Woodhead’s $A600m win

News: 15-December-05 by Marsha Jacobs

The Perth office of Woodhead International has won an international paid design competition for a $A600 million mixed-use development in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Woodhead was the only Australian firm invited to take part in a field of five architectural practices.

The development is to be located on a high-profile site in the Pakistani capital and will include a five-star hotel, office tower, apartment tower, a retail centre and extensive formal landscaping.

Woodhead principal and manager of the Perth office, Mark Unger, told WA Business News the project, for a consortium of businessmen, was the biggest land deal in Pakistan’s history.

Having been invited to participate in the competition, invitees were given six weeks to work on their submissions.

Mr Unger said the project design would be run out of the Perth office in conjunction with Pakistan-based firm Arcob Associates, with a December 2008 target for com-pletion of the construction phase.

“The Perth office has never taken the lead on a project like this; it is one of the better design offices and is relatively proximate compared to our offices over east,” Mr Unger said.

The competition theme was based on the principle of ‘Chahar Bagh’, which translates to ‘four gardens’ in Persian, a planning principle brought to Pakistan by the Moguls thousands of years ago, according to Mr Unger.

“We divided the site into four parts consisting of apartments, the office and hotel tower, retail and the gardens,” he said.

“The scheme has proceeded into design development and consolidates Woodhead Inter-national’s presence in South-East Asia and the sub-continent.”

Woodhead has seven offices in Australia, two in China and one in Singapore.

The Woodhead announcement comes amid moves by several other Australian firms into Asia and the Middle East, attracted by projects collectively worth tens of billions of dollars.

Consulting engineering firm GHD has several projects in the region, including master planning in conjunction with Woods Bagot, for Dubai Maritime City, a new $US1 billion infrastructure project.

GHD has also been appointed as project manager for one of the world’s largest urban developments, known as The Palms, in Dubai.

Architecture firm The Cox Group also recently beat international competitors to win a major university project planned for the oil-rich United Arab Emirates, and architects Woods Bagot last year designed the $400 million College of Technology in Doha, Qatar.

Perth-based BG&E is providing structural engineering services for a 21-tower residential apartment project being constructed by Multiplex in Dubai, and is also working on three other high-rise developments, including a 70-storey tower.

http://www.wabusinessnews.com.au/story.php?/1/33150/Woodhead-s-600m-win


edit kb

http://condrill.com.pk/p_portfolio2.html

PM to be briefed on shopping mall, 5-star hotel

Muhammad Anis

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz will be given a presentation on the multi-billion rupee project of high-rise shopping mall and a five-star hotel here today (Tuesday).

The consultant of the project — ‘Atkins’ — would brief the prime minister on the detailed design of the project, consisting of a 30-storey five-star hotel, mega shopping mall and high-rise towers of service apartments. A team of Atkins officials is reaching here from the UK today to meet Shaukat Aziz.

Meanwhile, Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan, CEO, and Brigadier (r) M. Humayun Khan, project director of the Pak-Gulf Construction, the developers of this mega project, called on Prime Minister here Monday. Chaudary Shahbaz Hussain, minister for population welfare, was also present on the occasion.

The company officials told the prime minister that they would spend 250 million dollars on the construction, besides Rs6.08 billion as cost of the land. They said that they have planned to complete the project in three years. They said that the construction cost also includes 150 million dollars as foreign direct investment.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said that the start of this project reflects the government’s policies aimed at attracting local and foreign investment.

Atkin's Website - http://www.atkinsglobal.com/

i dont get it...they plant to build thirty story towers ...and completion date is 2008......how will they build a thirty story tower in 2 years????

thanks for sharing!

i dont get it...they plant to build thirty story towers ...and completion date is 2008......how will they build a thirty story tower in 2 years????

Burj Dubai would be around 180 storey's (unofficial), and it should be done by 2008. So I fail to see why a 30 storey building could not be built in 2 years, it shouldn't be a problem.

does anybody know the location where it would be built

There were two plots sold for the purpose of building 5 star hotels, one to a group near Convention Centre and other on Blue Area Extension, in front of PIMS hospital and F-8 sector. This one has strong possibility of having presence in front of PIMS at Blue Area extension, as only such a high rise can be allowed at such place. This place has two other buildings coming up at Old Blue Area Corner in front of CITIBANK one is Islamabad Stock Exchange and other is TELECOM TOWER.

30 storey.. gr8 news 4 isb :)

ofcourse it can be made in 2 years,

the shiek zayed center (55 storys) will be completed in 2 years, from construction date.

the new it technolgy park (25 storys) in lahore would be completed in 1 year/

so it can be done quite easily.

let c when the SZC project starts n when will it be completed. can b sure abt the other completing in one year either....

How many floors is the current tallest building in Islamabad?

The building like Habib Bank Tower, OGDS,Shaheed-e-Millat,Saudi-Pak towers are almost of similar height and can be ranked as tallest till now and all are approx 18-20 storey. The Telecom Tower under construction is going to be 25 stories, whereas this new shopping mall will cross all that and even MCB Karachi tower(27 stories) by 3 stories.

They have shown the picture of this shopping mall in The News today 16 Dec in Islamabad section, the main building is pyramid shaped, along with three other buildings and they claim that these wont obstruct the Margalla view.

They have shown the picture of this shopping mall in The News today 16 Dec in Islamabad section, the main building is pyramid shaped, along with three other buildings and they claim that these wont obstruct the Margalla view.

Can you scan it ?

abbasia u have to scan it and post it here man....U HAVE TOO!!!!...plz

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY MR.SULTAN MY DEAR OLD FRIEND and for Mr. Afsar sorry for some ball point sketch some work of my colleague was expecting it to lean by such tilt in case of earthquake.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/Abbasia/PIC000167.jpg

I feel like this building almost in the name of Allah in Urdu.May be I am wrong, What do u people say.

Thanks a lot Abbassia. :D The shopping mall looks amazing ! Did they mention anything about when construction begins ?

There's a thread on this project in the World Forums. Do contribute your thoughts, comments, and suggestions to the world forum thread as well. :)

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=295363

Wow! cool project out of nowhere!

I maintain my stance though. Islamabad shouldnt be ruined with highrises.

these are 2 seperate projects you are mixing up.

the first is by woodlands which is $600 million and the second is by atkins which is $250 million

Saudi, Pakistani Group to Construct 5-Star Hotel in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD, Dec 15 Asia Pulse - Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that the construction and hotel industry had a bright future in Pakistan as the government had provided a conducive environment for foreign investment.

He was talking to a six-member delegation at the Prime Minister House here, on December 13. The delegation informed the Prime Minister that the Pak-Gulf Construction (Pvt) Ltd, a joint venture of Tamimi Global of Saudi Arabia and Sardar Builders (Pvt) Ltd of Pakistan would construct a five-star hotel in Islamabad.

Shaukat said the hotel's design must be an icon for the country with "a distinctive identity" that adds ambience to the federal metropolis and its architectural grandeur.

The Prime Minister said good hotels were required in Islamabad, as it was a growing city. He said there was also a shortage of housing and office accommodation that needs to be met.

The group informed the Prime Minister that construction would be completed in three years and the building would be a mix of hotel and office space also having a five-storey shopping mall, with a cost effective design.

http://asia.news.yahoo.com/051215/4/2cfxq.html

Islamabad certainly needs more hotels and rest houses. The number of function, diplomatic national or local have quadrupled in the last few years n u hafto book hall many month earlier.
Sheraton, which is designed by Nayyar Ali Dada will be built soon.

thakns a lot abbasia....i still have doubts wether they will be able to build all that by 2008. it would be great if they do so....

Salam,

Even though the project randering is amaizing, it kind'a looks un-realistic. I am always for the best in Pakistan, but i doubt the randering. I think, (being optimistic) if the shaikh stays, than the design would most probably be much more humble.
Not that it isn't worth giving a try!!

Peace.

Concept proposals for a 3 million sq ft (278,700 sq m) mixed-use development in central Islamabad have been unveiled by Atkins. The centrepiece of the mixed-use scheme, commissioned by Pak Gulf Ltd will include the country’s tallest building, a 30-storey, 350-bedroom world-class hotel topped by a panoramic restaurant capturing views of both the city and the mountainous skyline above it. The design also incorporates a 300,000 sq ft (27,870 sq m) shopping mall, 250,000 sq ft (23,225 sq m) of offices and more than 300 apartments. The project is expected to take three years to complete, with the next stage seeing Atkins’ team working on the schematic and detailed design to enable the construction process to start in 2006.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Key Facts

Status Design
Value € 247(M)

http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/project/uploaded_files/211_385%20Islamabad%20night.jpg

wow...thnxz hoody!!!!!! :) were did you get the brilliant render from?

i found it by chance on some architecture website worldachitecturenews.com

For some reason, I dont find this architecture fitting in Islamabad harmoniously. Seems out of place. From mars or something.

wow!! seriously in my opinion, although the design is alien at the moment in isloo, but i think designs like these will put an end to the work of local architects whoz design work seemz limited r restricted wilth size n space......Aktins work all around the world has been not less than marvelous, and if there is further designing in future by foriegn architects into the country, im sure we will get out of with the solid rectangular block architecture design.

WOW!!! I simply loved the design!!! This is the same project by an Aussie company which someone posted here couple of weeks back, is it not?

it looks good at night but ugly in day time

WOW SO COOOL!! I love it man!!! Kind of like the 'space ship ready to take off' design of the Faisal mosque. (ok maybe not):D

oh yes its kool and it will fit in islamabad.....but im soooo damn afraid that projects like these get either delayed for years or just dont materalize.....hope this one is built...again the completion date was around 2008 right guys??

It's nice! I really like the design and lets hope it will be earth quake proof.

Thanks alot hoody! :)

Amazing...It will fit in alright...Is it in the Blue Area?

I love it very futuristic :banana:

afcourse it will be earthquake you still think after the earthquake and the margalla towers falling down the government is going to allow people to construct even midrises without proper arrangements.

when a building is designed in foreign, it is passed through a number of tests to check the practicality of the design. The architects designs the building in what so ever manner he thinks and then his team members which include structural engineers will try their best to make the building the building design feasabable n practical. The design undepasses test like high speed wind test, earthqauke test, fire test etc If there is any improvement requried after the tests the changes are made. However in Pakistan, this does not happen.....there is not so much interaction between the architects and the structural engineers.....neither of them claim the responsibilty regarding any damage...neither there is a check by govt institution of the practicality of building desging.....so this project will be properly supervised by a team of expert therefore i dont think we need to worry about its structural stabilty!!

Whaa! That's what I saw in The News a few weeks back...would really change Blue Area for the good...!

That's awesome!

:omg:

I think the the PC Lahore is the tallest with 55 storeys

rite now the MCB Tower Karachi is tallest with 30floors....im talkin abt the completed project, in proposed project bahria was makin the tallest in karachi with 60floors....

in proposed projects port tower is the tallest

Construction work on the project has begun, you may check out the 6 acre site that is adjacent to Blue Area, Islamabad.

A few months ago in our earliest meetings with senior British architects from the world-reknowned design firm M/s WS ATKINS (who are the main architects of this project) we learned that this building is being specially designed to stand out as an icon that would symbolize Islamabad. This design concept was also used for one of their former projects, the "Burj Al Arab" hotel in Dubai, that resembles the billowing sail of a yacht in the ocean surrounding Dubai. Today the shape/design of the Burj Al Arab is used to promote Dubai and is instantly recognized around the world as a symbol for Dubai.

In the same way, the design of this project is destined to become an icon for Islamabad.

6 acres :bash:

you must be joking.

Today the shape/design of the Burj Al Arab is used to promote Dubai and is instantly recognized around the world as a symbol for Dubai.

In the same way, the design of this project is destined to become an icon for Islamabad.

Awesome :cool:

6 acres :bash:

you must be joking.

The plot size is 6.6 acres to be exact. It was auctioned by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) last year. The winning bid was made by M/s Pak Gulf Construction (Pvt.) Ltd. for PKR6.6 Billion (that's a billion rupees per acre!).

I think the the PC Lahore is the tallest with 55 storeys

PC lahore is 40storeys
Sheikh Zayed Centre in Lhr is 55storeys
LDA Tower lhr is also 40storeys
Bahria Twin Tower in isb are 38 Storeys

all these buildign are proposed.....the construction is yet to start

[QUOTE=Stone Forever]Construction work on the project has begun, you may check out the 6 acre site that is adjacent to Blue Area, Islamabad.

A few months ago in our earliest meetings with senior British architects from the world-reknowned design firm M/s WS ATKINS (who are the main architects of this project) we learned that this building is being specially designed to stand out as an icon that would symbolize Islamabad. QUOTE]


Whoz the we over here....r u representing a firm or smth.....specify the details plzz!!

Whoz the we over here....r u representing a firm or smth.....specify the details plzz!!

I think this (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=7293216&postcount=22) should answer your question.

Salam,

it looks good at night but ugly in day time

I was not sure if the picture from Atkins' official site was posted here or not. But the daytime picture of this project (the only picture on the site) is very good looking. (its small though)

Here'z Atkin's news page for this project:

(Link) (http://www.atkinsglobal.com/news/25360/5886979_Internet) Courtesy: Atkins @ atkinsglobal.

Peace.

This is a really beautiful project.. Its will add a new dimension to our capital... I hope other building come up along side thoug, atleast so its doesnt seem to issolated..

Atkins (Left) - ISE/Telelcom Tower (Right)
Check out the area ratio of the 3 projects!!
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f298/techno-architect2/Islamabad%20UC/SiteofAtkinsNewBuilding2.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f298/techno-architect2/Islamabad%20UC/SiteofAtkinsNewBuilding.jpg

Salam Techno,

Thanks for these close-ups from the Satt. Please mark these (and may be other) projects in these pictures so that we can easily figure out where exactly are these projects gonna be.

Thanks... and Excellent Job.

Peace.

guys I have google earth but how do I get updated pictures? Mine shows pics from 2 years ago...

Oh my god..look at the number of trees that had to be felled for this. I dont know whether to be happy or sad anymore. What a loss. Sad Sad Sad. :(

^ No...whoever builds there must replant some trees. Obviously it won't be like before but I am surprised Islamabad does follow the rules...if you see the other towers they too have planted many trees around the building and in the parking lots...

Oh yaar your worried about these trees? Thank God Margalla Hills was made a national park...then Islamabad would be in trouble...

I dont know man. Kamran Lashari has done some good work but at least in my opinion the cost in terms of environment has been tremendous. I notice it on daily basis..even the newspapers have mentioned this. There should be some sort of clause in the contract stipulating that the no. of trees cut should be replaced by a similar no. elsewhere.

Or they should be removed not cut and placed elsewhere in a more developed part of the city.

Well actually guys there was no plantation in the plot purchased by this company. It was a shrubbed area. No tree to my knowledge was cut in this part of Blue Area. But in the case of ISE & Telecom Tower, trees were cut down to aquire land for construction!!

so when is construction expected to start on the project....

well come on, who wants a forest in there downtown, plus that forest was on islamabads main commerical road, they should cut it all forests in those commecial zones, it doesnt make sense to have such big forests in the heart of a city.

Then Islamabad will be much more polluted and it will lose it's pride in being a green capital.

PC lahore is 40storeys
Sheikh Zayed Centre in Lhr is 55storeys
LDA Tower lhr is also 40storeys
Bahria Twin Tower in isb are 38 Storeys

all these buildign are proposed.....the construction is yet to start


Correction, Sheikh Zayed Centre will be 60 storeys high.

Salam,
well come on, who wants a forest in there downtown, plus that forest was on islamabads main commerical road, they should cut it all forests in those commecial zones, it doesnt make sense to have such big forests in the heart of a city.
I do.

Not only should Islamabad must retain its green patches, ALL the cities of Pakistan (and basically, the world) must have green patches. A lot of the modern cities in the world DO have green patches.... small "forests" to keep the city clean and green.

But then again, I believe if i have an option of choosing between a skyscraper and leaving a plot full of trees, i will go for the second one. If you wanna build a scraper, build it on a clean plot, not a plot where we have lungs for the planet earth.

Peace.

You can have a growing city without knocking down some tree's. Most modern cities make way for scrapers not for trees... Trees are an after thought..
Islamabad though, has A LOT of green, and thus taking out a few trees wont damage the environment very much...

exactly...

I will be going to isloo over the weekend so ill try my best to get some info abt this project!

techno when u go pllzpzlpzlzpzzl take some pictures of f-11 markaz and apt complexes there....i soo want to see the progress there.

Total value of the project is $300 Million and project consultants are Atkins, who also designed the Burj-al Arab in Dubai. The price of the land alone was U.S $110 Million (Rs. 6.6 Billion for app. 53 kanals).

The concept of the project will revolutiuonize Pakistan's skyline for good. The uniqueness makes it arguably the eight structural wonder of the world.

It consists of a 30 storey hotel (applications received from Sheraton and Ritz Carlton), a 5 storey commercial mall, and on top of that: a 20 storey office space building, and two 20 storey residential buildings with luxury apartments.


More details after the launch of this project.

http://www.lahorerealestate.com/ads/public/img-1140523308.jpg

http://www.lahorerealestate.com/ads/public/img-1140523395.jpg

http://www.lahorerealestate.com/ads/public/img-1140523490.jpg

http://www.lahorerealestate.com/ads/public/img-1140523779.jpg

wow,that looks realy great project

When is construction starting?

yea thts what i wana know...im tired of these fancy projects coming up and then never taking off like SZC lahore.

ISLAMABAD: The second phase of seismic survey conducted for the construction of the tallest skyscraper was completed that declared Islamabad Capital Territory ICT safe for mega-construction projects.

The seismic survey was conducted under the supervision of worlds third largest designing and construction British company W.S.Atkins which completed the second phase of the survey in three months time after it started soil testing back in December 2005.

According to details the survey is conducted in connection with the planned construction of the biggest Complex in the Federal Capital by Saudi Arabian Trading Group Al-Tamimi in collaboration with a Pakistani construction company Sardar group.

Renowned Chief Engineering Geologist Mr. Allen Smallwood oversaw the whole survey.

Dr. James Apted, in charge Geological Technical Engineering, W.S.Atkins earlier supervised the first phase.

Digging up to 70 meters of depth was conducted for collecting soil samples, by the team that worked for three months for the survey, it was told.

Initial results of the second leg of the three-phased tests show that the Capital’s soil is of such nature that it can sustain pressure of more than 50-storey tall skyscrapers.

Final results regarding the seismic strength of the capital’s soil will be available in April.

The survey was necessitated as PGCL an umbrella organization of Sardar Group of Companies and Al-Tamimi Group is planning to construct a complex comprising of a 37-storey five-storey deluxe hotel, a business center, two residential apartments and a mega shopping mall of 22, 19 and 5 storeys respectively.

It was learnt that this will be the biggest ever investment of any consortium of Pak-Arab companies in the federal capital and the consortium plans to invest Rs 30 billion in the mega-project.

The company was the highest bidder for the plot in march 2005 with a bid of Rs 6.6 billion.

The three year long project is expected to kick-start in April this year.

It is said that the construction will be able to sustain shocks measuring 9.5 on Richter scale.

W.S.Atkins carries experience of designing Burj Ul Arab Hotel in Dubai along with many other mega projects in the Gulf.

feb 22 2006
http://www.onlinenews.com.pk/details.php?id=93546

looks great!
here's some more info

http://www.atkinsglobal.com/news/25360/5886979_Internet

start in April this year. hmmmm very nice and great project inshAllah it would go as they planed it ...

I hope this goes as they planed man this looks so great I love the design looks out of this world ......



Atkins has unveiled concept proposals for a 3 million sq ft (278,700 sq m) mixed-use development in central Islamabad, Pakistan's capital city, which will boast the country's tallest building. http://www.atkinsglobal.com/news/25360/images/5886961_islamabad_side_view.jpg
The centrepiece of the scheme, which was commissioned by Pak Gulf Ltd and has a project value of approximately US$300 million, is a 30-storey, 350-bedroom world-class hotel topped by a panoramic restaurant capturing views of both the city and the mountainous skyline above it.

The design also incorporates a 300,000 sq ft (27,870 sq m) shopping mall, 250,000 sq ft (23,225 sq m) of offices and more than 300 apartments. The basement has 1,300 car parking spaces.

Project manager for the development, David Thomas, said: "The client wanted a scheme which would stand out not just locally but also as an international landmark for this rapidly growing and increasingly dynamic capital."

Hakim Khennouchi, design team leader added: "Islamabad is a striking city and our plans were inspired by the Himalayan Mountains which provide its backdrop."

Atkins was appointed by Pak Gulf in October to provide full multi-discipline consultancy services for this major scheme, including architectural design, structural and seismic engineering, highways engineering, landscape design, interior design and cost planning.

The project is expected to take three years to complete, with the next stage seeing Atkins' team working on the schematic and detailed design to enable the construction process to start in 2006.

The development represents the first large-scale, multi discipline project Atkins has carried out in Pakistan and is regarded as an important showcase for the company in one of the world's fastest growing regions.

ENQUIRIES:
David Thomas
Tel: 07803 258649
Email: david.l.thomas@atkinsglobal.com

Ben Thompson
Tel: 01372 752154
Email: ben.thompson@atkinsglobal.com

NOTES TO EDITORS:
Atkins (www.atkinsglobal.com) plans, designs and enables the delivery of complex capital programmes for clients in the public and private sectors across the world. Atkins is the largest multi-disciplinary consultancy in Europe; the largest engineering consultancy in the UK; and the fourth largest design firm in the world

Atkins was awarded 'Ten Best Big Companies to work For 2005' by The Sunday Times; 'Construction Consultant of the Year 2005' by Building; and 'Consultant of the Year Major Firm 2005' by New Civil Engineer.

http://www.atkinsglobal.com/

I would like to mention here that architect of Burj-Al-Arab claimed that he has designed the biggest CORSS (Saleeb) at the gateway of Muslim world.

I invite all of u to study the acrhitectural design of this new project in Islamabad and try to find out any odd (if there is any....) .... b/c it is designed by the same architect.

amazing! simply breathtaking. definitely hope to see this get off the ground soon.

Salam,

I have to admit, the project is spactacular. It would be worth investing and building.

Peace.

Although this is a good project, I still dont understand why the government is trying to develop Islamabad as a commercial city as opposed to the already thriving metropolises of Karachi and Lahore. Islamabad should be made into an alternative destination and should retain its laid back charm for being the capital. Attracting greater commercial activity to it will just serve to ruin it in the long run.

Although this is a good project, I still dont understand why the government is trying to develop Islamabad as a commercial city as opposed to the already thriving metropolises of Karachi and Lahore. Islamabad should be made into an alternative destination and should retain its laid back charm for being the capital. Attracting greater commercial activity to it will just serve to ruin it in the long run.

Well I dont agree with you. In this case Islamabad will be stuck in time. Nothing is permanent except the change.

The design reminds me of Jumeria Beach Hotel in Dubai.

Looks awesome would be symbol for pakistan just the way Burj Al Arab is for Dubai.

asfar im juss goin fer one day man....can visit that place.....i can only handle the far away projects in a 3-4 day trip! Next time fer sure dear!!
:P

Nice rendering btw!!

Salam,

Did any body notice the sort of mini-lawns on the base of the three buildings, on the top of that wavy roof.

Thats a cute idea. :D

Peace.

I would like to mention here that architect of Burj-Al-Arab claimed that he has designed the biggest CORSS (Saleeb) at the gateway of Muslim world.

I invite all of u to study the acrhitectural design of this new project in Islamabad and try to find out any odd (if there is any....) .... b/c it is designed by the same architect.


As I pointed out earlier I see the name of ALLAH in the design,in Arabic of course. What do u all guys say.

As I pointed out earlier I see the name of ALLAH in the design,in Arabic of course. What do u all guys say.

Yes ..... I realized the same feeling .... but instead of mentioing here, I just wanted u guys to see ...... b/c may be i am wrong.

But now I am sure that ... it is sort of thing to be considered.......U know well what I mean...

The whole thing is going to be a hotel?

itz a multi purpose building....read the previous news attachments

The project has not been inaugrated rite now but it is expect any time next month. Currenlty the pix u will c, CDA is workin on the dualization of all service roads that form a perimeter around each sector. The Pix below show the dualization of road juss behind the Atkins Building.... The site has been covered from two sides. The camps are of FWO who r workin on the road project so dont confuse the situation. There was only only boring machine. My guess is that must be the one from which they took the soil samples and tested fer 3months n finally came up to the conclusion.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f298/techno-architect2/Islamabad%20UC/734.jpg

Looking towards PIMS
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f298/techno-architect2/Islamabad%20UC/735.jpg


FWO Camp Site - Currenlty they are using the space of Atkins site for their use - Itz nothing got to do with the building project
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f298/techno-architect2/Islamabad%20UC/736.jpg

The Boring that i talked abt earlier.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f298/techno-architect2/Islamabad%20UC/737.jpg

Dualization of the F8 Service Road
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f298/techno-architect2/Islamabad%20UC/739.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f298/techno-architect2/Islamabad%20UC/738.jpg

^^^^^ Pix FEB 2006

Is this also on Jinnah avenue, where they are making the Islamabad state life and stock exchange building????
And what is the FWO?

You know, for some reason that last pic looks like the english country side (minus the mound of dirt and that pipe...:) I love Pakistan on a rainy day:)

The ISE Tower, Telecom Tower & State Life Tower are in the Blue Area F-7 G-7 Zone.
While The Atkins Towers in in the Blue Area F-8 G-8 Zone and Jinnah Avenue is the main central Road. These underconstruction roads showns are on the back side of the towers.

FWO - Frontier Works Organisation
It an army construction company that has undertaken several projects of road, highway and motorway.

great pictures techno...plz can u take pictures of the f-11 markaz...and post them

Is Bismillah Group of Faisalabad somehow involved in this project?

"Is Bismillah Group of Faisalabad somehow involved in this project?" NO

(they are owners and builders of the Hyatt Hotel at convention center to open in 2009)
this project is 100 percent owned by Saudi company

Offtopic posts removed!

Zulqi be WARNED!
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=7773445&postcount=6

Any updates on this fantastic project?

Ive noticed alot of construction machinery around the Atkins site. But i couldnt make out what they really were doing cauz it wuz really dark and late nite. No pix this time but im expecting the launching very soon. Let keep our fingers crossed for it!

are they workin at night due to heat like they do in mideast?????

You know, for some reason that last pic looks like the english country side (minus the mound of dirt and that pipe...:) I love Pakistan on a rainy day:)


I agree with you, the view is very English :)

are they workin at night due to heat like they do in mideast?????


Isloo is not in the middle of a desert~! Its temperature is far more better than the mideast even in the hottest period. I think they are preparing themselves for the excavation.

Techno-Architect, do you have some new info on this project?

Construction of five-star hotel starts next month



By Our correspondent

ISLAMABAD: Construction work on a grand project of a high-rise five-star hotel -- involving an investment of Rs12 billion -- in the federal capital will start in the first week of July.

Pak Gulf Construction, a consortium of Al Tamimi Group of Saudi Arabia and Sardar Builders from Pakistan, will jointly carry out the project. The project includes a 38-storey five-star hotel, three towers of services apartments and a big shopping mall.

Last year, a 6.06-acre piece of land in Blue Area was allotted by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to the company for Rs6 billion for the project, which will be completed in three years.

thats certainly good news! :cheer:

Thank God! Certainly will be a pleasure to see the photos of a highrise construction in Islamabad, i suppose after 6 months. Probably by then some structure would be quite above the ground.

this is a 5 star hotel? For some reason I thought it was 6 star...I could swear I read it sumwhere. :(

this is called 6 star cause it has helipad like burj dubai. but theres no official 6 star hotel the in world.

lets hope it does starts

so the project has been titled 'The Centaurus'

here is the offical website, http://www.thecentaurus.com/

looking great in that rendering!

great project for Islamabad!

BEAUTIFUL !

Super cool and radical!

Gnarly!

Yea, digital uweb (http://www.digitaluweb.com) is developing their website. UWEB has earned a good reputation in IT especially in online reale state websites and listings. One of my favorite website is www.islamabadcity.com (http://www.islamabadcity.com) which i think is a good effort to boost islamabad realestate market. Hope we will see some more inforation on their site.

so the project has been titled 'The Centaurus'

here is the offical website, http://www.thecentaurus.com/

Goddamn, I finally had to register. Just to post this peculiar reply. But now that I have, I'd probably take part in the discussions here.

Anyways, I had this anecdote to share regarding this project. This is a collaboration between some Gulf group and another Paki group. So these guys wanted to have this inauguration party. I am talking about the Paki group here. So these guys asked the company I work at to manage the whole thing. So, they were all pendoos. All they wanted was grandeur. They wanted something keh aankhain phati ki phati reh jaein. Money was no object. So they kept on adding things. The budget for that night went from 2 crores to 3 to ultimately 5 crores. They wanted wooden floors, all the dignitaries there, etc etc. Now why TF would you want wooden floors, I have no idea. They were willing to spend something like 9 lakhs just on 6 toilets for a few hours.

That was all fine and dandy until they told the Gulf group (It's in Arabia, I guess) about the expenditures. They went ballistic at the cost and really dressed the Paki guys down. So now they want something to be done in a few lakhs!

So guessing by this, I just hope this project goes on well.

Lastly, the company info is confidential, hence I cannot tell the name or other stuff. I don't want to get fired.

Goddamn, I finally had to register. Just to post this peculiar reply. But now that I have, I'd probably take part in the discussions here.

Anyways, I had this anecdote to share regarding this project. This is a collaboration between some Gulf group and another Paki group. So these guys wanted to have this inauguration party. I am talking about the Paki group here. So these guys asked the company I work at to manage the whole thing. So, they were all pendoos. All they wanted was grandeur. They wanted something keh aankhain phati ki phati reh jaein. Money was no object. So they kept on adding things. The budget for that night went from 2 crores to 3 to ultimately 5 crores. They wanted wooden floors, all the dignitaries there, etc etc. Now why TF would you want wooden floors, I have no idea. They were willing to spend something like 9 lakhs just on 6 toilets for a few hours.

That was all fine and dandy until they told the Gulf group (It's in Arabia, I guess) about the expenditures. They went ballistic at the cost and really dressed the Paki guys down. So now they want something to be done in a few lakhs!

So guessing by this, I just hope this project goes on well.

Lastly, the company info is confidential, hence I cannot tell the name or other stuff. I don't want to get fired.

Lets hope this affect the relations between the parties. But, I have to say, it doesn't bode well!!!

the rendering is an awesome......
ive heard they set up the model for display.....
u guys hafto wait till 10th july till i get bak to isloo

website will start functioning on july 15. maybe thast the formul inaugrartion as well

Goddamn, I finally had to register. Just to post this peculiar reply. But now that I have, I'd probably take part in the discussions here.

Anyways, I had this anecdote to share regarding this project. This is a collaboration between some Gulf group and another Paki group. So these guys wanted to have this inauguration party. I am talking about the Paki group here. So these guys asked the company I work at to manage the whole thing. So, they were all pendoos. All they wanted was grandeur. They wanted something keh aankhain phati ki phati reh jaein. Money was no object. So they kept on adding things. The budget for that night went from 2 crores to 3 to ultimately 5 crores. They wanted wooden floors, all the dignitaries there, etc etc. Now why TF would you want wooden floors, I have no idea. They were willing to spend something like 9 lakhs just on 6 toilets for a few hours.

That was all fine and dandy until they told the Gulf group (It's in Arabia, I guess) about the expenditures. They went ballistic at the cost and really dressed the Paki guys down. So now they want something to be done in a few lakhs!

So guessing by this, I just hope this project goes on well.

Lastly, the company info is confidential, hence I cannot tell the name or other stuff. I don't want to get fired.


^^ Lol! if it were me, I would ve just fired the goddam company just for their lack of buisness sense!

what retards!

Chill with the usage of Paki

hahaha, wooden floors. Must have wooden floors. Lottery nikal gai.

The following pictures were posted on pakistanidefenceforum.com by a member called 'ACE':

http://www.lahorerealestate.com/ads/public/img-1140523308.jpg

http://www.lahorerealestate.com/ads/public/img-1140523395.jpg

Simply stunning! It's got to be the best skyscraper in South Asia atleast....
What do u guys think??

Hi Everyone

Glad to see this forum. We just received latest 3d rendered images from atkins which we would like to share with you guys. We will keep posting latest news and pictures about The Centaurus as soon as we receive them. Visit www.islamabadcity.com (http://www.islamabadcity.com) for latest news about islamabad real estate Market.


http://islamabadcity.com/images_news/atkins/thecentaurus_islamabadcity_dotcom1.jpg
http://islamabadcity.com/images_news/atkins/thecentaurus_islamabadcity_dotcom2.jpg
http://islamabadcity.com/images_news/atkins/thecentaurus_islamabadcity_dotcom3.jpg


:)

This is just amazing and but look outstanding when completed.....
is it starting in July? or what...

This is just amazing and but look outstanding when completed.....
is it starting in July? or what...

Yes, in July! The development work has already started. I visit the site area everyday. It is going to be BIG, Real BIG! :)

This is just amazing and but look outstanding when completed.....
is it starting in July? or what...

Yes, in July! The development work has already started. I visit the site everyday. It is going to be BIG, Real BIG! :)

cheers bro!!!
when is to be completed...i know is a big projest and will take long time but any year they set as deadline or something....completion time?

The atkins projects looks amazing, very striking design. Also iam not sure if its a coincidence or quite deliberate, but if you look carefully at all the 3 buildings, it spells ALLAh in arabic, the resemblance is quite uncanny.

it is indeed....

Here is an updated version of same image from atkins :) Our office is located here :):) www.islamabadcity.com (http://www.islamabadcity.com)

http://islamabadcity.com/images_news/atkins/thecentaurus_islamabadcity_dotcom5.jpg

Absolutely stunning!
But I hope they remove the ribs in the towers and make them smoother looking

ribs look great

Thanks for the renders islamabadcity.com! Building is amazing..love the design.

Breathtakingly beautiful.Islamabad landscape makes this building stand out.Hope it gets made! and soon!

here are much bigger and better pictures

http://www.lahorerealestate.com/ads/public/img-1151572190.jpg

http://www.lahorerealestate.com/ads/public/img-1151572251.jpg

http://www.lahorerealestate.com/ads/public/img-1151572320.jpg

http://www.lahorerealestate.com/ads/public/img-1151572482.jpg

very nice pics guys good work .... man can't wait to see this finished inshAllah

breathtaking photo's.... These will really make Islamabad a city of the future.

DAAAAAAAAAMNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOW THAT'S HOT!

hai na.... top quality islooooooo

Nice renderings. It would be great if someone posted a bigger picture that is on http://www.thecentaurus.com/

it would be awsome to live in that building you could see beautiful views of the margalla hills and the faisal mosque.

yeah it would be great experience....
few more alien buildings like this will pump up the capital as it looks like one of the boring capitals on the planet...

inescapably urban!
Will change Islamabad forever!

i think this will defintely happen unlike some of the other 'amazing projects' which have been planned in pakistan

a far as I know CDA is going to construct a 3-level underpass-cum-overhead at the faisal avenue and jinnah avenue intersection (where Atkins is located according to my estimate). dont this atkins will be a hurdle in location 3-levelled intersection.

Any way building is awesome!!!! :)

a far as I know CDA is going to construct a 3-level underpass-cum-overhead at the faisal avenue and jinnah avenue intersection (where Atkins is located according to my estimate). dont this atkins will be a hurdle in location 3-levelled intersection.

Any way building is awesome!!!! :)
No there is plenty of space for flyover/underpass/overhead/whatever towards the right of the building.

well im in islamabad these days and i pass through the named sites eveery day and i havent seen any sign of constructioneither of the underpass or atkins

well im in islamabad these days and i pass through the named sites eveery day and i havent seen any sign of constructioneither of the underpass or atkins

Are you taking pictures of Islamabad?

I have been reliably informed from Atkins and Aabid at Pak Gulf company that construction/launch of the building will commence at the end of July. I got in touch with them and have received emails from top people there.

Here are more pictures of new atkins hotel islamabad

Click here to view pictures (http://realtalk.us/my_category.asp?main_cats_id=8&sub_cats_id=13)

:eek2:

Thanks for the awesome pics man!! :runaway:

Here is COOL NIGHT VIEW of the centaurus hotel :) (http://realtalk.us/my_category.asp?main_cats_id=8&sub_cats_id=15)

Its a Flash. See how colors will change :):):)

WOW~~ i love isloo in night

Read some main points of the centaurus hotel :) (http://realtalk.us/my_category.asp?main_cats_id=8&sub_cats_id=14)

Offical link is www.thecentaurus.com

Pak Gulf Co to build hotel in Islamabad

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Pak Gulf Company will shortly start the construction of a state-of-the-art hotel in the federal capital and all the requirements of building codes necessitated by the last year’s devastating earthquake will be followed by the company, said Brigadier Humayun (retd).

In an interview, he said that the Capital Development Authority (CDA) was satisfied with the arrangements for the construction of a 38-storey hotel, said Mr Humayun, the project director for the hotel. He said that ground-breaking ceremony would be held either by the end of this month or early next month.

“Our hotel will be entirely different from other hotels in the federal capital,” he said. It will be a five-star deluxe hotel and it will entertain customers in a far better way, said Mr Humayun. He said that the investors definitely needed political stability. The new building codes, which have been framed after the devastating earthquake, will be followed in true spirit.

Mr Humayun said that the proposed location of the hotel is ideal. It is almost in the center of the capital. He said that the hotel will be easily accessible from Islamabad International Airport. The building of the hotel will be seen from surrounding areas.

Pak Gulf Company has purchased land worth Rs 6.5 billion. The planned investment for the construction has been estimated at 300 million US dollars. The hotel will be different in various ways from other hotels. Apart from having a restaurant, the centrally airconditioned hotel will have a shopping mall, kids playing area and other entertainment facilities. The hotel will also have cinema hall, he said. He said that hotel will also have a three-storey underground parking area.

“We are planning that branded companies come and invest in the shopping mall,” he said. They will provide quality goods to the valuable customers of the hotel, he added. He said that the hotel would be constructed in accordance with the new codes devised after the October 8, 2005 earthquake.

The hotel will be constructed through foreign investment, he said. “The financial resources for the project will be coming from abroad,” he said. The company will ensure that the security of the hotel at any cost. We will install state-of-the-art equipment for security, he said. The project director hoped we would get the return very soon. The project will be trendsetter. With the completion of this project, other investors will also come and invest in such projects. We are hopeful that project will pay dividend, Mr Humayun said.

Originally posted by asfar:
well im in islamabad these days and i pass through the named sites eveery day and i havent seen any sign of constructioneither of the underpass or atkins
hey man I am in Rawalpindi and I atleast visit the site of Atkins twice a month. I think u dont know about the site of Atkins .they've already stated contruction of a huge model of the building. Also initial development work has been started. proper work on the complex will commence after ground breaking(to be commenced end of this month Insha-Allah)

What are those two buildings too the far side of the hotel?

hey man I am in Rawalpindi and I atleast visit the site of Atkins twice a month. I think u dont know about the site of Atkins .they've already stated contruction of a huge model of the building. Also initial development work has been started. proper work on the complex will commence after ground breaking(to be commenced end of this month Insha-Allah)


that thing ure talking about is nuthing but a bunch of wooden sticks piled on top one another...and even if tht is a model there has been no progress on its construction in the past nearllyy two months... i can say this koz ive been here since the end of may and pass through the site probably daily ... but i dunt know if u guys already know or not they have cut a damn fuking lot of trees in the green belt between f-6 and f-7 to construct a new road...it seriosuly is a sory site...islamabad is losing its beauty...its not the same anymore...btw archipak ill take some pictures soon brother. :)

^^^^
juss to ur concern about cutting trees in the sector F6 n F7 and else whr.....should islamabad not be further developed to decrease it rising problems concerning traffic etc..? The city is growing rapidly in almost every sphere which includes population, trade, finance, construction etc Inorder to cater the demands, some part has to be lost inorder to gain smth.....I as an architect am also concerned with the ecological as well environment issues, but im sure if the government is planning to undertake such a huge project, then they will cater for the landscaped area lost in Islamabad. When the master plan wuz designed 50yrs back such a exponential growth was not expected. Now the half a century is about to be over, and the city looks forwards for new development and new program. If some green area is being wasted then we must not neglect that the city is also flourish with parks and recreational spaces which will cater for such losses. Daily in islamabad at an average 100 cars are being registered amd that is leading to further problems like traffic, environmental etc.

I would not agree that islamabad is losing its beauty. In a course of 5-10years time this place is definitely going to change if the development take place at the same rate. Recently i visited the Damn-e-koh and if u have been there too, compare for urself the ambience of the place before and after its redevelopment. Surely more development project like these will enrich the capitals beauty.

As far as the developement projects of islamabad are concerned, now that im back in town, ill take good care of each n every project n post the pix in august. that will be a complete report of almost of all big projects of this place.

I see pictures of one of the must urbanized cities in the world, TOKYO, and think its simply BEAUTIFUL... I dont understand why Islamabad cant be modern, urban, and beautiful at the same time... Its simply a different kind of Beauty...

Atcually Islambad was and is green capital but being a green capital does not mean to have no urban development. Islamabad is the fatest growing city in Pakistan with respect to population. and obviously to adjust that polpulation in same capital and to fulfill traffic problems created due to rise in population requires skyscrapers, interchanges,underpasses,new roads,mass transit. not moving forward with these requirements just becuse of that Islambad will lose its greenery is a foolish thought. due to no such urban projects in past Islamabad which was the best city of Pakistan is losing its glory.
i read somewhere in a newspaper that islamad which was 157th best city of the word in 2004 dropped to 158th best city of the world in 2005 contrary to Lahore(164th(2004-161th(2005))and Karachi(172th(2004)-169th(2005)). that drop in level of Islamabad is surely due to rising traffic problems and increasing residential and commercial needs.

Wow those are some nice updates; I'm excited about Islamabad!

Man i love this small animation of image transition.

Look at the changing colors here (http://realtalk.us/my_category.asp?main_cats_id=8&sub_cats_id=15)

^^ it looks good

they r still stuck with making the marketting office....i juss cant understand y they cant speed up the work n get on with the inauguration~!

please provide details of coming soon project in pakistan

they r still stuck with making the marketting office....i juss cant understand y they cant speed up the work n get on with the inauguration~!

Because such projects are more complicated than you think they are....

they r still stuck with making the marketting office....i juss cant understand y they cant speed up the work n get on with the inauguration~!

yes, i visited the site today and only the triangular shape office is being contructed.

Anyway, here a pic i took while driving through the faisal highway.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h53/kbboy101/DSC_00001.jpg

Construction Pix July 2006

This is the site office that is being constructed. Work has been going on here since 2months plus. This site office is a total steel structure will glass on the other side. I wuz unable to take the picture from the other side. The gaurd told me that the inauguration will be on 25th july, but since the site office could not be completed till now, the ceremony is being delayed again n again. Anyways I will visit the site office once it gets completed.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f298/techno-architect2/Islamabad%20UC/1300.jpg

Why is the inauguration so important. I mean the work has already started and isnt slowing down I think. They will be able to finish this project within the timeframe. I am sure.

The work on the site hasnt started yet, How could work start without a ground breaking ceremony???

The work on the site hasnt started yet, How could work start without a ground breaking ceremony???

What is that in the last picture?

I hope they start the work man jaldi jaldi this looks magnificent man can't wait to see this project finish :D so when I vist Pakistan i can stay over at this hotel ;)

What is that in the last picture?

That is just the site office of the company that will build the tower, not the actual building itself. In fact nothing has actually started on the building itself apart from ground clearing and fencing around the construction site.

A site office with no windows?

looks like a pyrimid

A site office with no windows?

If you would have read the bold writing above the pic :bash:

This is the site office that is being constructed. Work has been going on here since 2months plus. This site office is a total steel structure will glass on the other side. I wuz unable to take the picture from the other side. The gaurd told me that the inauguration will be on 25th july, but since the site office could not be completed till now, the ceremony is being delayed again n again. Anyways I will visit the site office once it gets completed

The building has 3 faces, 2 which u can c are covered by galvised sheets and the 3rd with glass (not in pic)~!!

If you would have read the bold writing above the pic :bash:

This is the site office that is being constructed. Work has been going on here since 2months plus. This site office is a total steel structure will glass on the other side. I wuz unable to take the picture from the other side. The gaurd told me that the inauguration will be on 25th july, but since the site office could not be completed till now, the ceremony is being delayed again n again. Anyways I will visit the site office once it gets completed

The building has 3 faces, 2 which u can c are covered by galvised sheets and the 3rd with glass (not in pic)~!!

If you read your msg again, you said the site office is a total steel structure will glass..... either way, my bad....

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/KHUREE/Pakistan/CTI.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/KHUREE/Pakistan/cti2.jpg

^ inauguration?



btw, was I the only one who couldn't access SSC for the past 3 days for some DNS-related problem???

hey huit, I couldn't access it either. Weird.

SSC WAS PERFORMING MAINTAINENCE AND NOONE COULD ACCESS IT. I FOUND IT ON YAHOO. IT WAS CONFUSING THOUGH.

@ Unregistered, Vazim, Pakia :dunno:

No Off Topic Posts :runaway:

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/KHUREE/Pakistan/ct.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/KHUREE/Pakistan/gtdhty.jpg

Hmmm... so the formal inauguration of the atkins project is just 3 days away! thats gud news, lets c if they come up with some news.

Here a Render of the site office:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f298/techno-architect2/Islamabad%20UC/image5.jpg

Nite Renders
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f298/techno-architect2/Islamabad%20UC/image10.jpg

Looking at the hotel building n helipad
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f298/techno-architect2/Islamabad%20UC/image11.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/KHUREE/Pakistan/2days.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/KHUREE/Pakistan/2days2go.jpg

Nice ad...

yes...gives me a hint of the professional approach to the project right from the site office and these ads.

1st Sept date of Inauguration and ground breaking ceremony!!
Is the president doing it???

No! No! I dont have time for that. :haha:

SkyscraperCity > World Forums > Construction Updates http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=9798744#post9798744

Lets share this peice of archi with the world too!!
:P

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/KHUREE/Pakistan/12345.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/KHUREE/Pakistan/67890.jpg

Can't wait :)

Cant wait fer the HOLY DAY!!!
lolz

Same here! I'm shaking with excitement! :D

I saw some clips of the inaguration today could somebody please give any details.

Source: http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/sep-2006/1/index11.php

[b]'Time ripe to invest in Pak'[b]

From our correspondent
ISLAMABAD – President General Pervez Musharraf on Thursday said Pakistan provides an ideal environment for investment and reiterated that it would be sustained to alleviate poverty through greater economic activity.
“It is the right time to invest in Pakistan,” Musharraf said after performing the ground-breaking of Pakistan’s first seven-star US$ 350 million hotel-cum-residential project - “The Centaurus.”
The 3-year project is being executed by the Pak Gulf Construction Pvt Ltd (PGCL) Company at the cost of Rs6.6 billion, using the services of Messrs Atkins known in the construction world for its Burj-al-Arab project in Dubai.
The Centaurus, a project of Al-Tamimi Group of Saudi Arabia and Sardar Group of Companies, will have, besides a 37-storey deluxe hotel, two 21- storey residential towers, a 25-storey corporate office complex, and a 5-storey shopping mall with parking for more than 2,000 vehicles.
Inviting the investors from across the world, Musharraf said Pakistan is pursuing a liberal foreign exchange regime with no limitation on remittances and provides a level playing field for foreign and local investors. He said, “We have opened all sectors of economy for investment and the scourge of red-tapism and bureaucratic delays are being done away with.”
The President warned that he would not tolerate any bottlenecks in the way of investment. “If there is any bottleneck, I will come to the help of the investor,” he said.
The President said greater investment in the country was also helping the country fight extremism and terrorism as these stem from poverty, lack of education and economic opportunities. “We are grateful to the Al-Tamimi group which is helping us fight extremism in this way,” he added.
President Musharraf said the policies of de-regulation, liberalization and privatisation have helped bring in more foreign direct investment.
Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Sherpao said the government has undertaken several projects in the federal capital and in three years time, 1000 five-star hotel rooms will be available.
He said a number of budget hotels to cater to all segments of society will be built besides adding a series of recreational centres for the people.
CEO of PGCL Sardar Tanveer Ilyas said the structure complies with all the building codes of the CDA and can easily sustain an earthquake of 9.5 Richter scale.
He appreciated President Musharraf’s policies and vision that encouraged him to bring in the heavy investment and said the project will be an icon of Pakistan across the world. “The project will provide thousands of direct and indirect jobs to both skilled and unskilled manpower,’ he added.
President AJK Sardar Zulqarnain, Population and Welfare Minister Chaudhary Shahbaz Hussain and Chairman CDA Kamran Lashari also attended the ceremony.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/KHUREE/Pakistan/page1.gif

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/KHUREE/Pakistan/123456.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/KHUREE/Pakistan/5678.jpg

The Centaurus Web Site Launched (http://www.thecentaurus.com/)
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/KHUREE/Pakistan/isloo2006.jpg

The Centaurus
View from Blue Area

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/KHUREE/Pakistan/untitled1jkhkj.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/KHUREE/Pakistan/ViewfromBlueArea.jpg

View from Nazim-ud-Din Road

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/KHUREE/Pakistan/ViewfromNazim-ud-DinRoad.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/KHUREE/Pakistan/432-1.jpghttp://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/KHUREE/Pakistan/654.jpghttp://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/KHUREE/Pakistan/987.jpg

Marketing Suite(Site Office Isloo)

From Concept
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/KHUREE/Pakistan/MS.jpg

To Reality
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/KHUREE/Pakistan/DSC00770.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/KHUREE/Pakistan/DSCN0673.jpg

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/9755/main1wy8.jpg

No words.... it looks Fantastic :shocked: :banana2: :pepper: :applause: :carrot: :rock: :nocrook: :banana: :cucumber: :runaway:

Any video please upload it guy's thanks .

This has surely set the standard for other projects in Pakistan. The presentation and website of the project are as slick, professional and well-thought as any other project in the world.

also, does anybody know which hotel franchise has got the contract for the Centaurus?

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/KHUREE/Pakistan/432-1.jpghttp://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/KHUREE/Pakistan/654.jpghttp://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/KHUREE/Pakistan/987.jpg

Looks Like its set to dominate Islamabad! Visiting their website made me get gossebumps.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/KHUREE/Pakistan/atkins_people.jpg

What musharaf had to say about it... (http://realtalk.us/my_category.asp?main_cats_id=1&sub_cats_id=25)

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9798957&postcount=6

Please refer to the above post by Techno-Arcitecht in World Forums. It has two news clippings; one says it's a 5-star, the other 7-star. Which is it?

If it is a 7-star, is there actually such a need for it?

The first press release stated that it was going to be a 5 start hotel.........
later they came up with the 7* proposal since the project was going to b a landmark building!!

What musharaf had to say about it... (http://realtalk.us/my_category.asp?main_cats_id=1&sub_cats_id=25)


can u paste it over here........
that will b juss gr8!!

When this project was first announced i really thought that it was too good to be true.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9798957&postcount=6

Please refer to the above post by Techno-Arcitecht in World Forums. It has two news clippings; one says it's a 5-star, the other 7-star. Which is it?

If it is a 7-star, is there actually such a need for it?


http://www.destinology.co.uk/HotelImages/hotels/Burj%20Al%20Arab/1.jpg

http://www.destinology.co.uk/HotelImages/hotels/Burj%20Al%20Arab/4.jpg

The Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai is known as the worlds only 7 star hotel. So it means second one going to be in Pakistan how cool is that :runaway: .

I like the centaurus more... The Burj looks like bulbus whale..

Is it just me or is this government really only focusing on "pro-rich development" projects cuz I hardly ever hear about launching of South Asia's latest and greatest hospital or the best School or College.

oh and Atkins looks nice and I am proud its coming up in my city but still..Its so sad that we aren't building any new hospitals.

oh and Atkins looks nice and I am proud its coming up in my city but still..Its so sad that we aren't building any new hospitals.

Two big hospitals to be built in Capital

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) will construct two big hospitals with the involvement of private sector.

The CDA sources said that general hospital will be developed at sector I-12 adjacent to I J Principal. "The project will be launched on the basis of public-private partnership," a CDA official said.

The official said a joint venture company registered with Securities and Stock Exchange Commission would be established to run the project. The teaching hospital would also be developed through public-private partnership in Zone-IV of Islamabad for which 20 acres of land has been allocated.

Source: The News

Apart from this, 4 huge hospitals complexes 'ill be launched with the help of private sector, one hospital complex will be in Blue Area extension (Infront of FJ Park), where as the rest will be in other zones of Isloo.

oh and Atkins looks nice and I am proud its coming up in my city but still..Its so sad that we aren't building any new hospitals.

Bro everything is coming in time just wait and see inshAllah .. go on to the thread I have made called Now Islamabad and Befor you can see the hospital's underway ect ...

Is it just me or is this government really only focusing on "pro-rich development" projects cuz I hardly ever hear about launching of South Asia's latest and greatest hospital or the best School or College.

I think it is only you.....
And do not you get this point it is a private sector project!

Pakistanis have no concept of how the world works. Fullstop

The first press release stated that it was going to be a 5 start hotel.........
later they came up with the 7* proposal since the project was going to b a landmark building!!
Ok, I get that part. But do you believe there's a need for a 7* hotel? As much as I am happy about it, I just don't want it to fail. There's a reason why there ain't no 7* hotels anywhere in the world, except just one. I hope they saw a need for it (which REALLY surprises me) rather than it being a pissing contest with Dubai or a my-****-is-bigger-than-yours thing. But then again, I don't want to be a party-pooper, I am just as happy about it. Just can't wait to see this mother after it's built!

Secondly, any idea about its height? I tried looking in the Pakistan's tallest SS thread, but it wasn't mentioned. And what is Burj-al-Arab's height? If they are making the second 7* hotel, they might as well make it taller!

Lastly, if that is the case, would it make the tallest hotel in the world? I think that crown currently goes to Burj-al-Arab.

This projects name is the centaurus and it IS listed in that list.

this project will definately happen. where are all the lahore people who keep talking about these amazing buildings 60 storeys and 100 storeys when i was in pakistan the tallest bulding in lahore was 20 floors i think. thats as tall as it will get. Islamabad is the future of Pakistan

Sir, you have no idea what you are speaking about. Do you know how much time it takes to build a 60 story building? They are all underway at the amount we mentioned. Please stop using this crazy Pakistani mindset.

mental disorder?

when we talk about buildings here its means they are proposed or under construction, so how do you expect to see them? this is for projects and updates as the name says,

mental disorder?

when we talk about buildings here its means they are proposed or under construction, so how do you expect to see them? this is for projects and updates as the name says,


Yeh I agree with you Pakboy.

This projects name is the centaurus and it IS listed in that list.
I am talking about its HEIGHT. It's not mentioned in there.

The height is mentioned!

All of the 3 towers and the main building...

Ok, I get that part. But do you believe there's a need for a 7* hotel? As much as I am happy about it, I just don't want it to fail. There's a reason why there ain't no 7* hotels anywhere in the world, except just one. I hope they saw a need for it (which REALLY surprises me) rather than it being a pissing contest with Dubai or a my-****-is-bigger-than-yours thing. But then again, I don't want to be a party-pooper, I am just as happy about it. Just can't wait to see this mother after it's built!

Secondly, any idea about its height? I tried looking in the Pakistan's tallest SS thread, but it wasn't mentioned. And what is Burj-al-Arab's height? If they are making the second 7* hotel, they might as well make it taller!

Lastly, if that is the case, would it make the tallest hotel in the world? I think that crown currently goes to Burj-al-Arab.

First of all there are two hotels with 7*.....Burj Al Arab n Emirates Hotel Abu Dhabi...........The floors of Buj Al Arab are 60 n height is smwhr 350m!!

The height of centaurus hotel tower will be 38 floors about 230m plus.....
If u read the economic news and are aware of the current shortage of rooms in hotels n motels of isb, u will realize we certainly need smth diff now.....the pc serena holiday inn are not so good according to international standard to smth diff n extra ordinary is required which will then setup a standard for the rest.....!!!

talkin abt the tallest hotel, i think u need to search around more pages of ssc before commenting. The worlds tallest hotel is on the way.....Burj Al Alam....abt 450m plus........

I'm guessing the daily rates for the hotel (7*) would be something like Rs. 10,000?

Any idea how much an appartment would cost?

I'm guessing the daily rates for the hotel (7*) would be something like Rs. 10,000?

I believe PC Bhurban charges around 12K a night during summer, so I'm guessing they'll charge around 20K a night in this hotel.

Correct me if I am wrong but isn't Serena Islamabad charging something in the vicinity of Rs.22,000 per night?

Yup. Just a quick check on the internet confirms Serena rooms r available for much more than Rs.22,000. Between $390 to $1630, excluding Taxes and Fees. :)

http://www.fivestaralliance.com/luxury_hotel/islamabad/islamabad_serena_hotel/rates
http://travel.travelocity.com/hotel/HotelLanding.do?propertyId=65087&leavingDate=09%2f28%2f2006&returningDate=09%2f29%2f2006&adult1=1&tab=rooms

Something tells me this 7 star hotel isn't so much to cheer about for the majority here.

:)

Thats nothing compared to Shangrilla's 30,000RS rooms in Skardu.

Here's list of the current prices of serena islamabad


From 01 Jan. 2006 to 31 December 2006
BED & BREAKFAST
Deluxe Room US$ 392
Executive Club Floor US$ 422
Junior Suite US$ 512
Executive Suite US$ 712
Presidential Suite US$ 1612
HALF BOARD
Deluxe Room US$ 407
Executive Club Floor US$ 437
Junior Suite US$ 527
Executive Suite US$ 727
Presidential Suite US$ 1627
FULL BOARD
Deluxe Room US$ 422
Executive Club Floor US$ 452
Junior Suite US$ 542
Executive Suite US$ 742
Presidential Suite US$ 1642

Thats nothing compared to Shangrilla's 30,000RS rooms in Skardu.
uh Captain I think u forgot to multiply 390 by 59 and adding 15% GST. Shangrilla starts from Rs. 5,000 and goes to Rs. 25,000. At least those were the rates this summer I was there.

Techno-Architect,

Yeah, I know about the lack of hotel space. My previous company had a lot of people coming to Islamabad and struggled to find a room. And I had to hear that all from the Pakistani company that is a partner in this project. Mind you, we (my company, part of the Interflow group) were originally selected to launch the Centaurus project, but the guys were asses and got dressed down by the Arab company. So later on the planned launch was scuttled. By the way, does anyone know what they eventually did for the launch? My only beef with 7* is that ritzy hotels like the ones you find in Paris, Monte Carlo, etc are exclusively used for leisure. So is Burj-al-Arab. Can't say for Emirates Hotel, Abu Dhabi, though. I know about Burj-al-Arab because my girlfriend processes many of the bookings for it. So just how many people are going to come to Islamabad for a leisurly visit? Anyway, like I said, I am happy as long as it's competitively priced! I think the cheapest of their rooms should start from $600. Burj-al-Arab is $800 (or was, the last time I asked). If this is so, I can assume it'll always be full.

As for the height, damn I was badly mistaken! I know i'll be killed for saying this, but somehow Burj-al-Arab doesn't look all that tall when you stand next to it. Maybe it's the shape or something. It just looks short.

UP,

Dude, what are you talking about? I guess this is the page:
http://www.urbanpk.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=1
Now, where is the height mentioned in there?

And while I am at it, could you make one minor change in there? Color-code the cities, it'd really help.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/KHUREE/Pakistan/page2-2.gif

hmmm juss wonder who this Ustad Isa wuz? Havent heard his name before in history of architecture neither any links with the Taj Mahal or any other building......!!!

Hi guys

We would like to hear your comments about www.thecentaurus.com website. Soon we will add more stuff on website which includes videos, digital catalogue, picture galleries etc. If there is something you would like us to put on website, do let us know. or send email at digitaluweb[@]hotmail.com

:)

uh Captain I think u forgot to multiply 390 by 59 and adding 15% GST. Shangrilla starts from Rs. 5,000 and goes to Rs. 25,000. At least those were the rates this summer I was there.
No, they are 30,000 now after I came back just recently from there. This was straight from the guy at the desk.