Emaar unveils three real estate projects in Pakistan with total investment of AED 8.8 billion

Emaar Properties, the leading property developer, today announced three real estate developments in the cities of Islamabad and Karachi in Pakistan.

http://www.ameinfo.com/images/news/1/26091-paki.jpg
Crescent Bay.

The projects, with a total investment of AED 8.8 billion (US$2.4 billion), will include a series of master planned communities that will set new benchmarks in commercial, residential and retail property within Pakistan.

The nation's capital, Islamabad, is home to two Emaar Pakistan projects: the Highlands and Canyon Views. With 1,500 acres between them the Islamabad communities offer 9,000 luxury single-family town homes and villas in a range of architectural styles with easy access to amenities including retail centres, community club houses, parks, lakes, schools and mosques.

Karachi will be home to Crescent Bay, a 75-acre development featuring high- and mid-rise towers for residential and commercial use, a shopping centre and five-star beachfront hotel. The towers will contain approximately 4,000 residential apartments.

Mohamed Ali Alabbar, Chairman, Emaar Properties said Pakistan represented a vital link in Emaar's global and regional plans. 'These current projects are only a small and initial part of our commitment to providing world-class living and infrastructure in Pakistan,' Alabbar said.

He added: 'Pakistan will play an important role in the development of Emaar's reputation in Asia, and remains one of our most significant commitments outside of the UAE.'

The Highlands development is located within the Defense Housing Authority Islamabad (DHAI) Phase 1 extension and Canyon Views is within the DHAI Phase 2 extension. Offering approximately 50 separate community districts with its own individual identity, a spectrum of architectural styles ranging from Mediterranean, Tuscan, Mughal, Arabic and Spanish, will be available to select from.

Crescent Bay, located within Karachi's DHA Phase 8 and in close proximity to the DHA golf course, will also offer individual architectural styles for each tower within the development. All three projects are expected to be completed in the next four to five years.

Mohammed Al Falasi, Managing Director of Emaar Pakistan said: 'Our goal is to create a series of exciting developments that set new standards for commercial and residential property. Highlands, Canyon Views and Crescent Bay will set these standards and are the first of many projects that we have planned for other cities in Pakistan, which we will be developing over the next few years.'

World famous master planners on the Crescent Bay development are Halcrow International with architects Norr and Holford while master planners WATG, RNL and JZMK are working on Highlands and Canyon Views projects.

Architects for the Islamabad projects are Mazen N. Issa, Alexandra Hayes, Bassenian Lagoni and Saunders & Wiant. The master planners have brought inspiration from the world's best designed residential communities to Pakistan - offering another Emaar signature landmark to the region.

Al Falasi added: 'Furthermore, we are aiming to preserve 20 per cent of the project area as green space, offering a haven of peace and natural beauty in the middle of a thriving community.'

Emaar's innovative offering of self-contained, amenities-rich communities have created lifestyle options that have been the first choice for many residents around the world. The integration of schools, health facilities, parks, landscaped grounds and retail centres into master-planned golf, equestrian and marina-themed lifestyles has proved a winning combination.

With joint ventures and projects covering Saudi Arabia, Syria, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Turkey and India, Emaar is taking its winning formula first conceived in its home base Dubai to the rest of the world.

Source :http://www.propertyworldme.com/content/html/1383.asp

The projects, with a total investment of AED 8.8 billion (US$2.4 billion), will include a series of master planned communities
Emaar Properties, the leading property developer, announced three real estate developments in the cities of Islamabad and Karachi in Pakistan. The projects, with a total investment of AED 8.8 billion (US$2.4 billion), will include a series of master planned communities that will set new benchmarks in commercial, residential and retail property within Pakistan.

The nation’s capital, Islamabad, is home to two Emaar Pakistan projects: the Highlands and Canyon Views. With 1,500 acres between them the Islamabad communities offer 9,000 luxury single-family town homes and villas in a range of architectural styles with easy access to amenities including retail centres, community club houses, parks, lakes, schools and mosques.

Karachi will be home to Crescent Bay, a 75-acre development featuring high- and mid-rise towers for residential and commercial use, a shopping centre and five-star beachfront hotel. The towers will contain approximately 4,000 residential apartments.

Mohamed Ali Alabbar, Chairman, Emaar Properties said Pakistan represented a vital link in Emaar’s global and regional plans. “These current projects are only a small and initial part of our commitment to providing world-class living and infrastructure in Pakistan,” Alabbar said.

He added: “Pakistan will play an important role in the development of Emaar’s reputation in Asia, and remains one of our most significant commitments outside of the UAE.”

The Highlands development is located within the Defense Housing Authority Islamabad (DHAI) Phase 1 extension and Canyon Views is within the DHAI Phase 2 extension. Offering approximately 50 separate community districts with its own individual identity, a spectrum of architectural styles ranging from Mediterranean, Tuscan, Mughal, Arabic and Spanish, will be available to select from.

Crescent Bay, located within Karachi’s DHA Phase 8 and in close proximity to the DHA golf course, will also offer individual architectural styles for each tower within the development. All three projects are expected to be completed in the next four to five years.

Mohammed Al Falasi, Managing Director of Emaar Pakistan said: “Our goal is to create a series of exciting developments that set new standards for commercial and residential property. Highlands, Canyon Views and Crescent Bay will set these standards and are the first of many projects that we have planned for other cities in Pakistan, which we will be developing over the next few years.”

World famous master planners on the Crescent Bay development are Halcrow International with architects Norr and Holford while master planners WATG, RNL and JZMK are working on Highlands and Canyon Views projects.

Architects for the Islamabad projects are Mazen N. Issa, Alexandra Hayes, Bassenian Lagoni and Saunders & Wiant. The master planners have brought inspiration from the world’s best designed residential communities to Pakistan – offering another Emaar signature landmark to the region.

Al Falasi added: “Furthermore, we are aiming to preserve 20 per cent of the project area as green space, offering a haven of peace and natural beauty in the middle of a thriving community.”

Emaar’s innovative offering of self-contained, amenities-rich communities have created lifestyle options that have been the first choice for many residents around the world. The integration of schools, health facilities, parks, landscaped grounds and retail centres into master-planned golf, equestrian and marina-themed lifestyles has proved a winning combination.

With joint ventures and projects covering Saudi Arabia, Syria, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Turkey and India, Emaar is taking its winning formula first conceived in its home base Dubai to the rest of the world.

http://www.propertyworldme.com/content/images/article_1383.jpg

Source : http://today.reuters.com/business/newsArticle.aspx?type=realEstateRestaurantsHotels&storyID=nL31559572

UAE's Emaar win $18 bln Pakistan property deal

DUBAI, May 31 (Reuters) - United Arab Emirates firm Emaar Properties has signed an $18 billion deal with Pakistan's Port Qasim Authority to develop land in Karachi.

A Emaar statement on the Dubai bourse Web site said on Wednesday that the development would include apartments, commercial and retail space as well as hotels and other leisure facilities.

An Emaar official said the deal was signed in Pakistan.

Emaar unveils three real estate projects in Pakistan
By our correspondent

31 May 2006



DUBAI - Emaar Properties, the leading property developer, today announced three real estate developments in the cities of Islamabad and Karachi in Pakistan. The projects, with a total investment of AED 8.8 billion (US$2.4 billion), will include a series of master planned communities that will set new benchmarks in commercial, residential and retail property within Pakistan.


Islamabad is home to two Emaar Pakistan projects: the Highlands and Canyon Views. With 1,500 acres between them the Islamabad communities offer 9,000 luxury single-family town homes and villas in a range of architectural styles with easy access to amenities including retail centres, community club houses, parks, lakes, schools and mosques.

Karachi will be home to Crescent Bay, a 75-acre development featuring high- and mid-rise towers for residential and commercial use, a shopping centre and five-star beachfront hotel. The towers will contain approximately 4,000 residential apartments.

Mohamed Ali Alabbar, Chairman, Emaar Properties said Pakistan represented a vital link in Emaar's global and regional plans. "These current projects are only a small and initial part of our commitment to providing world-class living and infrastructure in Pakistan," Alabbar said.

He added: "Pakistan will play an important role in the development of Emaar's reputation in Asia, and remains one of our most significant commitments outside of the UAE."

The Highlands development is located within the Defence Housing Authority Islamabad (DHAI) Phase 1 extension and Canyon Views is within the DHAI Phase 2 extension. Offering approximately 50 separate community districts with its own individual identity, a spectrum of architectural styles ranging from Mediterranean, Tuscan, Mughal, Arabic and Spanish, will be available to select from.

Crescent Bay, located within Karachi's DHA Phase 8 and in close proximity to the DHA golf course, will also offer individual architectural styles for each tower within the development. All three projects are expected to be completed in the next four to five years.

Mohammed Al Falasi, Managing Director of Emaar Pakistan said: "Our goal is to create a series of exciting developments that set new standards for commercial and residential property. Highlands, Canyon Views and Crescent Bay will set these standards and are the first of many projects that we have planned for other cities in Pakistan, which we will be developing over the next few years."

World famous master planners on the Crescent Bay development are Halcrow International with architects Norr and Holford while master planners WATG, RNL and JZMK are working on Highlands and Canyon Views projects.

Architects for the Islamabad projects are Mazen N. Issa, Alexandra Hayes, Bassenian Lagoni and Saunders & Wiant. The master planners have brought inspiration from the world's best designed residential communities to Pakistan - offering another Emaar signature landmark to the region.

Al Falasi added: "Furthermore, we are aiming to preserve 20 per cent of the project area as green space, offering a haven of peace and natural beauty in the middle of a thriving community."

Emaar's innovative offering of self-contained, amenities-rich communities have created lifestyle options that have been the first choice for many residents around the world. The integration of schools, health facilities, parks, landscaped grounds and retail centres into master-planned golf, equestrian and marina-themed lifestyles has proved a winning combination.

With joint ventures and projects covering Saudi Arabia, Syria, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Turkey and India, Emaar is taking its winning formula first conceived in its home base Dubai to the rest of the world.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/business/2006/May/business_May708.xml&section=business&col=

Great news.

Creek Marina's certainly going down after this!

No way ....

Creek Marina's location is different .. plus .... these new projects will take time to get mature.... at the other hand Creek Marina & Sneak View booking is already in progress.

Fahad were you at VT once?

I thought Emaar was already working in Pakistan. Near Lahore they are planning to build a new city. Look here:

http://img280.imageshack.us/img280/372/dhaimap0mw.png

Thats a map of islamabad not Lahore. Yeap Emaar had planned to build in DHA II for quite a while now it was on the DHAI website also. Good stuff seems like DHA islamabad will be a nice place Emaar, Al Ghurair and Malaysian firms building in this area.

Thats a map of islamabad not Lahore. Yeap Emaar had planned to build in DHA II for quite a while now it was on the DHAI website also. Good stuff seems like DHA islamabad will be a nice place Emaar, Al Ghurair and Malaysian firms building in this area.

O yeah, you're right. But I read somewhere that they are also building a city near Lahore.

Excellent news! With creek city and creek marina, the Emaar project will be an excellent addition to the Karachi coastline!

And FahadK, Creek Marina/City is also being built by a reputable firm, Meinhardt, so I doubt its reputation would diminish much because of Crescent Bay, but all of this development will definitely propel Karachi and Islamabad into international ranks.

O yeah, you're right. But I read somewhere that they are also building a city near Lahore.


that city was not theres it was bahria towns, the CM had stolen it from them and handed it over to emaar but bahria seem to have gotten it back now.

the launch by emaar was planned for end of 2006 so i guess bahria will be launching it by nov-dec this year,

Maybe this new competition will make Creek city people speed up process so that they have some sort of a head start.

that city was not theres it was bahria towns, the CM had stolen it from them and handed it over to emaar but bahria seem to have gotten it back now.

the launch by emaar was planned for end of 2006 so i guess bahria will be launching it by nov-dec this year,

Bahria has also planned schemes in Karachi, Sialkot and Gujranwala. I read that on their website more than a year ago. But nothing has appeared on their website. Have they slowed down their work or something, their schemes in Islamabad and Lahore seem to go very slow as well.

Nothing but crap for the rich of Pakistan. At least the middle class can afford homes in places like Bahria town!

The design for some reason also does not attract me.

Fahad were you at VT once?
Im sorry, VT?

O yeah, you're right. But I read somewhere that they are also building a city near Lahore.

Yeah it was supposed to be Emaar's but now Punjab Govt. and UAE Govt. have formed a JV Real Estate Company called Taavun and Zayed Centre Lahore is its first project, the $1bn Lake City will follow very soon.

our country is def going up and this government has laso played its part.....
This Gov should stay......these projects would be great for the image of country....

Now thats what i call being on the right track and the best news is that this is just the start......

Allah kare je silsila chalta hi rahe.......
Hope their is no corruption.....and all honest work and on time...

This project has basically made me believe that Pakistan's economic growth is finally paying off. Does anyone have a map (or could they make one on google earth) showing where these projects are located in Karachi? I don't know where DHA Phase I, II, etc. are all located. Is it on that peninsula that hangs southward from Clifton? I think that peninsula would be an ideal place to develop into a lush green town full of mansions and golf courses (yes i know that sounds almost pretentious, but Karachi needs a spacious luxury district where people can have fine homes on big lots with trees). Would also be nice to extend the Kothari (sp?) Parade, clean up the beach, plant trees, and develop low-rise and architecturally interesting buildings facing the sea, as has been done in South Beach in Miami FL. But yea, go Karachi! this will DEFINATELY set a new standard!

http://www.kauser.net/images/Emaar%20Crescent%20Bay%20Map.jpg

Most of the Emaar Crescent Bay will be on reclaimed land.

This project has basically made me believe that Pakistan's economic growth is finally paying off. Does anyone have a map (or could they make one on google earth) showing where these projects are located in Karachi? I don't know where DHA Phase I, II, etc. are all located. Is it on that peninsula that hangs southward from Clifton? I think that peninsula would be an ideal place to develop into a lush green town full of mansions and golf courses (yes i know that sounds almost pretentious, but Karachi needs a spacious luxury district where people can have fine homes on big lots with trees). Would also be nice to extend the Kothari (sp?) Parade, clean up the beach, plant trees, and develop low-rise and architecturally interesting buildings facing the sea, as has been done in South Beach in Miami FL. But yea, go Karachi! this will DEFINATELY set a new standard!


All this is already happening in DHA Khi. DHA is one of Asia's largest planned communities. The houses are large and most have very well kept gardens and plantations. Theres also a golf course there and it is improving by the day.
Kothari Parade area is also being extended and Beach Park is being made.

construction allready started in isloo

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/images/2006/06/01/20060601_11.jpg

Karachiite, what is the eplanet island.

great news for karachi and islamabad but yeah karachiite can u tell wat is the eplanet island

Karachiite, what is the eplanet island.

ePlanet Island is in the planning stage. It will consist of eight highrise condominium buildings on ten acres of land. It would probably be launched in the next few months.

What the, Karachiite do you have a source for this "ePlanet" island? I used to work at ePlanet (Communications), and I doubt its highly unlikely that the project is called "ePlanet Island".

Weird.

ePlanet Island has nothing to do with ePlanet Communications. "ePlanet Island" may not even be the final name of this project, but it will be 8 highrise buildings in the location I pointed out. This is a news item from a few months ago:

The Defence Housing Authority would soon send its team to UAE and Pakistan embassies would organise road-shows to attract the foreign investment for DHA's grand projects aimed at developing and beautifying the 14-kilometer Karachi beach from abandoned Casino to Golf Club. The DHA has initiated a $600 million water front development project to turn the existing beach into a model beach in a phased manner in the next eight to ten years.

The project has two components, one of which pertains to civic facilities, and DHA itself is expected to undertake it.

The other one is to be developed with participation of local as well as foreign investors. The Egyptian and Lebanese parties are interested in some of the segments while a Malaysian group is interested in entire project and investing $600 million over next 10 years.

Meanwhile, the DHA has signed a MoU with M/s Minhal (Pvt) Ltd to design, construct, develop and make functional the area between Sindbad and McDonald restaurant.

This three-phased project consists of shopping mall with best entertainment facilities, a food court, a hype-market, in-line retail, covered/open car parking, gaming facilities, ground-plus six story buildings, commercial office towers, go-kart track facilities and service apartments. An agreement with M/s ePlanet, a financial venture capital group based in America, has also been finalised for developing an exclusive high-rise residential complex over 10.3 acres with towers up to 50 story.

The group is in the process of setting up special purpose vehicle for execution of the project and work is expected to commence at the site by mid-2005.

Moreover, 74 acres of land would be reclaimed for construction of high-rise buildings. An agreement has been formalised with M/s Emaar, a major Dubai-based land development consortium, to build eight residential towers of up to 50 story.

Other than that, eight commercial towers housing the offices on 50-story, ground-pus six story for residential purpose, town houses comprising ground floors and two stories, a 5-star hotel and a most modern amphitheatre would also be constructed.

Further, an agreement with M/s International Spectrum Development Corporation, an American-based consortium specialising in entertainment industry, has been finalised for the development of most modern and the state-of-art entertainment center.

DUBAI — Leading Dubai business groups including Emaar and Dubai World yesterday announced in Islamabad investment commitments totalling more than $30 billion, which along with some $4 billion investments already committed by Etisalat and DP World recently, will account for nearly one-third of Pakistan's gross domestic product (GDP) of $118 billion.


This phenomenal investment plans by Dubai groups in various property and industrial projects also signal the dawn of a new era of foreign direct investment flow into Pakistan, which last year attracted only $2 billion in FDI.

In addition to the investment programmes unveiled by Emaar and Dubai World, Dubai Islamic Bank yesterday also committed an investment to its operations in Pakistan, and said it will open 70 branches in the next 18 months. A Memorandum of Intent was signed between DIB and the State Bank of Pakistan to open the branches in the next 18 months.

The landmark investment commitments, made during the visit of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, comes close on the heels of an upgrading of Pakistan’s foreign-currency ceiling by two notches from B2 to Ba3, by Moody’s, and an upbeat economic forecast of 8 per cent growth made by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on record foreign investment and rising consumer spending. While Emaar Properties will spend $20.4 billion in real estate development in Karachi, Dubai World unveiled a $10 billion investment plan across different industries including infrastructure developments, industrial and real estate projects.

Yesterday, Emaar signed $18 billion accord with Port Qasim Authority to build a mixed-use development comprising homes, hotels and golf courses in Karachi, and announced three real estate developments in Islamabad and Karachi involving investment of $2.4 billion. These developments include a series of master planned communities that will set new benchmarks in commercial, residential and retail property within Pakistan.

Islamabad is home to two Emaar Pakistan projects — the Highlands and Canyon Views. With 1,500 acres between them the Islamabad communities offer 9,000 luxury single-family town homes and villas in a range of architectural styles with easy access to amenities including retail centres, community club houses, parks, lakes, schools and mosques.

Karachi will be home to Crescent Bay, a 75-acre development featuring high- and mid-rise towers for residential and commercial use, a shopping centre and five-star beachfront hotel. The towers will contain approximately 4,000 residential apartments.

Mohammed Ali Alabbar, Chairman, Emaar Properties said Pakistan represented a vital link in Emaar's global and regional plans.

"These current projects are only a small and initial part of our commitment to providing world-class living and infrastructure in Pakistan. Pakistan will play an important role in the development of Emaar's reputation in Asia, and remains one of our most significant commitments outside of the UAE," Alabbar said.

Dubai World's projects include construction of a modern waterfront off the Karachi coastline, besides the management and development of Pakistani Ports. DP World has already made a commitment of $1.6 billion to develop Gwadar Port. Early this year, UAE's telecoms giant Etisalat concluded a landmark $2.6 billion acquisition of a 26 per cent stake in Pakistan telecoms firm PTCL.

Pakistan's economy expanded 8.4 per cent in the year to June, the fastest pace in two decades. Pakistan's long-term foreign-currency rating was raised in November 2004 by a level to B+, or the fourth non- investment grade, by Standard & Poor's, after lowering to within two levels of default status in October 1998 after the country tested nuclear weapons and attracted sanctions including a ban on aid and loans from countries in Europe and the United States. Now Pakistan has foreign-exchange reserves of $13 billion, helped by record overseas direct investment of $3 billion in the 10 months to April 30.

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/business/2006/June/business_June25.xml&section=business

that city was not theres it was bahria towns, the CM had stolen it from them and handed it over to emaar but bahria seem to have gotten it back now.

the launch by emaar was planned for end of 2006 so i guess bahria will be launching it by nov-dec this year,

This is the article I was talking about.

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/business/2005/May/business_May457.xml&section=business&col=

UAE company part of mega Lahore project
BY HASEEB HAIDER

25 May 2005

ABU DHABI — With an estimated cost of $800-900 million for the first phase, the new city to be constructed by Emaar Al Bilad Pakistan Ltd, a joint venture between Dhabi Group and Emaar, outside Lahore would be bigger than the size of Abu Dhabi.

Last fortnight, Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, chairman of Dhabi Group, signed an MoU on behalf of his business associates including Emaar Al Bilad Pakistani Ltd, to begin the spadework on one of the largest housing schemes in Asia. The Government of Punjab is sorting-out the legal modalities of the MoU, before signing an agreement to start the construction activities of a modern and beautiful city of its kind which will take into account the growing needs of Lahore, Pakistan's second largest city with a population of 7.5 million.

The new city will be constructed in four phases with a total area of 30,000 acres. It will be a complete and independent city in its own right with its own hospitals, a university, colleges, schools, shopping centres, recreational parks, civic facilities. It would be annexed to Lahore from the ring road on one side near B.R.B Canal and the Lahore-Islamabad Motorway near Shahdara, as city will be located on the northeastern corner of Lahore. Out of total 30,000 acres allocated for the project, a huge lake and recreational project spread on 11,000 acres is integral part of the housing scheme, which will provide recreational facilities to its inhabitants. "While out of remaining 19,000 acres, the first phase whose ground-breaking is not likely to be done by late next year would comprise on 2300 acres of land...It would be developed into a modern, vibrant and bustling city where modern day town-planning concepts would be applied," said Bashir Tahir, CEO of Dhabi Group, in an interview with Khaleej Times.

The builders, Emaar Al Bilad Pakistan Ltd, are likely to construct at least 25 per cent of the housing colony on plots of 250, 500 and 1000 yards, according to international standards, which would be later be sold out to the public.

The Government of Punjab is working on a law which would be passed through the provincial legislator to acquire the lands from their owners besides laying out the rules and regulations governing the matters relating to the new city, of whose name has not yet been decided.

The total cost of acquisitions and construction of the modern day facilities are estimated to be at least $800-900 million. The Government of Punjab will contribute its 20 per cent equity in the shape of land, while the rest of the amount to finance the mega project would be raised by the UAE developers.

any ideas about the average price of luxury apartments there?

This is the article I was talking about.

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/business/2005/May/business_May457.xml&section=business&col=

UAE company part of mega Lahore project
BY HASEEB HAIDER

25 May 2005

ABU DHABI — With an estimated cost of $800-900 million for the first phase, the new city to be constructed by Emaar Al Bilad Pakistan Ltd, a joint venture between Dhabi Group and Emaar, outside Lahore would be bigger than the size of Abu Dhabi.

Last fortnight, Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, chairman of Dhabi Group, signed an MoU on behalf of his business associates including Emaar Al Bilad Pakistani Ltd, to begin the spadework on one of the largest housing schemes in Asia. The Government of Punjab is sorting-out the legal modalities of the MoU, before signing an agreement to start the construction activities of a modern and beautiful city of its kind which will take into account the growing needs of Lahore, Pakistan's second largest city with a population of 7.5 million.

The new city will be constructed in four phases with a total area of 30,000 acres. It will be a complete and independent city in its own right with its own hospitals, a university, colleges, schools, shopping centres, recreational parks, civic facilities. It would be annexed to Lahore from the ring road on one side near B.R.B Canal and the Lahore-Islamabad Motorway near Shahdara, as city will be located on the northeastern corner of Lahore. Out of total 30,000 acres allocated for the project, a huge lake and recreational project spread on 11,000 acres is integral part of the housing scheme, which will provide recreational facilities to its inhabitants. "While out of remaining 19,000 acres, the first phase whose ground-breaking is not likely to be done by late next year would comprise on 2300 acres of land...It would be developed into a modern, vibrant and bustling city where modern day town-planning concepts would be applied," said Bashir Tahir, CEO of Dhabi Group, in an interview with Khaleej Times.

The builders, Emaar Al Bilad Pakistan Ltd, are likely to construct at least 25 per cent of the housing colony on plots of 250, 500 and 1000 yards, according to international standards, which would be later be sold out to the public.

The Government of Punjab is working on a law which would be passed through the provincial legislator to acquire the lands from their owners besides laying out the rules and regulations governing the matters relating to the new city, of whose name has not yet been decided.

The total cost of acquisitions and construction of the modern day facilities are estimated to be at least $800-900 million. The Government of Punjab will contribute its 20 per cent equity in the shape of land, while the rest of the amount to finance the mega project would be raised by the UAE developers.


yes this is lake view city, it was a bahria town proposel, but there proposel got stolen by the Chief Minister and was handed over to emaar and cm saab got a share init. but latly i have heard its been handed back to bahria town and there proposel is a 50,000 acre city.

yes this is lake view city, it was a bahria town proposel, but there proposel got stolen by the Chief Minister and was handed over to emaar and cm saab got a share init. but latly i have heard its been handed back to bahria town and there proposel is a 50,000 acre city.

Ok but they have already started building Lake View City (what an original name btw).

any hi res renders? website? or more info?

Why is it that on the map there seems to be a grid-pattern on the peninsula? are there roads already built there?

^ The Google Earth image?

If your asking about that, then yes those are the roads, they have'nt been properly carpeted though.

EMAAR in Blue Area
http://static.flickr.com/64/158609691_cc53aa0755_o.jpg

Crescent Bay is amazing. I always dream of a Karachi with a beautiful waterfront and a beautiful corniche. I guess my dream is coming true finally...:) I think Karachi needs more projects of this kind.

I really hope that this office only temporary and that they build a proper state of the art office in ISB somewhere. cuz this office does not do justice to company as Rich and state of art as Emaar.

Farhad, if you can, please try to go to this office and find out if they have models of their pakistan projects on show or some other information.

I am sure once they get more busy in Pak they might make a better office for themselves as well.

Farhad, if you can, please try to go to this office and find out if they have models of their pakistan projects on show or some other information.
Sure.
By the way you can register and receive updates on their projects in Pakistan.

http://www.emaar.com/Register/Index.asp
---------------------------------------------
Emaar Pakistan Group
2nd & 3rd Floor, Fortune Plaza
72-East, Blue area
Islamabad - Pakistan
tel +92.51.2803188
fax +92.51.2803133

There's a large billboard with a large Emaar logo on it on Park Lane Road (Qarshi Road?) just opposite Firdous Market, Gulberg Lahore.

Let's hope this is a sign that they're planning to launch a project in Lahore aswell... keep yer fingers crossed!

^^That might be the case but it is more likely that they are just preparing billboards for advertising their 3 projects in Karachi and Isloo.

emaar usally do invest alot in marketing and love to put there logos everywhere, you could even find emaar logos in london.

Limitless all set to build New Karachi

BY MUZAFFAR RIZVI

DUBAI — Dubai World has revealed that its integrated international real estate developer company — Limitless — will spearhead the multi-billion dollar Karachi Waterfront development project comprising residential, commercial, recreational and entertainment facilities.

Sources told Khaleej Times yesterday that the mega project will develop 25,000 hectare of prime waterfront property in southern port city of Karachi.

"Phase-1 of the project in commercial hub of Pakistan will involve an investment of $20 billion over the next ten years. It will develop more than 2,000 hectare of prime waterfront property in the city," the sources said adding that subsequent phases of the project are expected to involve much larger investments.

They further said that several other projects are also in the pipeline in Dubai and elsewhere, and will be announced shortly.

The announcement for Karachi Waterfront project was made during the recent visit of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai to Pakistan. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to this effect was signed by Pakistani Minister of State for Privatisation and Investment, Umar Ahmed Ghuman and Dubai World Chairman Sultan bin Sulayem in Islamabad.

Revealing the details of the project, Chairman Dubai World Sultan bin Sulayem said: "We are delighted to lead the development of the Karachi Waterfront project. This is a major project, involving phased development of the 25,000 hectare site in the port city of Pakistan."

"It will be a new Karachi," Bin Sulayem maintained.

"Limitless' focus on creating balanced developments for large urban communities will, we believe, ensure that the development meets the economic and social needs of the government and the people of Pakistan," he added.

The CEO of Limitless, Saeed Ahmed Saeed, said the master plan of the project is being finalised and it could cater the needs of people.

"At present, the exact elements of the master plan are being finalised considering the overall needs of the people and the best approach to develop a self-sustaining community," Saeed added.

"The business of creating balanced developments is a challenging one. It is a relatively new science, which requires a great deal of research, flexibility and a multi-disciplinary approach to ensure that the balance sought is not only achievable but sustainable," Saeed observed.

"In the coming months we hope to be able to reveal more details on other projects — but only when we are confident that we have found the best solution to address the needs of each community," Saeed added.

Karachi Waterfront will evolve as Limitless prepares the master plan in line with local and government needs. According to an official, the project will contain a defined and carefully weighted balance of residential, commercial, recreational and entertainment facilities.

"The new city will also be home to Special Economic Zones, creating a hub for trading, manufacturing and services industry. All components of the development will be supported by a world-class infrastructure and amenities," the official said.

The waterfront development project is part of the Government of Pakistan's initiative to attract investment and visitors to Pakistan. It is the first international mega project announced by Limitless since the company was officially launched in April, 2006.

Limitless can lay claim to three specific areas of expertise that provide the company with a competitive advantage internationally — master planning large urban communities, waterfront development and the implementation of large balanced projects. Initial equity capital for Limitless is provided by Dubai World, but the company plans to tap the debt markets and look at strategic investors to finance its early growth and new projects.

WoW! Karachi will be a changed city in a few years!!!

thats amazing! wow...

i hope this investment also brings in there rivals to invest into pakistan, also taavun probaly have something up their sleeves is well as emaar are there big time pakistan rivals. by the end of this year we shall see alot of investments coming into the country.

Pakistan, UAE agree to further expand ties

ISLAMABAD, May 30 (APP):

Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates Tuesday vowed to further strengthen their ties in all aspects especially in economy, trade, defence and security.

The two countries also signed three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for cooperation in development of mega infrastructure projects, bringing in investments totalling US 100 billion dollars, besides granting permission to the Dubai Islamic Bank to operate fifty branches in Pakistan.

The signing of the MoUs was witnessed by Vice President and Prime Minister of United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz here at the Prime Minister House. The two leaders earlier also held an exclusive meeting.

It was followed by a second round, in which their aides joined and discussed wide ranging issues. The first MOU was signed between the Ministry of Ports and Shipping and Emmar Properties(EP), under which EP will participate in joint ventures for the development of mega residential, commercial, leisure and real estate projects, industrial parks, free zones and port terminals.

The second MOU was signed for the development of Karachi Beach Front. The third MOU pertained to investment in mega infrastructure projects, under which investors from UAE will inject around US 100 billion dollars in various projects, including construction of residential building and towns, highways, airports and commercial development.

WHY THIS SUDDEN INTREST IN PAKISTAN FROM THE DUBAI WALAI>?

WHY THIS SUDDEN INTREST IN PAKISTAN FROM THE DUBAI WALAI>?

The Gulf countries are awash in petrodollars as the price of oil has gone through the roof. At the same time they are scared of investing in the US and Europe as they're not welcome there anymore. That's why they're looking to invest in Asia. Pakistan happens to be close by and they're used to dealing with Pakistanis working there.

i doubt thos are the actual renders, the render looks like a project less the 1 billion dollars and the CEO said the masterplan is still being finalized, the investment is huge so i expect it to cover all of the DHA waterfront, from creek city all the way down to clifton, and maybe bundle island would be included in this project is well, i am pretty sure bundle island would be included in this project.

The Gulf countries are awash in petrodollars as the price of oil has gone through the roof. At the same time they are scared of investing in the US and Europe as they're not welcome there anymore. That's why they're looking to invest in Asia. Pakistan happens to be close by and they're used to dealing with Pakistanis working there.

In addition, the petrodollars windfall is being (sensibly) used to diversify the Gulf States' investment portfolios. Recently, UAE companies have also been investing heavily in acquiring European and US based companies as well as expanding into South Asia.

^^ not to mention theres enormous economic potential in Pakistan these days because of a resurgent economy and investor-friendly policies of the current government.

The Crescent city project is part of the 3 real estate projects costing $2.4 B in total... its not part of the Bin Qasim project

Thats a map of islamabad not Lahore. Yeap Emaar had planned to build in DHA II for quite a while now it was on the DHAI website also. Good stuff seems like DHA islamabad will be a nice place Emaar, Al Ghurair and Malaysian firms building in this area.
actualy that is a map of lahore maby i am mistaken but i dont know of any river in islamabad and any ways there are no lakes in that map. Oh and at the very top of the map it says road to Islamabad. :)

$20 billion into Karachi is a mind-blowing investment, considering the Palm Islands (man made islands in Dubai) "only" cost $2 billion. I think it's possible that we will also see a man-made island development off the coast of Karachi. I think an island in the shape of a crescent and a star would be pretty cool. :P

Sikandar!

Salam,

I think you are right about the idea of the man-made island off Karachi's coast to be of a crescent-n-star shaped. It would be kind'a cool.

However, the project of an Island (a natural island) off Karachi's coast (called Bundle Island) was shelved by the investors, as we don't hear about that any more. I feel like it would be wiser for the planners to develop this DHA penensula kind of thing first, and that will get the access to this barren Island called Bundle.

Emaar's projects sound pretty nice and cool. I do think that a great much can be accomplished with 20 billion dollars.... I hope it is true.(and fast.. :) )

Peace.

It's kind of hard to make an island off the coast of karachi. the reasons being the sea. Shores of the Guklf are way calmer than the seashore in karachi. you can call the arabian sea as pretty much dead.
i think this is the reason why an earlier project was shelved.

would'n be possible in Pakistan...not now but in next decade might be....

Why not now?

If you look at the satellite images of Bundle Island, you can see that most of it is above water. It can be easily reclaimed and connected to DHA Phase VIII Also, the reclaimation could be carried out such that it takes some shape or form.

But like R Khan said, the Arabian sea is much more rougher than the waters of the Persian Gulf. And there is the occasional threat of a Cyclone or a minimal threat of a Tsunami. So I would advise against building Islands off the shore of Karachi unless they are reclaimed to a VERY high elevation and protected from the sea by artificial barriers. Otherwise, they would just be unsafe.

well there is no need to make new islands, there is plenty waterfront site availble, they can make the projects on the waterfront of dha 8 and bundle island and then they can also make more projects on the left side of the port which is completly empty and also that strip which leads to manora island and manora island itself.

We have the entire damn Makran Coast! I would like to see hotels along the entire Makran Coast one day.

hahah, well maybe not hotels but development of some sort.. I agree that it's sad to see us ignore our beautiful coastline up to now.

may be a development take place if the coasts are nice and tidy so it attracts more ppl...
thats why investors will consider such thing or else theyy will be blank empty so no point...

Heck yeah!! we should have developments along the entire arabian sea coast of Pakistan!! All the way from Karachi to Iran! Hotels, big buisness plazas, sewerage systems, the works! YEAH!

There is miles and miles of beautiful seaside to develop along the coast going west from Karachi. In the future I'm sure this area will see lots of development. If this was a western country this area would have been developed a long time ago.

But in Pakistan there is no beach culture. Even in DHA the beach is lying undeveloped. In fact the plots nearest to the beach are the cheapest as people are wary of the corrosive effect of the sea breeze as can be witnessed by the dilapidated condition of Seaview apartments. This was, of course, because of the lack of proper construction.

The coast is most suitable for resort development. However, the lack of beach culture is the reason it hasn't been done and will take time. Good hotels with water sports may attract some Pakistanis but will likely be more popular with European tourists. Pakistan can develop a large tourist industry in this area. Of course, this is unlikely to be allowed, especially since alcohol and western beach attire will would have to be tolerated.

As far as housing development is concerned, city residents want to live within the city not miles away. If the driving time is more than half an hour, no one will go there. The coast on the west of Karachi takes much longer to access. No one is going to build expressways first and wait for development later.

So any development that happens on the coast will be in DHA and Clifton and adjoining areas for the time being.

The concern that the Arabian Sea is rough is correct. The Persian Gulf of Dubai is almost like a lake. However the Karachi coast has the potential for a damaging storm and this is something that needs to be kept in mind.

well it looks like they are listening to me :)

Dubai World will construct new modern cities at Clifton Beach, Sandspit & Manora, Hawks Bay & Cape Mont in Karachi with the investment of US $ 15 billion.

http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/june-2006/16/bnews5.php

Salam,

Its a good news that we are taking serious measures to develop some of the cities on Makran coast. I would like to see Makran coast having 4 cosmopolitan cities in next 30 years; Gwadar, Jiwani, Ormara and Pasni.

Beyond these 4, I think we shouldn't develop our coasts. We have one of the world's biggest mangover forests at Indus's huge Delta. We also have a huge natural eco-system at Sonmiani bay, which is the winter-stay for millions and millions of Siberian birds flying thousands of miles over the Central Asia. We need to preserve these two huge natural eco-systems of the world.

However, 4 more industrial cities on Makran [Gwadar, Jiwani, Ormara and Pasni] coast would do economic miracles for the country.

Peace.

What is Bundle Islands??? Where is it?Can someone post satellite pics of it??

well this is quite interesting, manger of marketing states that this big investment was to get gwadar port.


Imran Afzal Khan, manager of marketing and financial services at Arab Emirates Investment Bank, said each Pakistan project stands on its own merits as investments. But he added they could also be seen as "clearing the way for the jewel in the crown," namely Gwadar port.

http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/06/06/27/10049647.html

I suggest having a high speed rail connection between Karachi and Gwadar. Maybe something like the Japanese Shinkansen.

Bundle Island can be seen south of the DHA Peninsula in the picture below:

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/8954/bundleisland6xz.jpg

UAE delegation calls on CM
A delegation of an investment company of United Arab Emirates, Emmar Properties called on Punjab Chief Minister Ch Pervaiz Elahi at Chief Minister’s Secretariat here on Wednesday. The delegation was led by Managing Director of Emmar Properties, Muhammad Al-Falasi. Matters regarding investment opportunities in Punjab and other affairs were discussed in the meeting. Secretary Investment and Commerce Saeed Ahmad Alvi and Secretary Housing Khalid Sultan were also present on this occasion.
The chief minister said a number of international investment companies are showing keen interest in various projects in Punjab due to highly favourable investment climate existing in the province. He said all out facilities would be provided to foreign investors in Punjab.
Managing Director Emmar Properties, Muhammad Al-Falasi said Emmar Properties is deeply interested in investment in Punjab. He said Emmar group is playing an important role in hotel industry, housing, shopping malls, construction of offices and towers, golf courses and provision of recreational facilities in various countries of the world. He said the group would soon take practical steps for investment in various development sectors in Punjab.
http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/july-2006/6/localnews5.php

Since Emaar has now distinctly mentioned Crescent Bay on their website, this is going to be the thread for this project.

http://www.emaar.com/International/pakistan/Index.asp

Crescent Bay, Karachi

A 75 acre development featuring high and mid-rise towers for residential and commercial use, a shopping centre and five star beachfront hotel. The towers will contain 4000 residential apartments.

Crescent Bay is located within Karachi's DHA Phase 8 and in close proximity to the DHA golf course. It will offer individual architectural sytles for each tower within the development.

http://www.emaar.com/Images/Pakistan1_tcm3-2997.jpg

Crescent Bay, Karachi

Emaar's Crescent Bay in PakistanLaunched on May 31, 2006 as part of a US$2.4 billion investment in Pakistan by Emaar. Crescent Bay is a 75-acre development featuring high- and mid-rise towers for residential and commercial use, a shopping centre and five-star beachfront hotel. The towers will contain approximately 4,000 residential apartments. Crescent Bay is located within Karachi’s DHA Phase 8 and in close proximity to the DHA golf course

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emaar#Pakistan

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/60/Crescent_Bay_1.jpg

this project will launch 1st week of september.

how do you know?

Their renders are so eye catching yet their design if placed in Dubai or Karachi or Kuwait would look the same. Their isnt any distinction of cultural architecture in it. No respect for the local architecture. Even if u plant these building on Marz they will certainly represent a EMAAR copyright design.lolz

^^ that is SO TRUE!

Emaar needs to get be more attuned to local architectural preferences.

True, but what exactly is the local style of Karachi? If it was lahore we could say there should be moghul-british influences, in Peshawar maybe some brick and woodwork, but what is Karachi's defining architectural style? it seems everything can fit into Karachi's architectural scene, from British colonial, to mudhut, to ultramodern

Yes, Karachi being a big city leans towards ultramodern or cosmopolitan looking towers. I guess ones that might fit in very well could be inspired by the architecture of Hong Kong, or Chicago. We need to keep in mind that Karachi is a buisness city and people prefer efficient, spacious, but beautiful architecture.

Also, buildings could also draw on inspiration from the rich british colonial era heritage of Karachi.

True, but what exactly is the local style of Karachi? If it was lahore we could say there should be moghul-british influences, in Peshawar maybe some brick and woodwork, but what is Karachi's defining architectural style? it seems everything can fit into Karachi's architectural scene, from British colonial, to mudhut, to ultramodern
If talking realistically Karachi has a modern(i mean international style)+British architechture..............and has a very less influence(almost negligible) of islamic esp. mughal architecture.................
but what i dream of is Karachi to have a cocmopolitan style like shanghai or Hong Kong;) etc(yes b'coz its a big city).......

Karachi doesn't really have any distinct style. I mean, I can't point out to some sort of architecture and say that it looks Karachiesque. It's just got rectangular buildings. Not a dig at Karachi, just an observation.

Having said that, does anyone know what the height of these buildings is going to be? Secondly, I would've preferred a cluster of these buildings rather than them being erected sporadically. When I look at it from the sea-level rendering, it seems that something's missing in there. I am not too sold on this design.

^^ Although a cluster of buildings would have it's appearance benefits, this way, the occupants can have their breathing spaces and have parks and everything, instead of a view of someone elses apartments blocking it. But I guess it didnt' need to be so far away.

I see Emaar advertisment every where (DAWM front page, on billboards)
They are investing much in advertising....this shows they are really comming up with big projects in pakistan.

yes, product launch date is comming closer.

The design is amazing .. but how on earth are they going to make that dirty water become blue( as in the pic above) :hahaha:

haha! Only around a week left until the launch date... :)

The design is amazing .. but how on earth are they going to make that dirty water become blue( as in the pic above) :hahaha:


and not forget, make the sky look orange. :scouserd:

I can see chances of the sky getting orange cant say much abt the blue water though. Checkout Karachi orange sky at http://www.flickr.com/photos/alikhurshid/48686225/
(from Ali Khurshids album on flickr)

Water of that area (around Golf course, creek marina etc) is not dirty.... its clean......
Sea is poluted around the KPT area....
I am posting the pic of that area... DHA's underconstruction desilination plant is also located there....

Desilination plan
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i303/moazzam_/38f3be66.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i303/moazzam_/untitled.jpg

I have a little confusion, see if someone can help. DHA has plans to develop the whole strip starting from McDonald's up to the golf course. It's just one big project. But we have this project that lies somewhere in the middle of it. And we have Creek Marina also lying within that strip. There maybe other projects that I may not know of. So what gives? Am I missing something here?

just noticed on google earth that land has already been reclaimed for this project here are the pics frm google earth.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-11/1113934/crescentbay.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-11/1113934/crescentbay2.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-11/1113934/crescentbay3.jpg

oh wow! You are right!

I wonder when they are officially going to launch this project!

i hope the launch date is soon they must be done with reclaiming

Yes, I just checked Google Earth properly for picture updates, and the area seems to have been photographed on April 4th, 2006 by Digital Globe. So if this is the progress dating from April, I am sure a lot more work would have been accomplished by now.

are you sure google has updated the pictures cos emaar are saying no work has started and will start next year/

Well they probably mean work on construction and official launching. Right now it seems like its just land reclaimation and site preparation.

And yes, Google Earth had another massive database update near the beginning of October. Not all of Karachi was updated, however, some recently photographed data was uploaded for the surrounding vicinity.

the area and roads are closed for traffic from both ends. i was able to see some cranes stretched upwards from both ends. one from creek marina area and another from sea view area. but the cranes were far too away for me to take a clear picture. there is however one blurred photo digitally zoomed to maximum that you can see here. 24th photo (scroll to 5th page in the collection)

http://beta.pixsense.com/publicGridView.ps?myId=6999&type=true

its from the creek marina construction site taken on 10September...

Time to update to Construction Begining!

^^^
Yes, technically not but considering land reclaimation is work done on the ground and the fact that the plan is speeding at this point.

Quite interesting. What's stupid is that Google Earth updated the image of this place, but not of any other place in Karachi. What I doubt is that this was done initially for Crescent Bay. If this is how it looked in April, I am sure the work started way back sometime in 2005. I can't believe that Emaar started to reclaim land a year before actually inking the deal. Doesn't seem too plausible. Why would it waste the money when it doesn't even know for sure that it's got the contract? It seems to me that DHA had plans to reclaim the land and then Emaar got interested and maybe also added to the plans.

Now I'd ask one irrelevant question. What exactly was the land on the left reclaimed for about 10 years back? I've heard several different stories about it. Can someone please tell me? I've always been curious.

And now one totally unrelated comment. Something I just saw on Google Earth. Why the fuck is Jinnah Airport labeled "Rudra Mata"??? WTF!!! After Googling, I have surmised it's the name of at least one airport/airbase in India. But why is that label used for the Karachi Airport?

i talked to a friend of mine in khi and according to him the work on recaliming land began sometime in the end of jan or beginning of feb and the work is complete now

@ Umais: Most all that you are saying is pure speculation. I dont think Google Earth would update their imagery just for Emaar. Emaar may have bought pictures from Digital Globe however to see how the land reclaimation was going.

Also as far as the deal inking thing goes, Yes, it is very plausible that the reclaimation might have started towards the end of 2005, but then again, according to Musiddiqui it seems to have started by end of Jan.

And lastly, the Karachi airport being named Rudra Mata comes across to me as a mean trick that could have been played by an Indian employee of Google Earth. I have written to Google Earth about it though, and I would encourage everyone else who notices the error to do the same.

well DHA had planned a huge waterfront project there years back, i posted the pictures here to, there was a 5 star hotel and 6 high rise towers planned for that area.

There is definitely work going on in reclaiming the land for Emaar Crescent Bay. However, Google has only partially updated their map. The areas on land have not been updated, otherwise the Siemens’ power plant would have been visible. I'm including three pictures:

This is an old Google image with locations of various projects. You can see that the land reclamation is not visible here.
http://www.kauser.net/images/Emaar%20Crescent%20Bay%20Map.JPG
A rendering of Emaar Crescent Bay.
http://www.kauser.net/images/Emaar%20Crescent%20Bay.jpg
The new Google map. The contours of the land reclamation match the rendering.
http://www.kauser.net/images/CrescentBayLand.JPG

^^
your marking of cresent bay on google map is not even 10% accurate, you can see more land being reclaimed at the bottom plus by looking at the map it looks like reclaimation has just started which would make it hard to pridict the shape of it as the end would be completly different.

pakboy, the lines I've marked are very clearly visible in Google Earth. The outline is marked out and they will probably fill it in with sand, or they may already have done it depending on how old the map is.

Oh, and by the way. The land that seems to be visible beyond Crescent bay is land that is already above water during low tide. They will probably have to dredge it to keep it under water all the time.

I actually meant to say that it's funny that Google Earth only updated this part, not that this update had anything to do with Emaar. Just a coincidence. Also, it's just surprising that this deal was known publicly much after it was inked.

And Karachiite's outline seems pretty plausible to me. Lastly, can someone please tell me about that land reclamation?

^^ Well, like was mentioned earlier, most Karachi images are still 3-4 years old. However, some in the vicinity have been updated.

You can see the tag if you would activate showing of placemarks for airports, and other such stuff in the side bar.

Nice google updates!
Can some one just mark these places on a larger Karachi city map. Which direction these real estate project lay?

Nice google updates!
Can some one just mark these places on a larger Karachi city map. Which direction these real estate project lay?

Techno, go to Wikimapia and you'll find many of the developments marked out.

http://wikimapia.org/#y=24809798&x=67091274&z=13&l=0&m=a&v=2

It would be great if people from this forum would mark the sites for all those projects that are not already marked.

It would be really messy!

I know Techno did it partially for Islamabad and posted on UPK a while back.

i am going to pakistan in dec but only for a week will try my best to get updates

i am also going in dec :)

btw. i have tried to mark all the places on wiki on Lahore,

Will you guys be going to Karachi or just Lahore?

ill b goin to khi

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/7895/karachicrescentbayconstbq2.jpg

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/7640/karachicrescentbayconstje9.jpg

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/9773/karachicrescentbayconstgg8.jpg

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/4750/karachicrescentbayconsthl5.jpg

whats that huge building in the background of the last picture?

seems to be the site office

Had gone to Creek Inn recently and one of the guys said the devils point road is now amazing, so went past Creek Vistas and we got lost and came to the Crescent Bay site. It was 1am at night and the construction is going at an amazing pace. I havent seen this much heavy machinery in one place in Karachi....oh and there is also a tented city over there as well.

unfortunately couldnt take any pictures. Was really amazed that things were moving at that time in the night.

^^that tent city is for the desalination plant being constructed right next to cresent bay. right now they are only leveling the ground and constructing that building that seems to be the site office which according to my friend looks like a mosque from the front.

I passed by Crescent Bay today and seems like they are almost finished working on a site office there. Looks great and has mughal arches. I will try to get some pictures soon.

The DHA Desalination and cogeneration plant nearby also looks almost done and is massive. These projects seem to be going well.

have they opened the underconstruction road in front of the site office. it was closed when i was in khi so wasnt able to take pictures of the site office

theres a dirt road if u want to risk your car, however the site office looks huge and is easily visible from the other road.

dont know about any dirt road i was made to make a u-turn by the construction workers

Hello SSCers, this is Swerveut the SUPER UPDATE MAN!

went to the site today and got some photos, theres a huge signboard up by the site office that they just constructed, but its empty... seems like official launch is coming very soon.

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/1250/crescentbay2wj.jpg

http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/543/crescentbay13gy.jpg

http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/9383/crescentbay29bn.jpg

The whole camp of Emaar's heavy machinery on site (actually theres more in other places):

http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/3452/crescentbay30el.jpg

Great updates... Thanks swerv....

Great!

good pictures nothing has chenged since the time i was in khi except the road from which u took the pic it was under construction when i was there

Some pictures of the land reclaimation going on (taken on Sunday)

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/9440/update4003mx3.jpg

http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/2439/update4004jp7.jpg

nice pics sver

Nice pix man!
Keep updating us!!

Just a question. Is it wise to be investing soo much money on housing projects so near to the sea (literally in the sea actually) at this time when scientists fear the rise of sealevels due to global warming??

Just a question. Is it wise to be investing soo much money on housing projects so near to the sea (literally in the sea actually) at this time when scientists fear the rise of sealevels due to global warming??

Well in that case, are the palms in Dubai a wise investment?

nice pictures swer thax for sharing

i counted the floors of one of the buildings in the front i think it will be 35 to 40 stories

Hello SSCers, this is Swerveut the SUPER UPDATE MAN!

went to the site today and got some photos, theres a huge signboard up by the site


cool update, this "signboard" probably a movie screen for mega demonstration of this huge project?

Thanks for the appreciation guys,

@ Himali: dunno, well there are HUGE signboards all over Karachi so I suspect this might just be a signboard as well and not much else thats too special.

Just a question. Is it wise to be investing so much money on housing projects so near to the sea (literally in the sea actually) at this time when scientists fear the rise of sea levels due to global warming??

Red aRRow, I think that you're asking a valid question. I think that the more serious potential problem is not so much the danger of sea level rise as the risk of a major storm hitting Karachi.

If the sea level rises then it will be doing so at a gradual rate so there will be lots of time to build sea walls and other defenses. As you may know, a major part of Holland is already under sea level and they get by with a network of sea walls. A gradually rising sea will give us all the time in the world to guard against it.

However, in my mind the greater danger is a large storm hitting Karachi directly. It hasn't happened yet this century but every five or six years there's a near miss. Dubai, by contrast is not exposed to the Indian Ocean while Karachi is.

A few years ago a storm heading towards Karachi hit on the east and thousands of villagers were supposed to have gone missing whom no one particularly cared about. A few years before that, a storm turned away from Karachi and hit Indian Gujarat and devastated it. During Zia's time I remember being told that Rajiv Gandhi warned Zia and there was a panic in DHA with thousands of people running away but the storm never came. So we've been lucky so far...or protected by God.

However, if a tsunami does hit Karachi head on, then being on one of the new developments won't necessarily be worse than being anywhere in Phase 8 of DHA or anywhere else near the beach. The whole of DHA will be flooded. However, if you're in one of the new high-rise buildings then you'll be better off than others. The tsunami sea surge is usually not more then 10-15 feet high, so even going on the roof of a 2-story house will save you...and saying some good prayers.

But the same can be said about a very high percentage of the world's population. So I won't let this fear stop me from going ahead with the projects. Remember, you can run away from a tsunami and die in an earthquake...so you can run but you can't hide for ever.

Emaar's boards are up now. Besides this, nothing much new to report.

http://img480.imageshack.us/img480/1008/updt6006oa3.jpg

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/980/updt6007uz2.jpg

http://img480.imageshack.us/img480/1783/updt6008hx7.jpg

they have been constructing that building for ages now

I think now its more about finishing the land reclaimation and prepping the site for further construction. I see a launch coming soon as well since the Emaar signs are prominent now.

There is definitely work going on in reclaiming the land for Emaar Crescent Bay. However, Google has only partially updated their map. The areas on land have not been updated, otherwise the Siemens’ power plant would have been visible. I'm including three pictures:

This is an old Google image with locations of various projects. You can see that the land reclamation is not visible here.
http://www.kauser.net/images/Emaar%20Crescent%20Bay%20Map.JPG
A rendering of Emaar Crescent Bay.
http://www.kauser.net/images/Emaar%20Crescent%20Bay.jpg
The new Google map. The contours of the land reclamation match the rendering.
http://www.kauser.net/images/CrescentBayLand.JPG


e-planet ????????????????

Road to Crescent bay
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i303/moazzam_/06-05-07_1646.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i303/moazzam_/06-05-07_1643.jpg

Siemens power plant
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i303/moazzam_/06-05-07_1648.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i303/moazzam_/06-05-07_1647.jpg

e-planet ????????????????

The ePlanet project has apparently been cancelled.

Great pictures moazzam. Anyone know when the sales will start for Emaar Crescent Bay?

ePlanet's also a call centre in Fortune Centre!

Some more pictures. Enjoy and keep the spirit of Karachi alive.

some cranework going on on this site here
http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/2352/khiupdt013uq6.jpg

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/3920/khiupdt014xm1.jpg

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/9061/khiupdt015ln3.jpg

DHA-Siemens desalination, cogeneration plant
http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/6051/khiupdt016cf5.jpg

great shots swerveut

we see some updates after a long time...kuddos to swerveut

good work

I need to examine Karachi by Google Earth more closely, and look at some city maps, but is the Crescent Bay project really as isolated as it appears?

Regarding the design, I agree it's kinda standardized, but it still looks good and there's good spacing/landscaping with unblocked views.

Reminds me of Dubai Marina which also has a power plant nearby to the south :)

Hi

Have these gone on sale yet?

Regards

Nads :)

From last week (lots of big machines):

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/9412/emaarxr1.jpg

Despite the recent storm I would still buy an apartment in Crescent Bay. Being built by Emaar it will have no problem surviving storms that only happen rarely.

Being on the edge of the city the air quality will be pollution-free, and it will be the best designed and built project in the city. It would make a great pied-à-terre - a place for expatriates to keep for when they visit the city.

I'm still waiting eagerly for sales to start.

Residential Towers
http://www.emaar.com/Images/1_tcm3-6614.jpg

Commercial Towers
http://www.emaar.com/Images/2_tcm3-6615.jpg

Hotel
http://www.emaar.com/Images/3_tcm3-6616.jpg

Nice ones.

I wish they go for more glass and less concrete though.

Oh yes, yes. This is my future home in Karachi, inshallah. :banana: :banana: :banana:

I'm so excited, I can barely sit still. When do sales start?

Oh yes, yes. This is my future home in Karachi, inshallah. :banana: :banana: :banana:

I'm so excited, I can barely sit still. When do sales start?
2 homes in Isb, home in Khi. Babaji, kitne ghar chahiay?

Anyway, looks great. Just wish they have more buildings and a few tall ones too. But I'm not complaining!

2 homes in Isb, home in Khi. Babaji, kitne ghar chahiay?


As many homes as there are wives. :colgate:

As many homes as there are wives. :colgate:
Thou shalt not espouse multiple women!

As many homes as there are wives. :colgate:
Keep dreaming dada ji!:lol:

Nice update Sikandar

Upcoming Hotels in Karachi

Hotel at Crescent Bay
Qatar city center (7* hotel)
KPT tower complex
Hotel at Hawks Bay
Sofitel
Grand Mercure
Avari extension
Carlton extension

^^ Awesome Renders

When will construction be complete?

This project looks much bigger than I had initially thought

Upcoming Hotels in Karachi

Hotel at Crescent Bay
Qatar city center (7* hotel)
KPT tower complex
Hotel at Hawks Bay
Sofitel
Grand Mercure
Avari extension
Carlton extension


There is another 5 star hotel and resort coming at MANORA ISLAND:cheers:

also The Pearl Karachi ... aother hotel.

what will be the name of hotel at Crescent Bay ?

i think the mercure hotel is alredy built i saw some pics of it!

^^Yup, Grand Mercure is already open

Have the finished reclaiming land or is that still occurring?

Have the finished reclaiming land or is that still occurring?
I believe they've finished reclaiming the land judging from the Google Earth pics, coz they are more than a year old.

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/6079/karachicrescentbayconsttp7.jpg

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/6006/karachicrescentbayconstjs7.jpg

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/5774/karachicrescentbayconstmo2.jpg

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/5531/karachicrescentbayconsthu0.jpg

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/4290/karachicrescentbayconstun5.jpg

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/629/karachicrescentbayconstmi8.jpg

^^ ^^

Good work Musiddique! :banana: :banana:

Bravo!

You're the man musiddiqui. :applause:

Emaar to invest $2.4 billion in new project

Staff Report

KARACHI: Emaar Pakistan will invest $2.4 billion in their new real estate project “Crescent Bay”, located within Karachi’s DHA Phase VIII and in close proximity to the DHA golf course. The project will be completed in seven years, said Mohammed Al Falasi, Managing Director of Emaar Pakistan today at the inaugural ceremony of 3rd Property Asia 2007. Mr Falasi said that their goal is to create a series of exciting developments that set new standards for commercial and residential property.

“Crescent Bay will set new standards and we have planned for other cities in Pakistan also, which we will be developing over the next few years,” he said.
The master planners have brought inspiration from the world’s best-designed residential communities to Pakistan, offering another Emaar signature landmark to the region, he added.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007%5C08%5C29%5Cstory_29-8-2007_pg5_7

^^7 Years. hmmmm I bet Mustafa Kamal can finish it in 1 with the help of Mehran Builders. :lol: :lol: ( ok ok just a joke )

^^7 Years. hmmmm I bet Mustafa Kamal can finish it in 1 with the help of Mehran Builders. :lol: :lol: ( ok ok just a joke )

Exactly, it must take maximum 4 yrs, 7 is too much
How can they develop an Island 10-20 times bigger than this project in 15 yrs

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa99/rexervoirdog/DSC00263.jpg
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa99/rexervoirdog/DSC00264.jpg
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa99/rexervoirdog/DSC00265.jpg
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa99/rexervoirdog/DSC00266.jpg

That's 44 towers, this alone would give some decent pictures to take of when they're done.

@red arrow

The work has started a long time back, maybe even more than a year or so (the reclamation pics have been on Google Earth for ages, so work back from that). So I think that that period is included in these 7 years. I guess there'd be a few buildings becoming habitable in about 3-4 years time.

there seem to be alot more tall buildings than shown in the renders

I hope they will make all the buildings great. They are trying to fill the space, they's better not come up with stupid buildings like the ones in Creek city.

Simply Amazing :eek:

And good work Umais (for the first time? :dunno:)

@ Umais

You finally took pictures for once!

pretty tacky looking buildings. Plus how are they going to serve 44 skyscrapers with just 2 two-lane roads.

@musiddiqi

I have no clue what you meant, could you please rephrase.

@kbboy

Yeah, it looked nice. I didn't know there were 44 towers!

@trapped

I couldn't help!

@tranny

Man, please refer to post 84. If you think that's tacky, then OK they are (in your opinion), coz these mockups are not representative so don't base your opinion on these. Actually they are brightly lit from the inside and they look all blue. The real thing won't as you can see from the aforementioned post.

And that road thing also caused a concern for me. I couldn't take a photo from the above, but there are even narrower streets, about 3 or 4 of them besides these buildings. About 1 street caters to 10 or so buildings. And in total they have 2 roads for the whole thing and are just 2 lanes wide. Moreover, the roads in Phase VIII are really narrow as I've mentioned a few times in other threads. They are making two poor attempts at main roads there, but they're useless. So yeah, these places don't have good access.

BTW, in the second pic, look at the Southernmost tower (second from the left), doesn't it look exactly like the Jumeirah Hotel in Islamabad (except that it's not golden) or is it just me?

And by second I mean third.

@tranny

Man, please refer to post 84. If you think that's tacky, then OK they are (in your opinion), coz these mockups are not representative so don't base your opinion on these. Actually they are brightly lit from the inside and they look all blue. The real thing won't as you can see from the aforementioned post.


I guess I shouldnt have called it tacky, un-immaginative might have been the right word. I hope I a wrong, but all these buildings seem rather bland - none of the buildings catch your eye, especially considering the $2.5bil price tag. Still, its still a huge step forward for Karachi.

This is the best thing to ever happen to Karachi. Finally an large-scale international quality project.

7 years is quite fast. Since it takes 3 years to complete each phase, once they start selling the first people will move in in 3 years and the last people who buy 4 years from now will move in in 7 years.

So they expect to sell the whole thing in 4 years, quite a reasonable expectation.

I'm going to line up to buy.

I guess I shouldnt have called it tacky, un-immaginative might have been the right word. I hope I a wrong, but all these buildings seem rather bland - none of the buildings catch your eye, especially considering the $2.5bil price tag. Still, its still a huge step forward for Karachi.
Most of the stuff even in Dubai is either tacky (in the usual sense) or bland. Look at all those scores of yellow/brown buildings in the Palm and Marina threads. So I think it's just a UAE thing, they just chose the yellow/brown buildings for Pakistan. But otherwise it's a huge step for Pakistan. Hopefully their next ventures would be much better.

One interesting thing - Karachi Emaar is in partnership with GIGA.

BTW, who thinks that Phase VIII and probably Bundal Island would be "THE" skyline of Pakistan in 10-15 years? If only the do soemthing about the goddamn roads. This is a big project. THen you have Creek City. I guess Marina and the news ones would be better. That's about 70-80 buildings in total. Now we need about 10-15 highrises (225m+) and about 3-4 supertalls in this area and it'd be amazing.

Yaar Umais chiknaut....first time koyee dhang ka kaam kiya hai tum nain. Thanks for the pics. :)

Yaar Umais chiknaut....first time koyee dhang ka kaam kiya hai tum nain. Thanks for the pics. :)

:colgate:

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa99/rexervoirdog/DSC00264.jpg

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa99/rexervoirdog/DSC00265.jpg

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa99/rexervoirdog/DSC00266.jpg



Amazing

Look at the uncle with the glasses, why's he in such a deep thought?

:nuts:

sighs

Look at the uncle with the glasses, why's he in such a deep thought?

:nuts:

:lol:

Buy ... Dont Buy ... :ohno:
Buy ... Dont Buy ... :ohno:
Buy ... Dont Buy ... :ohno:
Buy ... Dont Buy ... :ohno:

50 / 50

I think hes wondering which one has the best view!, to be honest, I shouldn't be going after the confused uncle, I was feeling the same way when I saw the prices for Creek Marina :nuts:

I like this project. Probably the coolest project in Pakistan. Thanks for the pictures. I also like the thoughtful uncle :)

I guess once this goes on sale, the prices of Creek City are gonna come crumbling down.

but it will take more than 7yrs to complete & i don't think all the towers will be built

but it will take more than 7yrs to complete

The first building will probably be completed in three years, and the last building in seven. If you buy now you will move into your apartment in 2-3 years.

yup, cool project but SUPER TACKY buildings. None of them have decent architecture or any character. I hope they do go ahead witht the project but end up redesigning all the buildings.

^^^ :angel1: Alive???? or its your Ghost.... :uh: :eek2: :runaway:

Oyeee yaar swerveUT kidhar ghayib hai yaar?? you moved back to Pak or what??

Oyeee yaar swerveUT kidhar ghayib hai yaar?? you moved back to Pak or what??
He's getting trained by the Lal Masjid crew.

Oyeee yaar swerveUT kidhar ghayib hai yaar?? you moved back to Pak or what??

He is working in Karachi, his office is located at MT Khan road

He is working in Karachi, his office is located at MT Khan road

:applause: Congrats on getting job, is it some oil company?

yeah, sorry to spring in and out of this world guys. Yeah I did get a job fortunately, its with an oil company as well, but now my life is wayyyy too busy most of the time to be reviewing stuff online as much. I hope all of you are doing good. Yeah, dont forget me completely cause I might pop in every once in a while.

Niceee... are they really building it or its just another project which will end up like many other which dont have any fate.. any development started yet???

Niceee... are they really building it or its just another project which will end up like many other which dont have any fate.. any development started yet???
Yes, it's been underdev. for > 1 year.

nice... this is going to be one very good project for karachi beach front...

Salam Guyz.Found this while surfing. Reclaimation is definately complete as seen in this satellite image.

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/9025/crescentbaysat1copyxr4.jpg

were you get that picture from,

Doesnt look like Google Earth, or maybe it is?

WOW < They really are moving at a quick pace

looks like its been taking from google earth and photoshoped.

The image is from Digital Globe's Catalogue of sat images .yeah i Photoshoped it to highlight the reclaimation.

Here's the original

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/3936/crescentbaysathk3.jpg

can you zoom into it and get pictures of lahore is well

Which areas of lahore r u interested in .I can try

can you zoom into it and get pictures of lahore is well

Y dont u do it yourself, http://imageatlas.globexplorer.com

It is latest than Google Earth, Beach park & Bin Qasim park are also visible

it doesnt let me zoom in.
and on lahore it says imagry is off 1999

Which areas of lahore r u interested in .I can try

DHA, airport area and bahria town

http://img378.imageshack.us/img378/7489/crescent1oa1.png

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/9717/crescent2zf5.png

link to Emaar Pakistan website: http://www.emaar.com/pakistan

it doesnt let me zoom in.
and on lahore it says imagry is off 1999

http://imageatlas.globexplorer.com/ImageAtlas/view.do?group=digitalglobe&lat=39.5276&lon=-97.142&zoom_level=1

Yes, u are right, Now try from this link (it will allow you to zoom in + it is latest than Google Earth (2005)

Great pics of this project coming forward now. But I think they have a lot more refining to do.

A pic from Emaar header:
http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/1061/cstbaytx3.jpg

this is a very cool project.. would love to see such development on the beaches of karachi..!! something like dubai.... N I C E

A close up of the reclaimation.The sales centre as well as sign boards are visible.
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/6839/crescentreclaimationchays6.jpg

:yes:

EMAAR SALES CENTRE AT CLOSE UP.
http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/3070/emaarsalecentretq2.jpg

cartographer5 is working for Emaar :)

the saterlite picture says 2006, so construction must have started way before it was announced

There are a few cranes and similar machinery there these days. But you can hardly see much work going on.

:) I dont work for emaar man... but i have been following their projects since the company started of in dubai..
The reason for the few equipment on site I beileve is that there still in the ground improvement works...ie they drill into the freshly reclaimed earth to harden it for construction to start..
once the sale of towers open....contractors will be hired....and voila this piece of earth would be one hell of a construction site...
Lets wait and see..

:) I dont work for emaar man... but i have been following their projects since the company started of in dubai..
The reason for the few equipment on site I beileve is that there still in the ground improvement works...ie they drill into the freshly reclaimed earth to harden it for construction to start..
once the sale of towers open....contractors will be hired....and voila this piece of earth would be one hell of a construction site...
Lets wait and see..

it sure is going to be one pretty picture.. watching such a great project being developed.. how long do you think it will take to get some shape out of these islands..??? 10 - 15 yrs...???

7years was stated as the time to complete the project by emaar......and 7 years is the time i vouch for....as long as emaar stear clear of the local politics ...which im sure they will..

Old Renderings
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/5579/619emaartransportchunkogx3.jpg

New Renderings
*In the new renderings they had converted all the Low rise buildings to Highrise buildings

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/1061/cstbaytx3.jpg

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa99/rexervoirdog/DSC00264.jpg

They are just gaining height with time, duh!

I wonder if the authorities did any study of ocean storms around the karachi area, unlike Dubai, karachi does have a history of storm warnings and i think it is not a wise decision to go for such high rise buildings around that area.

Cheers
Shahid

^^ thats really dangerous

as most of the people says that KHI is below sea level

^ I'm sure they thought of this. They're not morons.

And for their Dubai developments, they have taken strong storms into concern, so I'm sure they did the same for this. From the model abover, the base of these buildings seems pretty high above the ocean.

^^plus karachi is not below sea level.

Well I can only say to you guys look what happened during Katrina to the properties around water front. People are primarily driven by emotion of which fear is the most powerful emotion of em all.

What about global warning ? Is it a present danger or like 100 years from now? I guess to you all, it is just simply creative environmentalism.

But then people tend to forget a lot. I have an apartment in Islambad park towers in F10. When the 2005 earthquake happened the price of 3 bed flat dropped from then 1 crore 10 lacs down to 70 lacs. But guess what after 2 years it is now selling at 1 crore 30 lacs.

The sea around dubai is not as threatneing as around karachi, it is sort of a canal and people who lived in dubai knows what i am talking about, I have never seen high tides near dubai cornishe.

Cheers