#TOPIC: TALLEST BLOCK(S) ON THE PLANET

[Desert Diver]

Great silhouette, Chakazoolu

A great Thanks to PrincessTower for this view!

[ostendadler]

One Question though. What the hell is happening for us residents to have such a terrible street in between the Elite and Marina 101. Its terrible no pavement, no street ... nothing! its a real shame. this really looks like a third city street...

What is the planning about this?

[Josau]

I guess you have to wait until most of the construction sites have finished, but I am convinced, that sooner or later it'll turn into a "real" street.

[biyadoo]

I was also wondering about this. They had started some activity about a couple of months ago when I was in Dubai, and then I heard rumours that they were aiming to finish it in 3-4 months. What is the current situation? Can anyone post photos?

Also - on a slightly related topic: what is the current status of the tram works around the marina? Are they still working, or has it stalled? Again - any pictures would be appreciated.

I agree that they should try and progress the infrastructure projects around the residential areas that are becoming established - at least up to a more acceptable level.

[auzdafluff]

Originally Posted by biyadoo

I was also wondering about this. They had started some activity about a couple of months ago when I was in Dubai, and then I heard rumours that they were aiming to finish it in 3-4 months. What is the current situation? Can anyone post photos?

Also - on a slightly related topic: what is the current status of the tram works around the marina? Are they still working, or has it stalled? Again - any pictures would be appreciated.

I agree that they should try and progress the infrastructure projects around the residential areas that are becoming established - at least up to a more acceptable level.

The tram is flying along now. I think they're aiming for an opening of around H1 2014, so I imagine most of the infrastructure work – especially around the Marina as that's where most of the work is at the moment – will be done Q3 2013.

As for that street? I imagine until Marina 101 is done. No point in laying down a load of tarmac, only for it to be ruined by the construction vehicles.

That said, look at that street from google maps. Even once that street is sorted, it's not going to hold that many cars. And considering that it's like that now with hundreds more units to come online, it's going to be interesting to see what the parking situation is like there in 12 month's time.

[ostendadler]

Well I sure get the point of not having the street fucked up by any heavy duty vehicles but aside from Marina 101 there's nothing else going on. Marina 101 is mostly cladding and inside duty most of the heavy work is done. if you are right then this street will never move on because we still have the marina Arcade site who could be developed... So this would mean another few years of 'ghetto'.

All we are asking is proper street and pavement if after they want to make it a "wow" street when all is over its fine by everyone. I just think there is a minimum standards to deliver. You literally have to cross country to reach Ocean heights. Its a pure shame. All the cars parked outside are from people flat sharing and having only one parking space.

now that princess and Elite are delivered to tenants its going to be sporty in the area to move in and out. I remember some members quoting how difficult traffic will be in the tall block. Lets face it if nothing is done soon it will indeed become a "mini JBR walk traffic syndrome" area.

The funniest is the pavement in front of Princess it literally has 2 "layers" of pavement ... strange.

Anyway on a positive note the Tramway is going on full steam ahead in all areas (sufouh, Marina, JBR...). I remember reading end of 2014 for the opening maybe I'm wrong anyway they still have a lot to do. Stations are starting to pop out on the marina and in some areas they are even laying tracks but there is still a looooooot to do. I posted pictures on the dedicated post to the tramway.

I'll try and fill you in on the " ghetto" street with pics.

[Slimbo]

The "road" is a disgrace. I have a line of traffic boiling over with rage behind me every time I visit my friends in Marina Pinnacle because I literally have to drive at snail's pace to avoid damaging my car, and that's only the first entrance!

I went to view an apartment in Ocean Heights in November and actually put down a deposit until the landlord decided to be greedy and jack the rent even more. I was told then that the road would be tarred in 3/4 weeks. Lucky that happened, otherwise I probably would have been stabbed by now if I had to drive there every night.

They really should prioritise putting the tram line in front of the section between Le Reve and Tamani Hotel, the track they're mostly working on alongside SZR is not disrupting anyone, leave that until last.

[Imre]

That site looks like Sharjah Industrial Area now

[Canard]

Originally Posted by Imre

That site looks like Sharjah Industrial Area now

Yes true it's awefull!

Such a shame right behind one of the most luxurious building in Dubai (Le Reve)

[Imre]

Originally Posted by Canard

Yes true it's awefull!

Such a shame right behind one of the most luxurious building in Dubai (Le Reve)

Yes and can be just worst ... Marina 106 can start soon , the other side the Damac Heights rising and lets see when something happening front of the Torch , then the whole area will be again a huge construction zone..

And I didnt mention the plot front of Infinity and the huge Marina Arcade/Madain Hotel site.. and another plot between Torch and MH.

Tram workers also there but at least they are working now

[AppleMac]

Originally Posted by Imre

Tram workers also there but at least they are working now

i suppose extremely slowly is better than nothing..

[Canard]

Originally Posted by Imre

Yes and can be just worst ... Marina 106 can start soon , the other side the Damac Heights rising and lets see when something happening front of the Torch , then the whole area will be again a huge construction zone..

And I didnt mention the plot front of Infinity and the huge Marina Arcade/Madain Hotel site.. and another plot between Torch and MH.

Tram workers also there but at least they are working now

Another 10 years!!!

[biyadoo]

I understand that the construction on individual plots will continue for quite a while, but I'm not convinced that it justifies leaving the whole neighborhood unattended for that long.
A few months ago I met a young European couple who had spent their honeymoon in Dubai and their first comment was how bad all the unfinished construction was; they said that just because of that they would never go back to Dubai. It must be having a very adverse effect on the tourism. They've got to tidy it up a bit, and keep it under control, IMHO.

[Josau]

Originally Posted by biyadoo

A few months ago I met a young European couple who had spent their honeymoon in Dubai and their first comment was how bad all the unfinished construction was; they said that just because of that they would never go back to Dubai. It must be having a very adverse effect on the tourism. They've got to tidy it up a bit, and keep it under control, IMHO.

I always wondered how tourists in any of the beach front hotels can put up with this. You have top prices for these hotels, lead on by the Ritz Carlton, and then you have all this construction around you. The worst thing is, when one thing is finished, they start a new one somewhere else ( e.g. the Crystal Towers, the new beach mall). As a resident in the Marina I have started to avoid "our" beach and go to the beach park, but as a holiday maker, who has put down big bugs to stay at a beach front hotel, this would be a nightmare for me.

[True Blue]

I am losing faith in Dubai due to some of the things I am witnessing now. The failure to complete the landscaping projects. Building on areas that were designated as open public spaces and converting a prime beach spot into more fecking retail. The JBR Walk is back to looking like a war zone! The hope of finishing the place off to look like the proverbial oasis is fading fast.

Avarice is overtaking common sense! The future of tourism IS at risk!

[ostendadler]

The excuse of not doing the street because there is construction in the area is just plain idiocy. Damn there is construction all over the city and yet in one of the most exclusive/densely populated area of the city we have a street that looks like a dark back alley. I don't think people in Silicone Oasis or sports City which are hardly hit master projects have this issue. I don't even think of a nicely landscaped street like you can find in Jumeirah we are just asking for a street that's all!

I am just terrified on how unpractical the marina, JBR area will be once the Tram work will be on bridges/ cutting the road next to the spinneys on Marina walk, the mall on JBR ... damn that is a lot of crazy things to hit the place. we're almost back to 2006 ...

Good ol' days my a**

[noir-dresses]

On a positive note let's not forget when the tram is finished, and if traffic gets out of control they can always increase the amount of tram service in Marina.

That will only be effective if people realize that it's more convenient to take the tram rather than car.

[auzdafluff]

Originally Posted by noir-dresses

On a positive note let's not forget when the tram is finished, and if traffic gets out of control they can always increase the amount of tram service in Marina.

That will only be effective if people realize that it's more convenient to take the tram rather than car.

I'm still highly skeptical about the viability of traditional public transport systems such as trams/rail/buses etc in a hot, humid climate like Dubai.

If there is a chance of you ended up sweating, and you can afford a car, you'll always choose to eschew public transport.

I think for it to work, there needs to be a system like the one that Masdar uses as an example of a future public transport system.

[ostendadler]

The metro works brilliantly so should the tramway. If Dubai is back like most of the indicators say traffic gridlocks will be back as well (if not already) then people will look towards public transport.

JBR is on a standstill nearly every night/weekend. Spending 1 hour to get our of JBR or taking the tram in 5 minutes it sounds like a fair deal for me. Yes summer is a bitch around here but you still have 6-8 month of the year when you can walk around. So let's have faith. The tall block is far from finished and If nothing is done to bring up infrastructure to a normal level this whole area will be a nightmare for all.

in a wet dream if marina 106, marina arcade and pentominium where to restart... mamamia would the area become a glut of angry drivers...



As a little souvenir here is the tall block when it was not so tall ..

[auzdafluff]

Originally Posted by ostendadler

The metro works brilliantly so should the tramway. If Dubai is back like most of the indicators say traffic gridlocks will be back as well (if not already) then people will look towards public transport.

JBR is on a standstill nearly every night/weekend. Spending 1 hour to get our of JBR or taking the tram in 5 minutes it sounds like a fair deal for me. Yes summer is a bitch around here but you still have 6-8 month of the year when you can walk around. So let's have faith. The tall block is far from finished and If nothing is done to bring up infrastructure to a normal level this whole area will be a nightmare for all.

in a wet dream if marina 106, marina arcade and pentominium where to restart... mamamia would the area become a glut of angry drivers...



As a little souvenir here is the tall block when it was not so tall ..

What was that building in the foreground?