^^ Please, not here!!! :bash: This is about Infinity!

General qn - is RSS enabled on these forums so we can get updates and posts via an RSS client? If so what is the url.

Thanks

hi everyone. this is my first post. have found the whole infinity thread very interesting and helpful. i purchased a 1 bed in november 05 and was pleased to read the thoughts of some fellower buyers. a thread like this does keep everyone up to date esp. those who dont live in dxb. heres to a very successful project!!!!

heres to a very successful project!!!!

infinity or ssc?? :lol:

krazy,
got a 1 bed in the infinity on the 31st

sorry, krazy. i misunderstood. i hoped infinity would be a good project but ssc is undoubtly a good forum.

congrats on your purchase... a good choice i must say!

^^ Did you just congratulate an "investor" Krazy? Well blow me down. :hammer:

Why don't you just shut up if you've nothing useful to say? Go get a life outside this forum.

^^ oooo bit harsh there dude

Why don't you just shut up if you've nothing useful to say? Go get a life outside this forum. :cough: PMT? :cough:

:lol: :lol: :rofl: Damn you, i nearly spilt my tea again on my laptop! Ouch...stitch.....

some characters about, it seems...

good luck future architect, zeeshanny! keep the faith!

cheers, krazy. i hope so.

naz uk, i know a guy who was quite high up damac, who also doesn't have a nice thing to say about damac. he is with better homes now. the story he tells is of a co.. that might struggle in the future dubai.

sorry, meant high up WITH damac.

You can edit your post you know by clicking the edit button

Hi

Does anyone here have a launch price list for Infinity Tower?

Thanks!

I don't have a Launch Price list but, the prices for 1 bedroom Apartments at Launch was 981000 for any floor upto the 20th Floor.

Thats the only info i have.

Apartments 06 and 07 on floors 25-27 were 1052400 AED and on floor 29 were 1134000 AED

Thanks guys, I managed to find a few prices for 06/07 but nothing on the 04 1 bedrooms. If anyone else has any 1 bed prices would be appreciated.

It looks like prices are already up by 10%, I see 2906 is being resold for 1270080 AED

Copy of master pricelist 1st release
Current at November 2005, Unlisted apartments had been sold prior to this release.

Level 7 701 2 Bed Type 1 141.9 1,527 Prime Sea View 1,731,600.00
Level 7 702 2 Bed Type 2 123.2 1,326 Marina View 1,374,600.00
Level 7 703 2 Bed Type 3 141.9 1,527 Marina View 1,578,600.00

Level 8 801 2 Bed Type 1 141.9 1,527 Prime Sea View 1,731,600.00
Level 8 802 2 Bed Type 2 123.2 1,326 Marina View 1,374,600.00
Level 8 803 2 Bed Type 3 141.9 1,527 Marina View 1,578,600.00

Level 9 901 2 Bed Type 1 141.9 1,527 Prime Sea View 1,731,600.00
Level 9 902 2 Bed Type 2 123.2 1,326 Marina View 1,374,600.00
Level 9 903 2 Bed Type 3 141.9 1,527 Marina View 1,578,600.00

Level 11 1101 2 Bed Type 1 141.9 1,527 Prime Sea View 1,731,600.00
Level 11 1102 2 Bed Type 2 123.2 1,326 Marina View 1,374,600.00

Level 12 1201 2 Bed Type 1 141.9 1,527 Prime Sea View 1,813,200.00
Level 12 1202 2 Bed Type 2 123.2 1,326 Marina View 1,446,000.00
Level 12 1203 2 Bed Type 3 141.9 1,527 Marina View 1,660,200.00

Level 13 1301 2 Bed Type 1 141.9 1,527 Prime Sea View 1,813,200.00
Level 13 1302 2 Bed Type 2 123.2 1,326 Marina View 1,446,000.00
Level 13 1303 2 Bed Type 3 141.9 1,527 Marina View 1,660,200.00

Level 15 1501 2 Bed Type 1 141.9 1,527 Prime Sea View 1,813,200.00
Level 15 1502 2 Bed Type 2 123.2 1,326 Marina View 1,446,000.00
Level 15 1503 2 Bed Type 3 141.9 1,527 Marina View 1,660,200.00

Level 18 1801 2 Bed Type 1 141.9 1,527 Prime Sea View 1,894,800.00
Level 18 1802 2 Bed Type 2 123.2 1,326 Marina View 1,507,200.00
Level 18 1803 2 Bed Type 3 141.9 1,527 Marina View 1,731,600.00

Level 19 1901 2 Bed Type 1 141.9 1,527 Prime Sea View 1,894,800.00
Level 19 1902 2 Bed Type 2 123.2 1,326 Marina View 1,507,200.00
Level 19 1903 2 Bed Type 3 141.9 1,527 Marina View 1,731,600.00
Level 19 1904 1 Bed Type 1 83.7 901 Prime Marina View 1,072,800.00

Level 20 2001 2 Bed Type 1 141.9 1,527 Prime Sea View 1,894,800.00
Level 20 2002 2 Bed Type 2 123.2 1,326 Marina View 1,507,200.00
Level 20 2003 2 Bed Type 3 141.9 1,527 Marina View 1,731,600.00

Level 21 2101 2 Bed Type 1 141.9 1,527 Prime Sea View 1,894,800.00
Level 21 2102 2 Bed Type 2 123.2 1,326 Marina View 1,507,200.00
Level 21 2103 2 Bed Type 3 141.9 1,527 Marina View 1,731,600.00

Level 23 2301 2 Bed Type 1 141.9 1,527 Prime Sea View 1,894,800.00
Level 23 2302 2 Bed Type 2 123.2 1,326 Marina View 1,650,000.00
Level 23 2303 2 Bed Type 3 141.9 1,527 Marina View 1,894,800.00

Level 24 2401 2 Bed Type 1 141.9 1,527 Prime Sea View 1,894,800.00
Level 24 2402 2 Bed Type 2 123.2 1,326 Marina View 1,650,000.00
Level 24 2403 2 Bed Type 3 141.9 1,527 Marina View 1,894,800.00

Level 25 2501 2 Bed Type 1 141.9 1,527 Prime Sea View 1,894,800.00
Level 25 2502 2 Bed Type 2 123.2 1,326 Marina View 1,650,000.00
Level 25 2503 2 Bed Type 3 141.9 1,527 Marina View 1,894,800.00

Level 27 2702 2 Bed Type 2 123.2 1,326 Marina View 1,650,000.00
Level 27 2703 2 Bed Type 3 141.9 1,527 Marina View 1,894,800.00

Level 29 2901 2 Bed Type 1 141.9 1,527 Prime Sea View 1,966,200.00
Level 29 2902 2 Bed Type 2 123.2 1,326 Marina View 1,782,600.00
Level 29 2903 2 Bed Type 3 141.9 1,527 Marina View 2,047,800.00
Level 29 2904 1 Bed Type 1 83.7 901 Prime Marina View 1,215,600.00
Level 29 2906 1 Bed Type 2 72.9 784 Prime Marina View 1,134,000.00

Level 30 3001 2 Bed Type 1 141.9 1,527 Prime Sea View 1,966,200.00
Level 30 3002 2 Bed Type 2 123.2 1,326 Marina View 1,782,600.00
Level 30 3003 2 Bed Type 3 141.9 1,527 Marina View 2,047,800.00
Level 30 3004 1 Bed Type 1 83.7 901 Prime Marina View 1,215,600.00
Level 30 3006 1 Bed Type 2 72.9 784 Prime Marina View 1,134,000.00

Level 31 3101 2 Bed Type 1 141.9 1,527 Prime Sea View 1,966,200.00
Level 31 3102 2 Bed Type 2 123.2 1,326 Marina View 1,782,600.00
Level 31 3103 2 Bed Type 3 141.9 1,527 Marina View 2,047,800.00
Level 31 3104 1 Bed Type 1 83.7 901 Prime Marina View 1,215,600.00

Level 32 3202 2 Bed Type 2 123.2 1,326 Marina View 1,782,600.00
Level 32 3203 2 Bed Type 3 141.9 1,527 Marina View 2,047,800.00
Level 32 3204 1 Bed Type 1 83.7 901 Prime Marina View 1,215,600.00
Level 33 3302 2 Bed Type 2 123.2 1,326 Marina View 1,782,600.00

Thanks Trueblue, this & the prices I have will give me a much better idea of what we should be paying for a 1 bed...cheers

P.S. Anyone know what the prices were between 34-42 for 1 beds??

Thanks!

Construction has begun on Dubai's 75-story Infinity Tower. The building's unique form "responds to its site and its climate," said the tower's architect, Ross Wimer of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. (PRNewsFoto/Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, Victor Gane)

CHICAGO, IL UNITED STATES 05/15/2006

http://www.newscom.com/db/PRN/prnphotos/docs/054/115.thm

CHICAGO, May 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Construction has started on an Arabian
Gulf high rise that was designed with a twist -- the tower's profile
rotates 90 degrees as it rises -- the Chicago office of Skidmore Owings &
Merrill LLP announced today.

Infinity Tower is being built in the Dubai Marina, located in Dubai,
one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates. The 75-story built
for Cayan Investment & Development will have 456 units, ranging from
studios to full-floor penthouses. Other amenities in the 303-meter tower
include an outdoor pool, a health spa with treatment rooms, an exercise
facility, conference centers, lounges, and a child care center. Retail
shops and an arcade will be positioned at street level.
"The building is so visually unique, it will become synonymous with the
marina and maybe even with Dubai itself," said SOM Managing Partner George
J. Efstathiou, who is in charge of the project. "It is great to work with
Cayan's chairman, Ahmed Al Hatti. He has great vision."
The building's most distinctive physical feature will be its twisting,
helix shape. Infinity Tower gradually rotates 90 degrees, yet maintains a
consistent floor plate throughout its height. This winding shape allows the
tower to provide excellent views for all its residents while preserving
waterfront vistas for residents of neighboring buildings.
"The dancing form of the tower responds to its site and its articulated
surface responds to the climate," said SOM Design Partner Ross Wimer, the
building's architect. "The architecture is derived from the interaction of
natural forces."
The structural system for the tower will be a cast-in-place, high
strength, reinforced concrete column superstructure that steps by one
degree at each floor, creating the building's unique shape. The central
core is a cylindrical concrete form that provides the spine for the
building. The tower's unique structure was analyzed using a
state-of-the-art parametric computer model.
Construction is expected to be completed in December 2009.
Founded in 1936, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP is one of the world's
leading architecture, urban design, engineering, and interior architecture
firms. SOM has designed many of the world's major buildings, including the
Sears Tower and John Hancock Center in Chicago; and Jin Mao Tower in
Shanghai. SOM maintains offices in Chicago, New York, San Francisco,
Washington DC, London, and Shanghai.

303 meter tower???????

Not sure on some of the facts in that news story the height and also the completion date is wrong unless they know something we don't but completion date in contract is Dec 2008 not 2009

^^ which is nothing new.

even though end 2008 will be quite difficult to acchieve.

still, the 303m could be a typo.

...... what are the penalties to the developer for 2009 completion? I remember reading somewhere that EMAAR would penalise developers for completion beyond 2008??

^^ no way.

there have been new towers announced with completion date end 2009 or 2010 (marina 101) without any delay.

there was a rumour developers of the smaller projects are fined if they don't finish before end 2008 though.

^^ no way.

there was a rumour developers of the smaller projects are fined if they don't finish before end 2008 though.

Ah OK, they were probably refering to smaller projects...

Anyway i never expected Dec 2008 finish as i'd prefer them to take there time on interiors but so i was thinking Q1 of 2009 or the latest Q2 and i still think that should be right.

Well as buzz lightyear would say to Infinity and Beyond

^^ Don't go too far beyond or you'll end up in the water! :jk:

Princess will also complete in 2009 and no doubt a few others. I think I would be very surprised if the entire Marina was completed, done and dusted before 2010 realistically. That's when we can all sit down and look at the finished project knowing no further towers will be announced and finally the digging will stop and the cranes will disappear! Sounds like a dream!

Folks...did anyone sign up for this offer with Cayan/Amlak:
30% deposit, 70% finance with no payments until construction completed? Is it a good offer, thoughts anyone?

I have spoken to Amlak and can confirm that construction 'profit' = interest on payments made by Amlak to Cayan during construction.
Basically Amlak pay Cayan on the same schedule (15% every 6 months until completion), and this is what you pay additional interest on (fair enough). However, not sure if this is payable on completion or can be rolled onto the amount outstanding.

Please PM me if this is off topic. Thanks!

can't wait to see this 1 .... the best twisetd tower in the world :D

It is gorgeous, without a doubt! And i'll get to see it from my bedroom window every night! Na na! :D

Naz -
Infinity, Damac OH2, Crown, Reve, OH.... You won't know which way to look?
Oh, and when you get bored, you will have the sea to look at.
Wow!

^^ haha wat would u choose naz...ur girlfriend/wife or the views?

http://www.baidas.net/public/images/inf01.jpg

Surreal!! :eek:

or real!!!

Strange how they've opted for the Manchester weather background - unless they intended to show Infinity Tower - early evening during a power cut.

Guess it makes a change from the usual flawless blue sky.

amazing rendering.
it really twists 360degrees.

^^ Flo it twist just 90degree. Where you see the 360?

After a few :cheers: all 5 of 'em twist 720 degrees! :cheers:

^^ Flo it twist just 90degree. Where you see the 360?

in my destroyed mind.
i am really destroyed , it was a bad day today. :bash:

Wow!

Great render ......can you guys see me looking out of my appartment :)

We were in the marina last week end from london. Does anyone know what they will do between the sea and infinity. Someone at the GH hotel said that they were going to extend the sailing club to make it one of the best in the world. At the moment it is really just car parks , no shops, restuarants, etc etc. Any thoughts

^^ i wont be surprised if the did do that!! they got quite a few worlds best in construction so why not

We were in the marina last week end from london. Does anyone know what they will do between the sea and infinity. Someone at the GH hotel said that they were going to extend the sailing club to make it one of the best in the world. At the moment it is really just car parks , no shops, restuarants, etc etc. Any thoughts

According to the map - the sailing club is on the other side of infinity ?

http://dubaiproperty.ru/pic/dubai_marina/plot_9hh_9rr/9rr_9hh.jpg

what about that plot 10D then? isn't that a spare plot, a tower could fit there

amazing render guys!!


:D

what about that plot 10D then? isn't that a spare plot, a tower could fit there
To be honest that wouldn't surprise me at all.

^^ Maybe that tall black alien design from Boston, also called Infinity.

funny thing is this is the only district 10 plot in the marina :rofl:

aren't supertalls in District 10 then?

We were in the marina last week end from london. Does anyone know what they will do between the sea and infinity. Someone at the GH hotel said that they were going to extend the sailing club to make it one of the best in the world. At the moment it is really just car parks , no shops, restuarants, etc etc. Any thoughts

We didn't mean the sailing club as per the map. We meant the dimc-uae which is the dubai marine club and on the other side right where the heli pad is. HH Sheikh Ahmed is the chairman and we understand he wants to expand. Apparently he really wants to keep the old traditions and as we understand it he wants to make the dimc the best etc etc. That would stop a supertall he wouldn't want that blocking the sun for his boats and dhows.

28/5/06
http://i2.tinypic.com/11hxstu.jpg

good to see there is lots going on on the site :)

wow great update... thedubailife will be very happy ;)

glad to see the site so busy... now let's hope they can get the ground work done quickly.. hopefully by end of the year?

Great Update toofif, yeah your right krazy, i'm happy now, it's good to see some progress

For those interested, I spoke with the developer over the w/e and there has been a 2-3 month delay on the piling, they expect completion Q2 2009 onwards.

^^ Well not really a suprise to me as long as there work is of high quality i don't mind the delay.

Although it would be better if all future payments were to be deferred by those 3 months so instead of Nov 2006 the next payment should be Feb 2007 etc.

Anyway i have full confidence in this developer they signed a 1 Billion Saudi Riyalh deal recently. And the work on the site seams to be progressing.

Thanks for the Info Limey

When does piling start?? :hm:

^^ Well not really a suprise to me as long as there work is of high quality i don't mind the delay.



I agree, I'd sooner ...hopefully they won't cut any corners when it comes to the internal fittings etc.. I'm sure they won't as this will be a landmark building in the Marina..

SOM to Add a Twist to the Dubai Skyline


June 8, 2006


http://archrecord.construction.com/news/images/060608som.jpg
Courtesy Skidmore Owings and Merrill


Skidmore, Owings & Merrill has started construction on a 75-story helix-shaped tower in the Dubai Marina, one of the wealthy Emirate’s prime residential neighborhoods.

The “dancing” skyscraper, to be named Infinity Tower, will rotate 90 degrees as it rises while maintaining a constant floor-plate throughout its height. SOM Managing Partner George Efstathiou, AIA, predicts that the tower’s winding shape will make it the marina’s principal landmark, and perhaps a symbol of Dubai itself. According to Efstathiou, the building will offer its residents views of the waterfront without disrupting the vistas of neighboring buildings.

The 995-foot-high tower will comprise 456 residential units, ranging from studios to full-floor penthouses. It will include a street-level shopping arcade, conference centers, lounges, a child-care center, a health spa, exercise facilities, and an outdoor pool.

The structure will be constructed of cast-in-place high-strength concrete columns stepped one degree per floor in order to create the distinctive helix shape. The tower’s architect, design partner Ross Wimer, AIA, says that while the building’s form responds to its site, its articulated surface responds to the climate, making its architecture a derivative of the “interaction of natural forces.”

SOM is also currently in the process of constructing Burj Dubai, a residential tower that is set to be the world’s tallest building. Both projects are scheduled to be completed by 2009.

Photo taken 15/06/06 from infront of Grosvenor House

http://xs302.xs.to/xs302/06251/DSCF4570LR.jpg (http://xs.to)

has the completion date been set back to 2009 (officially)??

Even if it wasn't I wouldn't expect this one to be completed anytime before 2009

Still December 2008 on contract - no official notification of any other date.

I'd always add 6 months to contract completion date, better late and of better quality then on time and cut corners is my moto.

But i doubt Dec 2008 myself the earliest i see hand over is Feb 2009, no source to that just a gut feeling

cheers for that. fully agree. rather late but well built. dubailife, krazy, love dubai - have you each got an aprtment?
walked past the site the other day. more activity than before. it seems slow progress is because of a massive, undocumented culvert running through the site. i think they have re-marked (moved) the plot (and its Damac neighbour) by about 2 meters to avoid this. you heard it here first...

Yes dubailife and I have both got apartments - the same 1 bed type, a few floors apart. Have they moved the plot nearer or further to the water's edge or sideways if you know what I mean?

Thanks for that info 9714, What source did you get that from and as Lovedubai asked which way has the plot been moved. I sure it's noit a big issue as long as it does not affect the tower design and size.

i believe the culvert runs along the water's edge, so the move is probably inland. i have a friend, who is on the project management team, who let this slip.

lovedubai, the dubailife - which floors are your apartments on? are they type 6?

have seen the studios cropping up in the UK for over 1M dhs already.

Mine's on the 24th floor - 2406. Where have you seen the studios advertised?

20th floor for me and it's a type 6 so it 2006

mine's 3106. saw the studio on a website. sorry, dont recall which one. will have a think.
do any other owners post here? its good to get feedback.

^^ Nearly halfway up the tower. Only other user i know of who was looking to by so don't know if they bought or not was "Limey"

But we need to stick to the topic of discussion i.e The Tower construction etc so feel free to private msg to discuss any thing else.

^^ Nearly halfway up the tower. Only other user i know of who was looking to by so don't know if they bought or not was "Limey"

But we need to stick to the topic of discussion i.e The Tower construction etc so feel free to private msg to discuss any thing else.

Hi folks, I'll let you know what I can find out from the developer when we visit next week.

Cheers

Here are a couple of pics from last week, I'll try to upload more later on..

http://img306.imageshack.us/img306/6889/dubaijuly20060039ts.th.jpg (http://img306.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dubaijuly20060039ts.jpg)

http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/9214/dubaijuly20060143ig.th.jpg (http://img161.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dubaijuly20060143ig.jpg)

Thanks Limey. Greatly appreciated!

Thanks for the pictures limey! Are the 06 types the one's facing Grosvenor House?...the 06,05 and 07 have better views than the other side right?...06 supposedly full marina is this true coz the marina only just starts there! This tower is awesome! Has to be one of the best landmarks in the marina if not the best! :banana2: :carrot:

^^ Depends which floor your on a little as the tower twist but in general 05 should have a marina view towards phase 1 and as no tower can be built next to it you could call it a full Marina view.

06 and 07 are in middle facing general direction of Grosvenor House but as the tower twist changing directon towards the sea area.

Have a look at the website http://www.infinitytower.com/ there is a floorplan on there for every floor as a general guideline.

Thanks mate for such a swift response! It's the 06 type im interested in! They've also got panoramic view two beds which sound awesome!..obviously more pricey but think the 1 beds will have higher demand and generate a better yield! Spoke to Palma yesterday they say the apartments will have floor to ceiling glass windows and no dividing walls but columns instead?!! so should make for a fantastic interior! :banana: I've looked back on the thread and heard alot of talk about another building blocking some views of Infinity although I gather this is the opposite side of the Grovenor House facing side?? can anyone please clarify what exactly this building is and where it is if they know?? Right I'm off :runaway: before I'm accused of asking investor questions!! :nono: :baeh3: ps if all goes to plan I think anyone buying here will have made a very smart move! :naughty:

there is an unknown tower by Damac supposed to be to the left of infinity (looking from the sea), we have only seen a board (actually 4 of them) advertising it but it was gone some days after that.

Flo to the rescue once again! nice one! yeah when I spoke to Palma I mentioned a building blocking some views :tiasd: and the woman's response was "oh but that's on the other side!" so I'm assuming it WILL be getting built! ..damn shame! :gaah: hopefully it won't have 2 much of an impact on such a breathtaking project! ps I love Portugese girls too although a mate did warn recently that as they get older SOME are prone to developing facial hair and severe weight gain!! :puke:

the plot map suggest a plot (potential high rise) directly opposite infinitiy on the other side of the bridge... but this is not certain (before u get excited) and is only a speculation

Well, the good thing about infinity and its twist is that if you're somewhere in the middle of the tower then no matter side you're on you will get views. This is because no side directly faces the building next door.

http://img93.imageshack.us/img93/2000/infinity6af.jpg


This is damac though and they're having trouble with their first ocean heights so either it'll not get built or else it'll be finished 5 years after the completion of infinity :D

With the 06 type appartment which DR Dubai is interested it, the view is towards GH therefore only thing that will block on that side is GH 2, So your pretty sure of the view you'll get.

We will see in 3 years time.

Flo to the rescue once again! nice one! yeah when I spoke to Palma I mentioned a building blocking some views :tiasd: and the woman's response was "oh but that's on the other side!" so I'm assuming it WILL be getting built! ..damn shame! :gaah: hopefully it won't have 2 much of an impact on such a breathtaking project! ps I love Portugese girls too although a mate did warn recently that as they get older SOME are prone to developing facial hair and severe weight gain!! :puke:


:rofl:

she is still 17 so .. might take some years ;)

anyway.
i assume the Palma sales lady was either talking about GV or Emirates Marina Hotel.

i bet she did not know about the possible Damac tower directly next door.

if u have a look here u can see what i mean:

http://i2.tinypic.com/orpchy.jpg

or rather she is pretending to now know abt damac's plans... im sure she is not stupid enuff to believe that such a prime plot wont be host to a supertall considering how every other plot in this line is above 200m or more..

once again, if u want the truth dont go to real estate agents.. come to us :D

The 06 types between floors 19 and 27 (Better Homes?) will have views across the mouth of the Marina towards GH1 and GH2 with the sea in the background if that's any help. If you do buy through Better Homes, watch out - they 'forgot' to forward my money onto the developer claiming they didn't receive a reservation form and 'forgot' to return the money. They are still holding on to the cash 7 months later!

^^ now that is some story :eek:


once again, if u want the truth dont go to real estate agents.. come to us :D

^^ as long as u don't raise investment questions for that matter.

samir i do think sales people (some of them) are stupid enough to believe there will not be another tower, they might not even take it into consideration, thinking the whole plot from the marina to Emirates Hotel belongs to infinity probably.

The 06 types between floors 19 and 27 (Better Homes?) will have views across the mouth of the Marina towards GH1 and GH2 with the sea in the background if that's any help. If you do buy through Better Homes, watch out - they 'forgot' to forward my money onto the developer claiming they didn't receive a reservation form and 'forgot' to return the money. They are still holding on to the cash 7 months later!


Thats half the problem with re-sale you not dealing direct with devloper or there agent. If some one wnats to buy in Infinity contact Palma 1st they are offical agents.

1 beds are the hardest to obtain as they are sold out....Palma are not bad as agents quite helpful when you contact them and try to get as much of an answer they can.

Dubai being dubai i think half the time the master developers don't know whats happening.

Here are a few more pics from a couple of weeks ago :)

http://81.86.69.77/pics/dubai-2006/images/dubai_july_2006_115.jpg

http://81.86.69.77/pics/dubai-2006/images/dubai_july_2006_125.jpg

http://81.86.69.77/pics/dubai-2006/images/dubai_july_2006_002.jpg

http://81.86.69.77/pics/dubai-2006/images/dubai_july_2006_014.jpg

Great to see work on one of my all-time-top-3 residential towers in Dubai!!! Hope this one blocks my view of the hideous-looking Habtoor towers when it gets built!

Thanks for update Limey. Can't wait for this one to rise as it will be intresting to see how the core and floors differ because of twist.

Thanks for update Limey. Can't wait for this one to rise as it will be intresting to see how the core and floors differ because of twist.

I also forgot to mention that the building turns by 1.2 degrees/floor to achieve the 90 degree twist. Simple maths and an interesting fact if nothing else :)

thank you for the update

Today by Imre

http://i7.tinypic.com/219yqvq.jpg

http://i7.tinypic.com/219ys7p.jpg

http://i7.tinypic.com/219yseb.jpg

Thanks Imre for taking photo's and Thanks Krazy for posting the photo's.

Looks like one of the JLT puddles has moved to the Infinity plot.

quite chaotic and a considerable amount of machinery on site
looks promising though

can anyone change the status on Emporis from proposed to UC, Culwulla was wondering.

At emporis it is under construction.

The proposed one is the other Infinity Tower with 372 meters!!!

:doh: and culwulla did not get it :bash:

july 30

http://i7.tinypic.com/21n0byp.jpg

anything on the damac site?

Yeah, a giant Damac poster. :sleepy:

18.08.2006 By Imre

http://i7.tinypic.com/24x2brc.jpg

http://i8.tinypic.com/24x2d6o.jpg

http://i7.tinypic.com/24x2dm9.jpg

http://i7.tinypic.com/24x2dya.jpg

http://i7.tinypic.com/24x2e7s.jpg

http://i7.tinypic.com/24x2e6h.jpg

http://i8.tinypic.com/24x2ek7.jpg

http://i7.tinypic.com/24x2els.jpg

http://i8.tinypic.com/24x2er9.jpg

Thanks Imre for pictures and stephan23 for posting the pictures.

All i can say this tower has a great location

you would say that seen as you have bought there. I like it too , at least work is being done cant wait to see how the exterior will look and how it will look whilst under construction

03.09.2006 By Imre

http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/5182/img3430pr8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/5999/img3431fz2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

cool so wot stage of the construction does this signify then , still piling i guess

15.09.2006 by Imre

http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/6017/img3692rq6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/3411/img3693us8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/1082/img3694ee1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/6638/img3695hv0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

The Swimming Pools already taking Shape needs a little cleaning :)

Are the Concrete slabs to keep earth back whilst they excavate and built the permanent barrier.

new pics?

Non recently maybe IMRE if he's in Marina next can take a few.

Friday!!! I order!

13/10/2006

Infinity Tower

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/5109/dsc0018ge6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/2097/dsc0019pw0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/8991/dsc0020hp8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/2855/dsc0021fk0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

thnks for the new photos. are there to be any basements?

i am told there will be 6 basements.

^^ That will means a really DEEP hole, the deepest in Dubai so far.

6 Basements? :eek:

why that, the design shows overground basement also, and this one is very close to the water..

if it is going to have 6 underground floor, foundation etc will take quite a while..

i wonder if my source meant parking levels instead of basements. 6 basements do seem too much. the podium consists of 6 levels, doesnt it? one would think basements so close to the waters edge would be under tremendous pressure. i will find out for certain.

wotever the basement level, this one will take a while before it starts rising.. I would give it about a year

piling is due to finish before the end of the year, no? the podium will take a while but after that at least a floor a week...

Bids in for Infinity
CONSTRUCTION UAE
20 Oct 2006
Bids have been submitted by three groups for the main construction contract on the proposed Infinity tower project at Dubai Marina. The bidders include Saudi Oger, the local Arabtec Construction and the local/Lebanese Arabian Construction Company (ACC). The 75-storey structure will be mainly residential, with some retail outlets. Bahrain-based Projacs International is the project manager. The US’ Skidmore, Owings & Merrill is the architect (MEED 14:10:05).

R

any idea of the tendered price?

does anyone know something about the 2nd Infinity tower? http://www.emporis.com/ge/il/im/?id=436483

There can't be many plots remaining for this to be built on......i don't think there's any more info apart from whats on emporis.

It could have been a losing proposal for this one, although there's still the plot between marina heights and the torch :D

maybe we've a little chance. i love the design of it so much, that black is wonderful.

02.11.2006 By Imre

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/26/dsc0758ay7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/8711/dsc0759ib7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Looks like progress is starting to be made which i'm glad about as i'm about to send the third payment.

You got to go down before you go up

Got a letter from Infinity Yesterday Stating Progress is on Schedule and Pilling Work will be Complete by December 2006. It does not specifiy a date but 31st would be the last date.

Do you think the Pictures / Site visits by IMRE make this sound about right cause i 'm not sure what to look for in pictures to see if Piling is even going on etc.

Without the drawings to refer to its difficult to say if the piling is 25 50 or 75% complete. What I do know is Infinity will have plenty of heavy duty piles.

Palma are famous for declaring everything is on schedule when payments are due, but ask them for details of the construction schedule and they don't respond. They recently issued a delay notice to owners of The Jewels with a revised handover of March 2007, absolutely no chance try September 2007. They are learning from the big guys Nakheel and Dubai Properties.

^^ Well i never thought it was on Schedule anyway as completion date is Dec 2008 and i would say earliest it's gonna be is Mid 2009.

At least they not learning from DAMAC and the Ocean Heights Saga.

At the bear minimum we can say that work is going on on all the Cayan / Palma projects.

As for the Jewels there is alot of work to be done there too.

Correct! Infinity will be stunning as one thing that Cayan/Palma do well is appoint the best design team and contractors. They value their reputation in repect of delivering quality. Like you say progress on all projects is steady and the first completed project (La residencia del mar ) is stunning inside with top notch finishings.

I can take a Delay as long as you get quality it's when you get a delay and the quality lacks that people become really unhappy.

Well you'd hope Infinity has quality finshes as the Design is of High Quality. They only downside is i wish it was Taller. But i suppose the design is based on the 90 degree twist so to make taller each floor would have to rotate less etc.......

I think the height is restricted by a few factors. Firstly the eccentric out of axis loading on the columns will induce moment as well as thrust. This results in stubby columns to resist the additional forces. These columns have a greater cross sectional area and therefore greater self weight. This additional weight adds to the foundation loadings which eventually become limit design. You can build tall if you can minimise the weight per floor or are prepared to spend excessivly on the foundation works (assuming the ground is up to it).

Second factor is one which is probably unique to this design. All buildings sway under gusty winds. The natural harmonic frequency has to be known or the building can start swaying violently if the gust frequency syncronises with the buildng frequency. Very tall buildings can sometimes require some form of damper which prevents the sway or atleast limits it to a comfortable level. The design of Infinity is likely to induce horizontal torsion if sway is induced. This means that as well as swaying back and forth it will also twist side to side. Not desireable if you have had a few glasses of wine.
The taller the building or its slenderness ratio determines its amplitude or maximum sway and associated torsional twisting. So the higher you go the bigger the party (if you get my drift).

The designers SOM will have spent a lot of time and money analysing this on computers and scale models. The results will tell them what the maximum height should be before inviting trouble.

And there you have it!

Excellent expalntation, thanks for that very much. Us lame men don't think about these factors but now come to think of it i'm sure i saw a program about building sway etc.

Well there you have it everyone and since SOM are world class hopefully we should have no worry about a too bigger party going on.

nicely explained, true blue. are you a structural engineer? Could the majority of the dead and live loads on a building like this not be bourne by a very stiff, consistent (ie. non eccentric) core and cantilevering floor slabs. This would surely help reduce the load on out of line columns?

I am qualified but no longer practice as an Engineer. (Strathclyde University Class of 87)

Almost anything is possible structuraly however engineers have to provide an economic solution to the architects theme. The core would have to be substantial, or even massive, to provide the same section modulus as the design with columns. Cantilevered floor slabs could require extra thickening to resist shear at the core (support point) all adding to the weight of the structure. Developers need floor space to sell and there wouldn't be much left if the core had walls 5 or even 10metres thick! when you look at the floor layouts in Infinity you can see that the columns are already quite intrusive but obviously essential.

Interestingly I noted from Imre's photos of the Burj Dubai that a lot of the floors are in cantilever. The extra thickening of the floors around the substantial columns to resist the shear (and support moment) is clearly visible.

thanks, true blue

Infinity Tower Wins Best Architecture in the International Property Award

Confirmation that Dubai’s spectacular Infinity Tower is in a class of its own International Property Awards. In addition, Infinity Tower won 4 other awards in the Arabian Property Awards under the following categories:

Best Development, Dubai
Best Architecture
Best Property Marketing
Best Website, www.infinitytower.com

The Cayan Investment and Development project, being marketed by Palma Real Estate, headed off many of the big names in Dubai property development by being the only one to pick up awards in four categories.

Ahmed Al Hatti, Chairman of Cayan says while both companies are very proud of this achievement, they were quietly confident that Infinity Tower would perform well in the awards because it was truly unique – even in a market internationally recognised for achieving the seemingly impossible when it comes to architectural design.

The Arabian Property Awards are part of the International Property Awards programme, now in its 12th year, with a truly international judging panel chaired by Eric Pickles MP, Shadow Minister for Local Government in the UK. Other judges included internationally respected property editors, design experts, architects and chartered surveyors.

The project is about 80 per cent sold, a result described as “excellent” by Kareem Derbas, CEO of Palma Real Estate, given the huge number of opportunities currently available to property investors in Dubai.

Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merill, known for other iconic landmarks such as the Sears Tower in Chicago and Burj Dubai in Dubai, Infinity Tower positions itself as the most exclusive address in the world.
The 80-storey building will stand at 330 metres, the highest twisting tower in the world
It has spectacular design features affording panoramic ocean, Palm and marina views aided by a complete 90º twist from top to bottom and architectural and construction techniques specifically designed for this project. The interior theme will be very modern to complement the external design.

Infinity Tower offers one-four bedroom residential apartments with duplexes and penthouses on the higher levels. At street level, there will be designated shopping and retail outlets for both residents and visitors.
Every Infinity apartment will have contemporary internationally styled interiors, marble and wood finishes, and premium fixtures and fittings. There will be high-speed Internet and access to digital/satellite TV, state-of-the-art air conditioning, and a comprehensive automation system to control lights, air-conditioning and other functions from a central handset.
The building’s residential amenities will include a fully landscaped podium with a rooftop park, outdoor infinity pool, whirlpool and children’s pool, located on the seventh floor. Other amenities include a health spa with treatment rooms, a gymnasium, conference rooms, cigar lounge, a fully-equipped nursery, an outdoor tennis court and a fully enclosed parking garage with state-of-the-art security.

Infinity Tower is being developed by Cayan Investment and Development, a highly respected property development company headquartered in Dubai with regional offices in Saudi Arabia.

Over the past two years the company has developed three other residential projects at Dubai Marina, namely La Residencia Del Mar, which is now a completed project, Dorrabay and The Jewels.

there will be 5 and a half basements. (yes, i know the plot is v close to the water...). this information directly from an assistant proj manager on the job

So they'll be digging deep then and will probaly take longer to rise upto and beyond the ground level.

Great to see the tower recognised for it's design etc. A tower i fell in love with by just visting the site.

i hate rumours and i hope this one is not true but apparently the parcel of land behind the sailing club belonging to nakheel has been approved for 13 towers (dont know how tall). they applied for 18 but only had 13 approved by emaar. this is bad news for all type 6 and 7 owners on the middle floors. let this be a bad joke please....can anyone confirm?

I honeslty dont think there is space for 13 towers... also it shudnt affect your views from infinity.. what you shud worry abt is plot 10D

http://dubaiproperty.ru/pic/dubai_marina/plot_9hh_9rr/9rr_9hh.jpg

i wouldn't worry about those to be honest, i also don't think they would be tall.

hi 9714
As the would be owner of a type 6 apartment - I've heard better news!!! Where did you hear these rumours? They will certainly block some of the view if it's true.

Any i'm not worried by the rumour because i think i was going to be viewin Grovesoner House and it's twin, more then the Nakheel plot.

Anyway i thought that nakheel plot had something to do with the Palm.....i never thought it was going to be towers not of any significant height.

well, after all these bads news- I probably have a good one..according to Faisal Shaikh - CEO
Cribs Properties & Investments
the plot 10D will be a park and will therefore not block any views towards the marina. I am just not so sure about a Real Estate agent's view on this. Can anyone confirm this?There must be some government org that should be able to confirm this..any idea?

Thats too much of a prime spot to be a park unless Emaar have become a not for profit organisation they will have sold that land if the plans are correct therefore more then likely something will be buitl there.

But i hope it's true what your source said as it would be nice to have a park in this area somehwere.

10D would be too valuebale to be a car park imo. not sure about that one.

10D is owned by shaikh ahmed and there are currently no plans to develop it, ie. it is a parking lot till further notice. this info from a source at emaar development, who also let slip about the nakheel towers. what plot is GH2 on?

Probably saving the best plot till last (10D) to be sold for the highest premium. Likely something will be built there in the long term.

Infinity Tower has won the award for 'best architecture' at the International Property Awards in London it was announced today.

Arabtec wins Infinity tower
CONSTRUCTION UAE
24 Nov 2006

The local Arabtec Construction has received a letter of intent for the estimated AED 700 million ($191 million) main construction contract for the Infinity tower project in Dubai Marina. The 303-metre tower will rotate through 90 degrees (MEED 20:10:06).

The structural system for the building will be a cast-in-situ reinforced concrete column superstructure that steps by one degree at each floor. The 75-storey tower will have five basements and a total built-up area of 112,000 square metres. Bahrain-based Projacs International is the project manager. The US’ Skidmore, Owings & Merrill is the architect. Lebanon’s Khatib & Alami is the local consultant. Saudi-based Cayan Investment & Development Company is the client.

R

it is freaking expensive, probably due to the design of course.

Arabtec wins Infinity tower
CONSTRUCTION UAE
24 Nov 2006

The local Arabtec Construction has received a letter of intent for the estimated AED 700 million ($191 million) main construction contract for the Infinity tower project in Dubai Marina. The 303-metre tower will rotate through 90 degrees (MEED 20:10:06).

The structural system for the building will be a cast-in-situ reinforced concrete column superstructure that steps by one degree at each floor. The 75-storey tower will have five basements and a total built-up area of 112,000 square metres. Bahrain-based Projacs International is the project manager. The US’ Skidmore, Owings & Merrill is the architect. Lebanon’s Khatib & Alami is the local consultant. Saudi-based Cayan Investment & Development Company is the client.

RThe 303-metre tower ??? i thought it was 330m ???

What i want to know is which other towers Arabtec has built or are building now. Just want to know if they are a company with a good, bad or average reputation.

They were part of the consortium which built JBR.

^^ Burj Dubai, Le Reve, 21st Century, Burj Dubai Lake Hotel, to name the few. They certanly have the expertise.

Pretty good CV without a doubt.

Infinity is the type of project forward thinking contractors would want to win. This type of iconic build will generate enquiries from other developers with grand designs.

By sounds of it they already got some Iconic designs / projects under their belts.

Sounds like the perfect contractor for Infinity

arabtec are also doing the gate gardens (by hopkins architects) and sky gardens (by atkins) at difc.

Also, the Al Fattan Towers.

All the 300m+ towers in the Dubai Marina are way too slwo. I will see only holes in the ground in April.

I think the clue's in your statement. Towers of around 300m or more require a lot more work at the crucial piling stages than smaller ones. It's not rocket science.

^^ that certainly didnt seem to be the case with certain 300m+ towers on szr or even burj dubai for that matter

^^ BD and SZR towers are not near the sea shore so they have less dewatering problems, also they don't have underground floors thanks to separate parking structures.

Construction pics of 300m+ towers in the Dubai Marina from April 2005.

http://tinypic.com/4kbpft

http://tinypic.com/4kbqsn

Infinity's plot 2 days ago. Those pipes aren't for removing water but for shoring up the perimeter walls--so I've been told.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v663/Upandhi/Dubai%20Marina/Infinity_2006-11-30_IMG_3280.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v663/Upandhi/Dubai%20Marina/Infinity_2006-11-30_IMG_3278.jpg

Thanks for update GoDubai, compare these pictures to those on post 383 from the 02/11/2006.

Alot of earth has been removed to create the big hole for Tom as well as the addtion of the pipes.

So what are the construction steps is it Piling and then excavation, etc or is it the otherway round.

As i was informed Piling would be finished in Dec, Just unsure what i'm seeing in above pictures

Wow!!!

Fantastic pictures of how it should be done! Check out the heavy duty shores and walings. And if you look closely you can spot the rock driller installing anchors through the shoring wall. Mega Civil Engineering site even has the mandatory big rig crawler. Wish I was there.

By the way, compare these pics with the latest on Torch. Which developer looks favourite to finish first.

THE RACE IS ON :banana:

I am not seeing any piling in the pictures, just excavation and shoring work. There isn't a single piling rig on site in sight.

As for the comparing with The Torch, not only that building has the piling completed but it is also much easier and therefore faster to build.

Tom_Green; The piles on the "pool" were for the old 200 meters tall design of Ocean Heights. After the tower was redesigned (ok long after that) those piles were removed, the site cleaned and they started all over again with piling. What is the second site, 23Marina?

Tom_Green; The piles on the "pool" were for the old 200 meters tall design of Ocean Heights. After the tower was redesigned (ok long after that) those piles were removed, the site cleaned and they started all over again with piling. What is the second site, 23Marina?


I just wish they would be as fast as they are with the Almas Tower.

I think it`s the 23Marina.
If i remember correct the 310m version of the Ocean Heights tower was under construction (on emporis) during my visit. They have been 3x 300m+ tower under construction according to emporis in the Dubai Marina during my visit in April 2005.

thedubailife: I am used to see only holes of the tallest skyscrapers in the world.
Right now no skyscraper in Dubai can beat that hole. :D
http://tinypic.com/u8n0z http://tinypic.com/u8n53

AltinD, you are in a bit of an argumentative mood today!

Check out this pic from earlier;

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/26/dsc0758ay7.jpg

The picture shows one crane holding a Muller vibrator grabbing a steel caisson. These high frequency vibrators intall the caisions deep into the ground and joining them together. The other rig has an auger which empties the tube is it goes futher down. So I rekon the piles are in, and in deep. I maybe wrong but I have made a case for my opinion.

The Torch design may be easier to build but its down to the methodology and so far Infinity methods are on par with the modern design.

Here's one more.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v663/Upandhi/Dubai%20Marina/Infinity_2006-11-30_IMG_3281.jpg

Can't believe there are piles under all that! Perhaps they were test piles.

^^ But how deep underground can be put the pile, I mean the distance from the top of it to the ground level where the rig operates.

Machine is digging in the area where one might expect those piles to be, but no sign of any piles.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v663/Upandhi/Dubai%20Marina/Infinity_2006-11-30_IMG_3278a.jpg

Until they hit rock basically. Then percussion rigs are needed if they want to go deeper.

The Muller vibrator breaks the skin friction on the steel tube. When this happens the tube just slides into the ground as if it were a hot knife in butter. I have never used one in submerged sand but I think you could easily go 40 metres plus. Most contractors use them with a gate which keeps them vertical to start off but in sand its just as easy to pull them out and start again until its right.

This was one of the most expensive piling contracts let in the marina so there may well be a second phase to come. However this might just be testing and supplementing if required. It will be a bit awkward trying to work below the bracing as I noticed there is a second level of walings getting installed.

Machine is digging in the area where one might expect those piles to be, but no sign of any piles.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v663/Upandhi/Dubai%20Marina/Infinity_2006-11-30_IMG_3278a.jpg

Thats an hydraulic breaker mounted on the excavator. He may infact be taking off the surplus concrete from the tops of the piles as the excavation progresses. Or he may be breaking rock, but Altin says there is no rock just sand. On that basis piles are the favourite.

^^ I was asking about the top of the pile, and not how deep they can generaly go. Are you saying that they can put a pile and then dig down up to 40 m till the reach the cup (top) of it? I doubt that.

Sorry AltinD, I missunderstood your query.

Anything is possible in Civil Engineering terms, It just depends on how much you want to spend. Assuming there are only 4 basement levels at 4m each and say 2m for the raft slab then they only need to go 18m less the commencing depth. The commencing surface looked to be about 5 to 6 metres below ground level so only 12metres or so to the pile cap.

On the subject of cost, you can state a performance criteria in the contract which forces the tendering contractor to price on a method which will cost significantly more but finish on time. Like for instance, deep pile insertion techniques with expensive shoring and anchoring ongoing with hydraulic pile reduction and multiple hydraulic excavators.

Or you can simply invite the cheapest tender with the tendering foundation contractor states a duration within their offer. This would result in piles installed at near ground level, dug out with 1 machine and lots of cheap labour with air tools chipping away for months to break down the piles. Slow and dangerous process as most European countries have now outlawed this method. Prolonged exposure to vibration tools causes loss of use of the fingers and at least severe numbness which is permanent.

^^ So basically they can put all the piles deep down in from the ground level, and then just excavate (let say) 10 - 15 meters down, till they reach (the top of) them? If you have to excavate the basement anyway, wouldn't be cheapper to just excavate first and insert the piles later, or the problem with that will be logistic (taking the machineries in and out of the site)?

Another questions, if the piles go 20 - 50 meters down, obviously the steel caisson will not be in one piece but in sections (as I have seen it). How are they joinned and secured together to create a single pile?

Yes you are right, logistics of access. Big crawler piling rigs don't like uneven ground they are not stable like excavators. An excavator can use its bucket to stabilise itself when negotiating steep slopes and uneven ground.

The caissons are not piles as such. They are the sheild which keeps debris out of the pile while the concrete and steel cage are placed. They are drawn as the concete goes in. They are joined together using different means from insitu welding to proprietry quick locks.

^^ Ok, sorry I was actually asking about the steel cages that goes in first before the concrete pouring.

Cayan awards AED700 million Infinity Tower contract to Arabtec

Cayan Investment and Development has signed one of the UAE's largest construction companies, Arabtec, to build its international award-winning Infinity Tower at Dubai Marina at a cost of AED700 million.

http://www.ameinfo.com/images/news/1/33011-Gr.jpg
Some of the biggest names in UAE property development gathered at the Shangi-la Hotel in Dubai last night for the announcement of the AED 700 million contract to build the international award winning Infinity Tower. Pictured, from left, are Khaldoun Tabari (Executive Director, Drake & Scull), Riad Kamal (Chairman, Arabtec), Ahmed Al Hatti (Chairman, Cayan) and Badr Al Zahrani (Chairman, Arbaah).

Cayan has also announced that Drake & Scull has been awarded the Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) services contract and that Currie & Brown has won the Project Management Services contract as a joint venture with El Seif Engineering Contracting (ESEC).

Cayan chairman Mr Ahmed Al Hatti said Cayan had put a lot of effort into ensuring it appointed only the very best companies for the Infinity Tower contracts, as the iconic tower will be constantly in the public eye.

'Because of its unique spiral design, everyone will be watching Infinity Tower grow and we wanted a construction team that we know will not only deliver on time but will also hand over a finished product that well and truly exceeds our clients' expectations.'

Arabtec has more than 24,000 employees and among its current projects is another Dubai icon, Burj Dubai, which will be the highest tower in the world when completed in 2008.

Established in 1975, Arabtec has undertaken major projects across the UAE including high rise developments, hotel interiors, residential complexes, office blocks, commercial and industrial projects, major airport developments, offshore oil and gas installations, cinema and entertainment facilities.

'Arabtec's track record speaks for itself,' Mr Al Hatti said, 'as does that of the main subcontractors, Drake & Scull, Currie & Brown and ESEC.'

Experience was a significant factor in deciding to award the MEP contract to Drake & Scull, with the company having more than 100 years experience internationally and more than 40 years in the Middle East.

'Drake & Scull is recognised as a world class operator in the MEP field, not only throughout the Middle East but also in Asia, while the project management companies, Currie & Brown and ESEC, also have international reputations for quality,' Mr Al Hatti said.

A Scottish company, Currie & Brown operates in more than 50 countries and has been providing risk and property management services since 1876. ESEC is a leading regional contracting company active in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Lebanon and Dubai, with affiliates in Paris and London.

Infinity Tower recently won the award for best architecture in the world at the International Property Awards in London after taking out four awards at the inaugural Arabian Property Awards in Dubai.

Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merill, known for other iconic landmarks such as the Sears Tower in Chicago and Burj Dubai in Dubai, Infinity Tower positions itself as the most exclusive address in the world.

The 80-storey building will stand at 330 metres, the highest twisting tower in the world

It has spectacular design features affording panoramic ocean, Palm and marina views aided by a complete 90º twist from top to bottom and architectural and construction techniques specifically designed for this project. The interior theme will be very modern to complement the external design.

Infinity Tower offers one-four bedroom residential apartments with duplexes and penthouses on the higher levels. At street level, there will be designated shopping and retail outlets for both residents and visitors.

Every Infinity apartment will have contemporary internationally styled interiors, marble and wood finishes, and premium fixtures and fittings. There will be high-speed Internet and access to digital/satellite TV, state-of-the-art air conditioning, and a comprehensive automation system to control lights, air-conditioning and other functions from a central handset.

The building's residential amenities will include a fully landscaped podium with a rooftop park, outdoor infinity pool, whirlpool and children's pool, located on the seventh floor.

Other amenities include a health spa with treatment rooms, a gymnasium, conference rooms, cigar lounge, a fully-equipped nursery, an outdoor tennis court and a fully enclosed parking garage with state-of-the-art security.
Construction will start on Infinity Tower before the end of the year and completion is expected at the end of 2008.

I posted a message on this thread earlier about some apratmetns i might have broken come rules cus the post is now missing

So sorry if i did or has it been moved?

^^ Please use this thread

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=368157&page=25

Water-logged yesterday!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v663/Upandhi/Dubai%20Marina/IMG_3476.jpg

I never knew the swimming pool was going to be in the basement :).

Is there a problem here or have they just let it fill up and will de water. Does seam a little odd. Maybe we'll strike oil next

Looks like a problem! Water coming in quicker than it can be removed. Good photo which shows how far below the marina level they are working and how close to the waters edge. Not a serious problem it can be stemmed but may slow things a few weeks.

Anyone notice the pile rebar in the middle of the water? I told you they were in deeper down :yes:

^^ Maybe the pumps weren't working.

These image details might provide further insight:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v663/Upandhi/Dubai%20Marina/IMG_3476a.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v663/Upandhi/Dubai%20Marina/IMG_3476b.jpg

^^ Maybe the pumps weren't working.


There is a well pointing header set up around the perimeter. Well pointing generally deals with the water table however this is deep and close to the waters edge. I think the water could be boiling through the sand. The pumps in use are not exactly the biggest on the planet but there is not much of a requirement for pumps in the desert so regarded as specialist equipment.

Can just imagine the site manager asking his plant manager to phone around the plant hire depots to get him a fleet of 10inch high lift vactor pumps. Sorry boss they stopped keeping them along with the snow blowers :lol:

Amazing look at the height of the people compared to the wall at the top. Definatley looks deep. No doubt this won't help the construction times.

Well they could use as a selling point indoor swimming pool as well as outdoor.

Hi Trueblue

Can you explain exactly how they solve this ? In words of one syllable for the technically challenged please!

There is a well pointing header set up around the perimeter. Well pointing generally deals with the water table however this is deep and close to the waters edge. I think the water could be boiling through the sand. The pumps in use are not exactly the biggest on the planet but there is not much of a requirement for pumps in the desert so regarded as specialist equipment.

Can just imagine the site manager asking his plant manager to phone around the plant hire depots to get him a fleet of 10inch high lift vactor pumps. Sorry boss they stopped keeping them along with the snow blowers :lol:

I don't really get your post (lost in translation maybe) but all the construction sites in Marina (or elswhere) have constant dewatering of their sites and pumps are available and working full time. They simply had problems with the pumps working, maybe malfunction, maybe electricity blackout.

Hi Trueblue

Can you explain exactly how they solve this ? In words of one syllable for the technically challenged please!

Ahh. Not so easy!

If I were onsite seeing the problem and living with it I could decide on a solution. Photos are just clues and don't really tell the full story. Altin maybe right that its just a pump failure or my experience is telling me that there is possibly a geology problem like a large fissure in the rock below which is leaking water heavily. It could also be just water bypassing the well pointing tubes and re emerging on the surface. I know that everyone is dewatering but if you go twice as deep you increase pore pressure 4 times (pore pressure is a static pressure exerted on the soil by the water). This is taking a long time to script as I am trying not to get technical or go into depth.

Obviously if you are right next to the marina water then the path for the water to travel is short and therefore strong. If you are further back like the Torch then the well pointing can dewater quicker than it can flow throw the porous soil. So the answer is either increase the distance the water has to flow or decrease the soil porosity. The former would be acheived by increasing the depth of the contiguous pile shoring (not practical now) and the latter by pressure grouting with fast setting or semi dry grout. There was grout silos on site at Iris Blue (another one on the waters edge) so I assume they did the grouting in advance of excavating just as a precaution.

There may even be more modern techniques available today but I must confess that most of my New Civil Engineer magazines have been going into the bin unread in recent years.

True blue, are they using contiguous piles for shoring. I thought diaphragm walls would be needed for this depth and proximity to water. Contiguous piles don't keep out water very well, do they (unless this is the intention, of course).

One point about proximity to the water: It is possible that this part of the water channel was originally dug out from the same soil that one finds around the torch and other inland plots--as the Marina is man-made. So the soil composition would not necessarily be any different than elsewhere. Also the channel itself would have been well-lined and sealed so that there should not be water seepage in the adjacent areas. Just a thought.

Could it be simply that the pool of water is the result of recent rains? There was heavy rain two or three days before the photo was taken.

yep i think it was rain to

The water has not much to do with recent rain or the Marina canal. The key word is the proximity to the sea shore and the fact that Dubai is FLAT and just slightly above sea level. That's the reason why all SZR towers have NOT underground parking, despite being a couple of km from the shore.

I'm not an expert (just an observer) but most the sites in Marina have diaphragm walls.

Not wanting to get into an argument here but looked back at infinity old photos and agree sections are diaphragm walled. Most of every site I have seen is contiguous. Diaphragm walling is very messy work. Don't accept your point on SZR.

koul...........:D

Drake & Scull secures Dh146.8m contract for Infinity Tower project

Dubai: Dubai-based Drake & Scull International (DSI) has secured a Dh146.8 million mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) contract for the Infinity Tower being built at Dubai Marina.

The move comes as the engineering contracting company consolidates its presence in the Middle East real estate markets by signing with several high profile developments.

"We are delighted to be involved in the development of the Infinity Tower, as its striking architectural design will ensure its prominence as a visual icon for the region. Drake & Scull International will harness cutting edge technology, industry expertise and skilled personnel to provide the highest standards of quality that it is renowned for," said Khaldoun Al Tabari, Executive Director, DSI.

At 330 metres, the Infinity Tower is the highest twisting tower in the world and turns 90 degrees to offer unobstructed views of Dubai Marina and the Arabian Gulf, incorporating a high-strength, reinforced concrete column superstructure that rotates with the twisting shape to create a helix.

Starting next month, DSI will manage the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of the complete MEP works for the tower.

This will include plumbing and drainage, power and lighting, telephone and data, fire alarm systems and air conditioning.

Can anyone provide updated pictures on this. Tractor are you in Dubai a quick shot would be nice.

Thanks

http://www.hidubai.com/pictures/Infinity Plot.JPG

Taken 24/12/2006

thanks!

at the site is no more water ?

It seems the taller a tower is in dubai, the smaller its footprint. (With some exceptions like BDLH and Almas.) look how small the footprint of the Torch is.

Tower Power:

Thats becouse in Dubai you compensate lacking width with height and vice versa, you should see the one-floor structures :O

*joke*

Thanks for update Tractor Seams like your in the Grovsenor House Bar all too often:)

:lol: ^^

that footprint does not look too big to me, rather average imo.
anyway,.. what are those tubes used for?

I like this tower. I dislike the facade but it will look good when finished.

I am a little bit confused now. Would somebody be kind enough to indicate on the plots the name of the towers. Too many of them... buffer overflow :nuts:

The big hole closets to us with pipes at 45 degree angles is Infinity.

The plot behind it is ocean heights 2 by DAMAC and the hole at top towards right is The Torch

The big tubes are shoring struts. These support the perimeter wall until the basement is built. Looks like its the party wall between Infinity/MH2 that needs the extra support.

I hate these toweres being put next to each other although Infinity people will be ing ood comapny with Ocean heights and Torch living the high life.

The big hole closets to us with pipes at 45 degree angles is Infinity.

The plot behind it is ocean heights 2 by DAMAC and the hole at top towards right is The Torch

This helps a lot, thank you.

happy new year, everyone!

Arabtec have apparently given a timline to completion for this as end Q1 2009 which pushes it back a few months. The below ground and podium is particularly complex on this building but expect to see the progress visibly speed up when they get past the podium level.

I find it hard to believe that emaar doesnt have "something" in mind for the empty lot right in front of infinity... especially after the road is going to be shifted with the new bridge, thus making more space for "something"

..maybe the famous parking... think would be a good location for that. Don't think very high tower, would be a (big) problem particularly for Grosvenor....but who knows..

Bye

Arabtec have apparently given a timline to completion for this as end Q1 2009 which pushes it back a few months. The below ground and podium is particularly complex on this building but expect to see the progress visibly speed up when they get past the podium level.

Yes thats about 3 months delay. But there were also issues when piling was done so thats what i expected it to be in Q1 or Q2 of 2009 at the earliest.

I don't mind a futher delay as long as finishing is of high quality it would be a shame to have such a nice tower design let down by internal finsihing and fittings.

are you in with the arabtech crowd, green kiwi? its always good to have someone on the inside.

...expect to see the progress visibly speed up when they get past the podium level.

Hmm... in this twisting building, the so-called typical floors above the podium won't be very typical will they? The layout of almost every floor could differ slightly from the one below and above. Progress could be slow.

Hmm... in this twisting building, the so-called typical floors above the podium won't be very typical will they? The layout of almost every floor could differ slightly from the one below and above. Progress could be slow.

Well not really the layout more the floorplate changes by 1.2 dgrees on each floor the layout for at least the 1st 30 or so floors is the same just because of twist everything moves around.

No I am not Arabtec. Don't live in Dubai. I get my information from the developer of Infinity who is very open and informative about the project unlike other developers. They act on the basis that they are proud to be delivering a first class project and don't jerk around their customers.

I find it hard to believe that emaar doesnt have "something" in mind for the empty lot right in front of infinity... especially after the road is going to be shifted with the new bridge, thus making more space for "something"

It is at least not an official plot in the map.. maybe it will all be taken by a 6 lane bridge?

Have to agree with GreenKiwi - Cayan and Palma RE have done a great job keeping us informed with what is going on. It bodes well for the standard of the tower. I'd certainly recommend them - especially compared with the complaints about other developers on this forum.

Just some info Cayan have another project in the marina. Sorry but i don't have any more info but it has not been pre launched yet. So i suppose watch this space.

If anyone goes to the The Dubai & Gulf property Show in London this weekend Cayan have a stand there.

^^ its the mallard poject, A,B twin towers, next to the mall, 10% discount at launch a possibility. Im having a close look at this one.
Could be a better investment than very expensive Infinity, 2 beds are 300 GBP+ ouch !

I'm going to the show in London to see the Cayan people to find the latest info on Infinity and will post if there's anything new.
David, where did you hear about the Mallard project? Is there anything on the internet yet?

I believe RMJM/ Hazel Wong are working on a twin tower proposal for Cayan in the Marina. Might be this one.

lovedubai, i heard about the project thro Rana at Cayan, suppose you will get a heads up from them at the roadshow.

I believe RMJM/ Hazel Wong are working on a twin tower proposal for Cayan in the Marina. Might be this one.

More likely to be "The Studio 1 Marina" twin tower development next to La Residencia Del Mar.

^^ can we move all this to gossip?

26/01/2007

Infinity Tower

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/8616/photo094wo5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/5927/photo095uc5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/9569/photo096pj0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/6125/photo097pq8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/1989/photo098gb4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/8088/photo099le3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Whats with the water

Woopee, we have another basement paddling pool! I was told that it happened last time because of the amount of rain there had been in Dubai. I wonder why it's happened again?

Great photos Imre!

Can see the piles :okay: :eek: :master:

Bit worried about this swimming pool we have in each update.

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/5927/photo095uc5.jpg

The picture shows it come down like a waterfall. Looks like marina might extend in to the Infinity Basement.

Many Thanks for the Pictures IMRE

Each time they go deeper the water problem will re occur. The deeper they go the greater the water pressure, so the problem becomes harder to deal with.

I see that I was correct about the piles being in deep down!

^^ Yes looks like they only just reached the top of the piles after so much excavation. But then again i'm not a construction expert

Had some time to look again at the pictures above and have some more conclusions.

The water ingress is coming in through the anchor holes. Ground anchors are being installed through the wall to resist the extreme pressure caused by the excavation and pore water pressure. Once the post stressing has been applied the rods are fixed to the wall and sealed. That will then stem the water. All of the plug hoes you can see in the wall are anchor positions. The heavy shoring struts are proping the opposite walls so they may not need the anchors.

Some serious civil engineering going on here. This is the kind of project that young engieers should consider working for free on as the experience gained on this type of job is priceless and could set them up for the big money salaries later in life.

when will the cool part of the constuction start?

Had some time to look again at the pictures above and have some more conclusions.

The water ingress is coming in through the anchor holes. Ground anchors are being installed through the wall to resist the extreme pressure caused by the excavation and pore water pressure. Once the post stressing has been applied the rods are fixed to the wall and sealed. That will then stem the water. All of the plug hoes you can see in the wall are anchor positions. The heavy shoring struts are proping the opposite walls so they may not need the anchors.

Some serious civil engineering going on here. This is the kind of project that young engieers should consider working for free on as the experience gained on this type of job is priceless and could set them up for the big money salaries later in life.

Definitelly the most challenging ground work I have had the possibility to witness (as an observer) in Dubai.

Considering the distance from the sea shore is the same as all the other towers in this row, the massive presence of water on site IMO indicates poor sealing (waterproofing) of the marina wall or maybe water penetrates just below the wall edges (the marina canal is not a basen, the bottom is not covered in concrete)