durability and reliability of the equipment is incredible which is why it is the preferred choice,' said Paul F. Ward, Plant and Transport Manager, AF Carillion.

'One of the attractive features of the Volvo equipment is its effective cooling system, which is so important in this climate, and of course customers can rest assured that FAMCO is on hand day and night to solve any problems that might arise,' added Ward.

A member of the Al-Futtaim Group, FAMCO is committed to providing outstanding second-to-none service levels to customers and to maintain quality, safety and environmental standards at the highest possible levels.

An ISO 9001:2000 (Quality Standard) and ISO 14001 (Environment Standard) certified company, FAMCO received performance awards from both Volvo Construction Equipment and Volvo Trucks in 2004 for outstanding sales and excellence in after sales support.

you should see the core of the office tower, looking good

Dubai Festival City unveils AED 1.4 billion signature Hillside Community development

Dubai Festival City, the Middle East's largest, privately-funded, mixed-use development which is transforming the banks of Dubai's historic Creek, has unveiled its AED 1.4 billion 'Hillside Community' residential project - a stunning, 36 hectare village of Gulf Arabian-style homes on a man- made hill in the heart of this all-encompassing development.

http://www.ameinfo.com/images/news/3/17093-hillside.jpg
An artist's rendering of the stunning, 36 hectare Hillside Residential development.


Boasting over 900 one, two and three bedroom designer apartments and 400 three and four bedroom elegant townhomes, 'Hillside Community' is planned to create a terraced Gulf Arabian-style 'village' on a 25 metre high, man-made hill that overlooks the Dubai Creek and the Al Badia Golf course.

'This is another regional first from Dubai Festival City as we create a signature terraced residential landmark,' said Phil McArthur, Director Leasing & Marketing, Dubai Festival City.

'Hillside Community is an important addition to Dubai Festival City's imaginative residential portfolio. It will deliver a unique community atmosphere which will seamlessly blend stunning design with tranquillity to create one of the region's most desirable living environments.'

Designed by world-renowned French architect and town planner, Xavier Bohl, 'Hillside Community' takes its influence from traditional Arabian architecture that is rooted in the region cultural heritage. The first phase, that will include 180 stylish apartments, is expected to be ready by October 2006. The remaining 1,100 properties will be rolled out in consequent phases over an intensive two to three year schedule. In total, over 7,000 people are expected to live at the development.

The 'Hillside Community' apartments will be divided into 37 condo style buildings ranging from 7 to 10 storeys with unrivalled views of the sweeping banks of the Creek, Dubai Festival City's 18-hole Al Badia championship golf course and its vibrant centrepiece, Festival Centre - a 2.6 million square foot hospitality, leisure, entertainment and retail destination which backdrops the 150-berth Festival Marina.

'Work on the first phase of apartments is expected to commence shortly and we are currently in negotiations with a number of reputed contractors,' said McArthur. 'The 'Hillside Community' apartments will offer residents a reprieve from the hustle of the surrounding city.'

The project's exclusive townhouses and stand-alone penthouses, which will flank the 'Hillside Community' terracing, will provide an intimate living environment for residents. Recreating distinctive Gulf Arabian villas, these structured homes will be back-dropped by stunning rock landscaping and greenery.

'Designed to embrace the architecture of the Gulf, these townhouses and penthouses will combine modern comforts with warm Arabian tradition, all infused with serene and dramatic surroundings,' said McArthur.

Logistically, the development of the hill, which is nearing completion, has been a massive undertaking and has seen over 2.5 million cubic metres of fill material, being relocated from excavation for the ongoing Dubai International Airport expansion.

'This has been an impressive achievement by any means as we have been importing a staggering amount of excavated fill material from the airport expansion development,' explained McArthur. 'Trucks have been delivering the fill material for the last 24 months in order for us to complete this man made hillside.

To ensure that the project creates a sense of place and community spirit, 'Hillside Community' will incorporate a plethora of neighbourhood facilities including a stylish art gallery, a 44,000 square foot community centre. The focus of the project will be the public square (Maidan) that sits at the highest part of the site (25m above the Creek). The Maidan will be a public destination place for the residents and visitors and will include shops, cafes, galleries, parks and will be a place where people will gather because of the views and sense of place.

Public parks are also seen as an important element in the design of the development and a public park has been incorporated with meandering walkways, communal swimming pools, sports and recreational grasses, cascading water features and secluded spaces.

'The sense of community was an essential factor when designing 'Hillside Community' as we needed to ensure that it could become a place to live and play,' said McArthur. 'Open spaces and areas where people can relax and stroll all add to the calm and closeness of the development.'

In keeping with the entire ethos of Dubai Festival City, accessibility was also a crucial design factor.

'It was important for us to create a well planned and efficient road network that is effective without intruding on the serene village atmosphere,' explained McArthur.

'Parking has also been a major consideration and we have ensured an extremely high car parking space ratio in the residences and communal areas to eliminate overcrowding.'

Leasing for 'Hillside Community' first phase is to begin within the coming October.

...and again more villas.. though these could turn out really good.

you should see the core of the office tower, looking good

Saw it today. Impressive!!!

There was a shorter core attached to that one and the rest of the building had broken ground already. There were other cores rising nearby as well :cheers:

ESOL takes delivery of two Dubai Festival City schools

Educational Services Overseas Limited (ESOL) LLC FZ, which is managing the two new schools at Dubai Festival City, the city-within-a-city being built on the banks of the Creek, has taken delivery of the Deira International School (DIS) and Universal American School (UAS), both of which are to open as originally scheduled on September 10th.

http://www.ameinfo.com/images/news/4/17174-UniversalAmericanSchooldfc.jpg
Universal American School - UAS is set to become a leading US-curricula school in the UAE.


The Director of the British-curricula DIS and Director of UAS received the new state-of-the-art campuses from David Glanville-Williams, Managing Director, Dubai Festival City.

A student body comprising 35 nationalities has now enrolled for both schools, which are due to raise the bar on educational facilities in the UAE.

'With this world-class infrastructure DIS is set to quickly make its mark on the local educational scene and with such a diverse make up of nationalities among their student body, both DIS and UAS will be truly international and cosmopolitan in ethos,' said Glanville-Williams.

The DIS campus spans some 80,000 square metres while UAS takes up 65,000 square metres. Both boast Olympic-size track and soccer fields, vocal and band music rooms, art studios, computer and science laboratories, extensive libraries, large auditoriums and swimming pools.

'We have been through a major recruiting drive that has guaranteed the best faculty staff for both schools,' explained Glanville-Williams. 'Given the diversity of student nationalities, we plan an opening which will be truly international in flavour.

DIS is a foundation stage through Year 13 school and its faculty has been recruited from the UK. It offers the national curriculum for England, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma programme as well as a solid Arabic and Islamic Studies programme for Arabic speakers.

UAS is a K-12 school with a faculty recruited from the USA and Canada. It offers an American curriculum as well as the IB programme.

The schools are the latest in a city community offering emanating from Dubai Festival City, which is the region's largest, privately-funded mixed-use development project.

'The response to the schools, both from within our own Al Badia golf course residential estate and surrounding areas has been highly encouraging and we envisage both DIS and UAS being key elements in our all-inclusive community which will have everything residents and visitors alike could image in one place,' said Glanville-Williams.

'The opening of both schools heralds the start of a hectic schedule of infrastructure delivery planned by Dubai Festival City for the months ahead.'

Saw it today. Impressive!!!

There was a shorter core attached to that one and the rest of the building had broken ground already. There were other cores rising nearby as well :cheers:
the big core (up to 27th floor today) has a low rise sectiona nd a high rise section and is the office tower. The blue core forms are for the intercon.
The next big one to rise is the harbour plaza towers on the creek side of the toyota building

دبي فستيفال سيتي تكشف النقاب عن مشروع "مرسى الخور" بتكلفة 6

Sep 13, 2005 - 06:16 -



دبي في 13 سبتمبر / وام / كشفت دبي فستيفال سيتي المشروع العقاري الخاص المتعدد الاغراض الذي يتم تطويره على ضفاف خور دبي والتابع لمجموعة الفطيم النقاب عن مشروع /مرسى الخور/ السكني والتجاري الذي تبلغ تكلفة تطويره 6 مليارات درهم ويمتد على مساحة 245 الف متر مربع يطل على مياة خور دبي الذي يضاهي بجماله بعض الواجهات المائية مثل كيب تاون وسيدني . ويقع مشروع /مرسى الخور/ في المنطقة الواقعة بين جسر القرهود وجسر رأس الخور الجديد وسيتم تنفيذه على مراحل مختلفة على أن يتم الإنتهاء من تنفيذ المراحل الأولى خلال العام 2007.

وقال عمر الفطيم الرئيس التنفيذي لمجموعة الفطيم إن المشروع سيسهم في رفع مستوى وجودة المشاريع التجارية والسكنية المتعددة الأغراض في دولة الإمارات ويشكل إضافة نوعية للمشاريع الراقية والفريدة التي قدمتها دبي للعالم بما يتماشى مع رؤية وتطلعات الفريق أول سمو الشيخ محمد بن راشد آل مكتوم ولي عهد دبي وزير الدفاع .

وسيضم /مرسى الخور/ عدداً من الأبراج السكنية والتجارية والمكاتب الراقية المنتشرة في المباني المحاذية للمياة والحدائق العامو ويضم ايضاً فندقا من فئة /بوتيك هوتيل/ يحتوي على 300 غرفة ويتواجد قبالة الرصيف المركزي الذي سيحاط أيضا بمجموعة من المقاهي والمطاعم الراقية.

ومن المتوقع إن يسكن ويعمل ضمن مشروع /مرسى الخور/ أكثر من 14 الف شخص .

وفي معرض شرحه لتفاصيل المشروع الجديد قال /بريت شيفر/ مدير التطوير في دبي فستيفال سيتي بأن /مرسى الخور/ سيمنح نمطاً جديداً للحياة في وسط مدينة دبي إذ أنه يرتبط بشكل وثيق مع المياه ويتميز بعدد من المعالم العمرانية البارزة ويمكن التنقل بين أجزائه المختلفة سيراً على الأقدام من خلال طرق مريحة صممت خصيصاً لهذا الغرض .

ويطل المشروع على كورنيش يمتد على مساحة 900 متر مربع ويبلغ عرضه 32 متراً و يشكل جزءاً من ممر واسع للمشاة يشمل كامل الواجهة المائية لدبي فستيفال سيتي وبطول 4 كلم. كما سيضم هذا الممر سلسلة من محلات التجزئة الراقية والمطاعم كما تم تطوير شاطئ خاص قبالة /مرسى الخور/ وذلك لإضافة عامل جمالي أخر على المشروع.

ويتوسط مشروع /مرسى الخور/ رصيف أو ميناء ليكون المحور الأساسي للمشروع حيث سيحاط هذا الميناء بـ 50 شقة فندقية مجهزة بكافة الخدمات..بالاضافة الى فندق عصري يتم الآن التفاوض مع شركة فنادق عالمية رائدة لكي تتولى إدارته على أن يتم الكشف عن اسم هذه الشركة في وقت لاحق من العام الجاري.

أما المنطقة التجارية ضمن مشروع "مرسى الخور" فإنها ستؤمن أكثر من 5 ر2 مليون قدم مربع من المساحة الإجمالية القابلة للتأجير وستتشكل من ثلاث مناطق رئيسية لتستقطب أكبر الشركات المتعددة الجنسيات والشركات الخاصة والمؤسسات للعمل فيها.

وفي السياق ذاته أوضح /فيل ماك أرثر/ مدير التسويق والتأجير في دبي فستيفال سيتي إن المكاتب ستتمتع بمناظر رائعة على الكورنيش وخور دبي وسيكون لها شرفات واسعة لضمان الإستفادة القصوى من هذه المناظر الجميلة ويعتبر "مرسى الخور" أحدث المشاريع التي تم إطلاقها في دبي فستيفال سيتي والتي ستشهد خلال شهر نوفمبر المقبل إفتتاح أكبر متجر /ايكيا/ للمفروشات في دولة الإمارات وافتتاح أضخم صالة عرض لسيارات تويوتا في العالم.

aha
very interesting....
i don't understand nothing!

please be so kind to translate a few facts again

these project launches are incredible

thank god there is cityscape :D

I think that it is a part of the old project but now lunched as an independent project!!!

It will cost 5 billion dirham on area of 245,000 meter.
It will be between Al Gurhood and Ras Al Khour bridge.
It will be as beautiful as cape town and Sydney.
First phase will finish on 2007.
It will host 14,000 residents.
It will have a batik sp? hotel of 300 rooms and restaurants and cafes.
It will have a cornaich of 900 meters.
It will be surrounded by 50 apartments.
The commercial area within Creek marina will have 2.5 million feet

this was in festival city thread along with some renders i think and it looked amazing.
if i am not wrong there was also supposed to be a kinda fish tank and stuff.

6 billion dirhams (correction)

Marsa Al Khor waterfront project begins

Staff Report

Dubai:
Dubai Festival City has unveiled its Dh6 billion Marsa Al Khor project, a 245,000 square metre waterfront complex similar to some of the world's finest lifestyle locations, including Cape Town's waterfront and Sydney Harbour.

Marsa Al Khor office and residential venture, between Al Garhoud Bridge and the new 12-lane Ras Al Khor crossing, is due for phased completion from 2007.

Omar Al Futtaim, chief executive of the Al Futtaim Group, said, "We are delivering yet another world-class project to enhance the new Dubai lifestyle offering. This project will raise the bar for mixed-use commercial and residential developments and compliments the long-term vision of General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence."

Creating an integrated corniche community for up to 14,000 occupants, the Marsa Al Khor development will have multi-use towers, creekside offices, a central park, waterfront homes, a 300-room boutique hotel, offices and several cafes and restaurants.

Dubai Festival City unveils AED 6 billion up-market Marsa Al Khor neighbourhood

Dubai Festival City, the Middle East's largest, privately-funded, mixed-use development and the flagship endeavour of Al Futtaim Group, has unveiled its AED 6 billion 'Marsa Al Khor' neighbourhood - a 245,000 square metre, upmarket, contemporary waterfront community reminiscent of some of the world's finest lifestyle destinations, including Cape Town's Waterfront and Sydney Harbour.

http://www.ameinfo.com/images/news/8/17458-marsa.jpg
The AED 6 billion upmarket, contemporary waterfront 'Marsa Al Khor' neighbourhood at Dubai Festival City.


Transforming the banks of the historic Dubai Creek, the upscale 'Marsa Al Khor' office and residential development, between Al Garhoud Bridge and the new 12-lane Ras Al Khor crossing, which will deliver motorists into the heart of Dubai Festival City, is due for phased completion from 2007.

'We are delivering yet another world-class project to enhance the new Dubai lifestyle offering. This project will raise the bar for mixed-use commercial and residential developments in the UAE and compliments the long term vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,' said Omar Al Futtaim, CEO, Al Futtaim Group.

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, a 300 room boutique hotel fronting the centrepiece Quay, state-of-the-art offices and an array of chic cafes and restaurants.

'Marsa Al Khor' will deliver a new day and night urban environment for Dubai. It has a strong relationship to the water, a distinctive landscape and is not totally reliant on motor transport with pedestrian access throughout,' said Brett Schafer, Development Director, Dubai Festival City.

The iconic '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.

Designed to be one of the most sought-after addresses in down-town Dubai, 'Marsa Al Khor' is set in expansive landscaped surroundings and fronted by a 900 metre long public Corniche and beach - the first to be privately developed in the region.

A unique facet of the development is its interaction with the Corniche and public beach, which will be enlivened by extensive water features throughout.

'Marsa Al Khor' skirts the 32 metre wide Corniche, which will be part of a larger walkway running the entire 4kms of Dubai Festival City's waterfront, and will boast a shaded, continuous retail and restaurant frontage similar to Singapore's Boat Quay and Darling Harbour in Sydney.

In keeping with the entire Dubai Festival City ethos of creating a place to live, work, meet and play, 'Marsa Al Khor' will offer an unrivalled blend of experiences for residents and visitors, allowing them to interact with a natural waterfront and world class facilities.

A Quay, which is at 'Marsa Al Khor's' centre, will be the development's hub. It will have 50 serviced apartments, numerous fashionable restaurants and cafés and a highly contemporary boutique hotel. Talks are at an advanced stage with a leading international hotel operator to manage the property. A management contract will be formally announced later this year.

All will combine to create a stylish waterfront focal point for the surrounding residential and commercial components. Completely accessible by foot or water taxi, the Quay will be an intimate place for people and a magnet for the entire project.

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.

These iconic towers will face the Creek and Garhoud Bridge. They will be designed by a world class architect and become signature buildings for Dubai Festival City and new Dubai landmarks.
The towers will have expansive views up and down the creek and west to the Sheikh Zayed Road skyline. Their visibility from the Garhoud and Ras Al Khor bridges will provide unique opportunities for corporate branding and signage.

To the rear of Central Park will be the Office Campus - an integrated cluster of linked low-rise buildings and associated 15 storey mid rise towers. Shared lobbies serve both the high rise and low rise offices and will feature shops and restaurants providing a leisure meeting place.

'Landscaped courts and roof gardens will be an important part of this new working environment, creating a contemporary blend of style and nature,' said Phil McArthur, Director Leasing & marketing, Dubai Festival City.

Fronting Central Park are the Waterfront Offices which will cater to Dubai's growing demand for niche, loft-style working environments. These multi storey offices will sit comfortably on the edge of the Corniche offering prime Creek views. They will have generous balconies and overhanging roofs while the end terraces have curved facades recalling the sails of the traditional Arabian sailing dhow.

'Marsa Al Khor' will also offer a stunning choice of homes - from stylish waterfront condominiums and penthouses to up-scale luxury apartments and all with ample underground and above ground car parking.

With over 2.3 million square feet of residential GLA available, 'Marsa Al Khor' will be home to a discerning community which will benefit from a range of neighbourhood amenities and eateries, all with awe-inspiring vistas.

The centrepiece of the residential precinct is the Harbour Plaza apartment complex - a new landmark on Dubai's skyline, which will also contain serviced apartments that will be managed by the world-renowned InterContinental Group that is also managing a flagship hotel at Dubai Festival City, the remainder will be available for lease.

Adjacent to Harbour Plaza will be clusters of four-storey apartments flanked by multi storey residential towers. Designed to compliment the style and grace of Harbour Plaza, the towers will comprise in excess of a thousand one to four bedroom apartments and penthouses.

The third major 'Marsa Al Khor' residential component will be stunning waterfront residential complex - a series of six low rise buildings boasting one and two storey opulent condos and penthouses with garden balconies.

These are designed to maximise waterfront views and leverage their close proximity to the corniche. They will deliver an interactive waterfront experience similar to that in Cape Town and Australia's Gold Coast - a lifestyle experience unlike any other in Dubai. The waterfront location and access to the beach via the corniche will create an unparalleled living environment.

'Marsa Al Khor' is the latest component to be launched at Dubai Festival City, which is set to begin a hectic opening schedule in November with the launch of the UAE's largest IKEA store and the world's largest Toyota showroom - the first of five showrooms at the designated Automotive Park.

'Marsa Al Khor' will eventually integrate into Dubai Festival City's centrepiece Festival Centre - a 2.6 million square foot waterfront retail, entertainment and leisure focal point. Giving life to a new downtown café culture, the Festival Centre will host 400 shops and 90 restaurants and cafes, many facing the waterfront in a Riviera-style setting. Renowned and new-to-market food and beverage outlets will be found in three themed pavilions strategically located between a Canal Walk and the Festival Marina ensuring waterfront views for all.

:eek:

very nice, very very nice :D

hope it will be like in the render
lots of parks and green and the towers not too dense
excellent!!!

So how high will they be, maybe about 150m?

who cares this will be an awesome project. like a beachfront in miami or sth :D
i love festival city. it is just...different.

"Their visibility from the Garhoud and Ras Al Khor bridges will provide unique opportunities for corporate branding and signage. "

I like this idea far to little neon in dubai

not sure they are allowed to do this?
any regulations abt neon lights near airports?

http://tinypic.com/efjt35.jpg

http://tinypic.com/efjtix.jpg

Does anybody know what this thin tower rising will be used for?

that's the commercial festival tower
tons of stuff under c and we don't know nothing :(

The ones on the top picture are the Intercontinental & Crown Plazza Hotels.

On the second picture you can clearly see also the work on the bridge.

Does anybody know what this thin tower rising will be used for?

the 'thin tower' is only a core ;)

Are any of these pics the office tower park?

The Festival Center is scheduled to open next week 16th November. Only two shops will open at this stage: IKEA and Toyota Showroom (largest in the world).Arabic Source (http://www.albayan.ae/servlet/Satellite?cid=1131271572812&pagename=Albayan%2FArticle%2FFullDetail&c=Article)

I think it is worth going on the first day, since the other shops wont open until sep 06

The ones on the top picture are the Intercontinental & Crown Plazza Hotels.

On the second picture you can clearly see also the work on the bridge.
Altind
1st picture is the harbour plaza residential tower and the 2nd pic has fesctival centre commercial tower of the left and the intercon and crown plaza on the right (intercon behind core of CP)

Loads of work goin on. Imo, I think this is the most interesting project dubai has (not talkin about the towers n stuff), I like it. I mentioned that somewhere here before.

giles - when will the towers be launched in public?
i didn't expect the harbor plaza to be under c yet

Dubai Festival City director to address key German retail industry meet

The case for more European brands to enter the burgeoning Middle East retail market is to be made at Germany's leading industry forum, Stores 2005, which runs from the 24-25th November in Frankfurt.

http://www.ameinfo.com/images/news/3/19183-PhilMcArthur.jpg
Phil McArthur, the Director of Leasing & Marketing at Dubai Festival City

Phil McArthur, the Director of Leasing & Marketing at Dubai Festival City, the 'city-within-a-city' being built on the banks of Dubai Creek, will discuss opportunities for European brands in the Middle East, the expansion of the regional industry and how developers are differentiating themselves in the fiercely competitive market.

As the keynote speaker at the event, McArthur will address a select audience of Germany's leading retail professionals - the first Middle East representative to do so.

'This is an excellent opportunity to illustrate the region's booming retail climate, what new concepts are being developed and explain what opportunities are available for foreign brands,'

said McArthur - who was recently elected as the first Middle East-based trustee of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).

Dubai Festival City will be specially showcased at the event with particular emphasis on the signature destination's 2.6 million square foot retail, entertainment and hospitality focal point, Festival Centre.

'Dubai Festival City is a sterling example of how product differentiation must drive the retail mix,' said McArthur. 'When recently selecting the operator for our hypermarket, we deliberately went for a name that is entering the Dubai and UAE market for the first time.'

McArthur will further explain how the region's paradigm shift towards shopping centres is creating a holistic family experience, such as the innovative 'fusion concept' that has been developed at Dubai Festival City.

'Developers in the region realise that shopping centres must have distinct points of difference to ensure their popularity and consequently, success. Therefore, strong offerings in family entertainment, multiplex cinemas, large food and beverage components and theme parks are all being planned to keep consumers entertained,' explained McArthur.

Dubai Festival City will seamlessly blend all its elements into one customer-centric environment. Fronted by a Mediterranean-style marina, and boasting over 400 shops, 90 chic restaurants and cafes, the largest Family Entertainment Centre (FEC) in the UAE and a 12 screen multiplex, Festival Centre will be a 'complete' family destination.

McArthur will also outline the meteoric growth in the Middle East's retail sector.

'Arab Gulf states currently account for 40.9 million square feet of Gross Leasable Area, with a predicted rise to 101.2 million by the end of the decade, a considerable amount in such a short time.

'Dubai alone is expecting a 200% increase its shopping centre growth by 2010, which is pushing industry experts to believe that the Middle East retail industry will swell to US$500 billion by the end of the decade.'

Al-Futtaim Group opens doors to the new IKEA store at Dubai Festival City

IKEA, a member of the Al-Futtaim Group, has officially opened the new four times bigger than before store at Dubai Festival City (DFC).

http://www.ameinfo.com/images/news/0/19370-ikea.jpg
The ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the new IKEA store at Dubai Festival City. The ribbon cutting was carried out by (Left to right) Mr. Bruno Beijer, Swedish Ambassador, Mr. Abdulla Al-Futtaim, Chairman, Al-Futtaim Group and Mr. Hans Skalin, Director Supervisory Board, Inter IKEA Systems Holding B.V. Also seen in background, Mr. Omar Al-Futtaim, CEO, Al-Futtaim Group along with members from the Al-Futtaim family.

The 24,500 square metres store, UAE's largest retail outlet, is the first retail outlet within DFC to be opened to the public. The new store offers parking for 1,200 vehicles, a 300-seating restaurant, first-of -its-kind Swedish Foodmarket along with an increased workforce to provide customers with unparalleled levels of service.

Speaking at the opening, Mr. Omar Al-Futtaim, CEO, Al-Futtaim Group said,


'It gives me great pleasure to open IKEA's largest store in the Middle East. I am also delighted that the Swedish Ambassador and the COO of IKEA could be part of this special occasion. At the Al-Futtaim Group it has been a tradition to provide our customers with the best brands and services and the new IKEA store endorses that commitment.'


'IKEA's store marks the opening of the first retail outlet in Dubai Festival City, Al-Futtaim Group's 'city-within-the-city' that aims to capture the finest from across the city and put it together in one place. The new size and facilities at IKEA surely echoes that endeavour and is set to bring to families within the UAE a whole new shopping experience,' Mr. Omar further added.

With the opening of the new store, IKEA has brought to UAE the furnishing brand's true concept of self-service that is reflected at IKEA stores across the globe. Continuing the brand's well-known message of 'Big on Ideas, Low on Prices', the new store has 54-room sets for customers to visualize IKEA's furnishing concepts whilst providing ideas to furnish their homes. The regularly refreshed room-sets will provide customers inspiration which can be further complemented with the huge self-serve area from where individuals can, in reality, take home 90% of the products the very same day.

Bringing to life IKEA's globally known mechanical sales concept, all products have been tagged with prices and comprehensive product information, simplifying a customer's selections process. The product price tags additionally indicate the self-serve areas, many of which have been flat-packed to further assist in price reduction of the products whilst making it easier to cart and self-deliver.

Housed at Dubai Festival City's Retail Park, the new IKEA store is the largest retail outlet in UAE. To meet the needs of the ever increasing customer flow, the store sports 22-cashier counters and a team of 300 well-trained staff to assist customers with queries while advising them on their purchases. In addition, for customers that enjoy a meal at the IKEA restaurant, indulgence can now be more frequent as the new store restaurant has seating arrangements for 300 people.

Furthermore, to celebrate its enhanced setup, the new IKEA store has the first-of-its-kind Swedish Foodmarket, a special addition that will bring to UAE a variety of typical Scandinavian food for families to savour and enjoy.

Mr. Hans Skalin, Director Supervisory Board, Inter IKEA Systems Holding B.V. said, 'I am extremely happy to be here at a milestone moment for IKEA in the UAE. With the new size and the global standalone concept, residents of UAE can now acquaint themselves with the true IKEA concept. It's a rewarding feeling to see IKEA's popularity in UAE, a market that reflects a vibrant mix of nationalities, tastes and lifestyles. Over the years, customers have assured us their confidence and the new store at DFC is IKEA's way of rewarding them for it.'

Anymore news on this project? Is it near completion?

^ This is a several kilometers long project. Some, like IKEA and TOYOTA showrooms or some schools and villas are compleated, some projects are to be compleated soon, some are u/c at differewnt stages, some others might not have started yet.

Not 100% related to the progress of the development, but the pic that comes with the article is cool.... note the London Eye like structure. Nice! :D

Banks to fund bulk of DFC costs

By Saifur Rahman, Staff Reporter


Dubai: Banks will finance nearly 60 per cent of the Dh40 billion needed to develop Dubai Festival City, which is under development, said a senior company official.

"The rest 40 per cent would be financed by Al Futtaim Group's own resources," Marwan Shehadeh, managing director of Al Futtaim Capital told Gulf News on Tuesday.

Al Futtaim Group, the developer of the project, is also studying the possibility of establishing an urban rail network that would be connected to Dubai Metro rail network.

Dubai Festival City (DFC) is expected to generate about Dh3.6 billion in annual revenue.

"The annual return on investment has been calculated at around 9 per cent of the total investment, once completed," he said.

"About 30 per cent of the DFC will be completed by 2007 while the entire project will be ready by 2012."

The project includes an 18-hole golf course, two schools, a residential community, a large shopping arcade, office blocks, retail district and five hotels with 2,500 rooms.

"We are currently finalising deals with two operators for two hotels, one of which will be offered on a time-share basis," he said. "We are waiting for the UAE's timeshare law to be implemented so that we can go ahead. It is likely to be managed by the leading timeshare operator in the world."

DFC has already signed up InterContinental Group of Hotels to manage two of the large hotels one under InterContinental and the second under Crowne Plaza brands. A third hotel will be managed by Toronto-based Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

"When completed, it will house 75,000 residents and will be a complete community," he said. "All components of the projects are offered on a lease and rental basis."

Al Futtaim Group last month opened the region's largest Ikea store at the DFC, to be followed by a new hypermarket.

Dubai Municipality is building a major bridge and road network over the DFC to ease traffic congestion.

Workers are currently laying pipe-lines for irrigation that stretches 40 kilometres while 17 kilometres of road network is also under construction.

Once completed. DFC will have 70 million square feet of gross built-up area.

About 9.5 million cubic metres of earth has already been used for the project. At its peak, about 15,000 workers are engaged at the site.





http://www.gulfnews.com/images/05/12/08/09_bus_festival_bank_4.jpg
Dubai Festival City is expected to generate about Dh3.6 billion in annual revenue when it is completed by 2012.

check out the new website

http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com

Festival Centre on target for autumn opening

Work on Dubai Festival City's impressive 'urban retail resort', Festival Centre, is on track for the grand opening in autumn 2006.

http://www.ameinfo.com/images/news/3/20653-Festival.jpg
Excellent progress is being made at the Festival Centre site.

Buoyed by the successful opening of the first phase in November 2005, which saw the launch of the UAE's largest IKEA at the site, Festival Centre will open its doors to the public as scheduled.

'Substructure and superstructure activities are currently approaching completion with the installation of the Feature Roofs and Structural Steel elements well under way,' explained Phil McArthur, Director Leasing & Marketing, Dubai Festival City.

'Services installation works are proceeding throughout, as are the finishes works to the basement car park areas. We are now moving into the finishing phase of the main retail mall which will continue in parallel with the tenants' fit-out activities that will commence in the New Year.'



To ensure that the project remains on track, construction programmes are being continually assessed to identify opportunities to improve the methodology, and sequencing of the works.

Careful consideration has also been taken to ensure that the on-going construction does not cause any disruption to the already opened retail and community elements.

'To ensure the public are safeguarded from construction activity, the Dubai Festival City road network has been designed and implemented in such a way to allow unrestricted public access and parking, whilst ensuring construction traffic and activity is segregated from the completed facilities such as IKEA and the schools,' said McArthur.

'This allows for a positive customer experience as well as allowing construction to continue unhindered.'

At present, 4,500 workers are involved in the construction of Festival Centre with the number likely to rise to over 8,500 as the project nears completion.

It doesnt look like its gonna finish on schedule

same impression here
the photo from the article is pretty much up to date

i don't see any way this one will be completed by fall this year

giles - help out