#PROJECT: AL RAHA BEACH DEVELOPMENT

[Krazy]

Al Raha Beach Resort
Project Cost: AED 269 million

Project Description: The resort, shopping and leisure complex includes a five-star hotel, beach chalets, shopping mall and cinema complex - all overlooking the beach. A vast stretch of beach from the hotel to the extent of 800 metres has been reclaimed from the sea. This is the first time that HEE undertook such a specialised marine works project.

Scope of Work: The contract included the construction of the project’s two main components – the hotel and shopping mall/cinema in addition to the external works, roads, swimming pools, hard and soft landscaping, fountains, pool bar, gazebo, children's play area (wet and dry), a unique Shell Restaurant and parking.
The project also included the plant room (Chiller yard) with all electromechanical services for chalets and complete external electromechanical network.

Outstanding Features: The Shell Restaurant is a unique structure having ground and mezzanine floors with two outlets on each floor and one service elevator. The whole structure resembles a seashell. The precast concrete shells were prepared in specially prepared moulds which were then erected on site.
A special feature of the interior of the shopping mall is its central area, which is covered with a skylight dome. The external façade has a stone rendered finish and curtain wall panels, while the decorative internal finishes of both buildings are mostly pre-finish GRC.

Challenges faced: One of the major challenges faced was when they starting the piling work and the foundations were two wave breakers made of giant rocks – one at the hotel site and another at the shopping mall site – which had to be completely removed to gain the clearance and do the backfilling into the beach.

In certain areas, massive bedding rocks below the foundation levels had to be removed in order to drive the 75cm diameter pile casings down to the required depths of 14-16 metres, but this was solved by bringing in a huge excavator with a 20 metre arm to dig below the foundation level and remove these huge rocks.

With the hotel building extending 20 metres into the sea, and the shopping mall extending 34 metres into the water in parts, the backfilling was another major operation involving thousands of cubic metres of infilling material.

[Krazy]

New Aldar beach project details

Aldar Properties is set to unveil details of its huge Al Raha Beach development at the Construct Light and Building 2005 Show in Abu Dhabi on April 13. This massive scheme is set to form a new gateway to Abu Dhabi, which is keen to catch-up with Dubai's construction boom.

[Krazy]

ALDAR properties PJSC to participate in Construct Light+ Building 2005

Apr 9, 2005

ALDAR properties PJSC to participate in Construct Light+ Building 2005 Abu Dhabi, April 9, 2005 (WAM)--ALDAR Properties PJSC announced today that the company will participate in Construct Light + Building 2005.

This international exhibition will take place from April 10 to 13, 2005, at the General Exhibition Corporation (GEC) in Abu Dhabi. Opening hours are from 10 am to 1.30 pm and from 5 pm to 9 pm.

ALDAR Properties will use this international exhibition as an opportunity to showcase its recently announced projects, with particular focus on the Al Raha Beach Development.

Visitors to the ALDAR stand will have the opportunity to learn more about this extensive real estate project, which will transform the existing Al Raha Beach area into the new gateway to Abu Dhabi.

The Al Raha Beach development will become a lifestyle destination embracing residential, commercial, cultural, entertainment and public amenities - and will enhance Abu Dhabi's natural wealth of water and beach frontage.

Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Chairman of ALDAR Properties, commented: "We are glad to be invited by the General Exhibition Corporation to take part in this exhibition." "We expect it to bring together architects and technical planners and provide information on new systems and concepts, materials, equipments and even building planning software. The philosophy of the show is 'integrated planning from the very beginning' - and this matches perfectly with ALDAR Properties' own approach." Ahmad Humaid Al Mazrouie, Director General of the GEC, added: "We are glad that ALDAR Properties, as one of the premier real estate development, management and investment companies of the UAE will participate in this show." The UAE and the entire region sees a tremendous demand for real estate projects and this growth will continue in the next years.

The UAE has invested more than 26% of its GDP on fixed assets over the past three years.

ALDAR Properties' senior management researches and secures land and development sites through government concession, long-term leasehold or via land transfer. Projects are undertaken according to the strictest criteria of quality, yields and investment profiles.

ALDAR Properties also redevelops existing properties, provided that these are capable of adding value to the company's portfolio of assets. Its operations are hallmarked by close coordination and cooperation between the company's development, project management and property management teams.

[Trances]

"Abu Dhabi, which is keen to catch-up with Dubai's construction boom."
do they think they can ! Just again thinking about the resouces if they do

[Krazy]

Originally Posted by Trances

"Abu Dhabi, which is keen to catch-up with Dubai's construction boom."
do they think they can ! Just again thinking about the resouces if they do

Abu Dhabi has the resources, what it lacks is motivation and vision.

[DarkBlueBoss]

Abu Dhabi municipality is revising its plans for a major public housing project in preparation for an impending property ownership law. Al Foah Township in Al Ain was originally designed to be a municipality housing project, and was almost complete towards the end of last year. However, a rethink of Abu Dhabi’s housing policy by the new government of the UAE has led to the decision to bring in the private sector, according to a senior member of the team responsible for the project.


(Model image of the Al Raha development)


“The project has evolved into a standalone community with investment opportunities for the private sector,” said Lewis May, senior vice president and director of planning for Page Southerland Page, a major consultant on the project.

“Bringing in the private sector creates a lot of issues regarding ownership and so on,” he said. “There is a big commitment that we do not turn this into a luxury housing project. However, there is a belief in government that people cannot continue to rely on the government supplying everything.”

The population of Al Ain is expected to double in the next ten years, and the strain on both public finances, and the environment in and around Al Ain, is of concern to the government.

“There will be a mix of low-cost housing and higher end of properties, as well as community facilities and services.

We are looking to create employment centres to make this more of a sustainable community, not just a housing project.”

“Al Foah will be the gateway to Al Ain from Dubai, so it is a very important area.”

Elsewhere in Abu Dhabi, Aldar properties, the property company that last week floated on the Abu Dhabi Securities Market, has announced the master plan for Al Raha, the city district it is building on reclaimed land at Al Raha Beach.

The dhs54 billion project will be built over an area of 12 million square metres. Buildings will range from 60 stories to low-rise developments at the water’s edge. It will support a population of 120,000 inhabitants, and will be integrated with Khalifa Town ‘A’. Among the features of the development will be a water taxi service joining other islands in Abu Dhabi and the International Aiport.

It is widely believed that projects within the Al Raha resort will be open to freehold when the law allowing such transactions is finalised. Last week Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, CEO of Mubadala Development Corporation, told the Australian Business Council that Abu Dhabi is considering a law to allow foreign nationals to own property in the UAE’s largest emirate.

[Dubai-Lover]

120k people in this project

seems like all gulf countries and cities have big plans to attract millions of people

[Bahraini Spirit]

Great to see Abu Dhabi movin on with a mega project, and I'd have to admit, the cost of this one is amazin. Am sure this will benefit the emirate big time.

[Dubai-King]

I remember the days when Al Raha was just a desert with a beach.

It will be nothing short of amazing to see it become a full-fledged city.

[Krazy]

Originally Posted by Dubai-Lover

120k people in this project

seems like all gulf countries and cities have big plans to attract millions of people

How many people are expected to live in Dubai Marina and JLT?

[Krazy]

Al Raha sales open

Tuesday, June 14 - 2005

The first phase of Al Raha Gardens by Abu Dhabi-based Aldar Properties goes on sale today. A total of 363 townhouses and villas costing between $380,000 and $817,000 are being offered to UAE nationals only and are expected to sell out within hours.

[Krazy]

Al Raha Gardens sold out

Buyers rushed the release properties at Al Raha Gardens yesterday, where about 150 investors bought up all 365 villas and townhouses on offer in 45 minutes. The first phase of the Aldar Proprieties development is restricted to UAE nationals.

[Krazy]

45 minutes! Were they giving them out for free or something !?

[Krazy]

Hundreds rush to buy homes in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi investors snapped up 363 town houses and villas offered by Aldar Properties at the Al Raha Gardens in less than an hour yesterday.
"The first phase of the development was sold out within 45 minutes this morning," Ahmad Ali Al Sayegh, Chairman, Aldar Properties, said.

"This has been a tremendous success for Aldar and it marks our first step in meeting the pent-up demand for nationals to purchase their own accommodation."

Shaikh Surour Bin Mohammad Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Presidential Court, visited the Al Raha Gardens Sales Centre.

"Such a development has been long awaited in Abu Dhabi. The concept and specifications are of an extremely high standard," he said.

An Aldar spokesman told Gulf News that some 150 nationals bought the 363 townhouses and villas.

"The sales were on a first-come-first-served basis and therefore not all those who queued got the opportunity to buy. Quite a number purchased up to three properties," he said.

An estimated 600 people queued since 11pm on Monday and there was a rush when the doors opened yesterday morning.

Many were disappointed, throwing their hands up in despair after allotment closed.

"I came and joined the queue at four in the morning and I am very disappointed that my dream of getting to buy a house did not turn to reality," said a UAE national who works for a local bank.

"Initially, sales should be limited to only one unit per person. Later, they can limit it to three or more per person."

Others like Abdul Jabbar Al Sayegh, Chairman, Al Sayegh Brothers, said they didn't want to stand in the queue for long and hence decided not to buy while other nationals are awaiting the law to be passed before purchasing property.

Aldar advertised the properties as "freehold".

A number of developers have been selling "freehold" properties in Dubai. However, a law regulating the property sector, which could introduce freehold ownership, is expected to be announced later this year.

Property
New law to regulate ownership rights

The new property law will streamline all aspects related to property in the country, sources told Gulf News.

"A proper land registration department that will register property will monitor all aspects of property ownership and regularise the system," the source said.

[Krazy]

Image from ALDAR website

[Abu Dhabi Boy]

some photos of Al Raha Gardens project

www.alrahagardens.com

[Krazy]

Project: Al Raha Gardens
Location: Al Raha Beach, Abu Dhabi
Developer: ALDAR
Type: Freehold (First freehold property in Abu Dhabi)
Features:
* 363 residential townhouses and villas
* 2 prestigious schools, 1 kindergarten
* Polo club and equestrian facilites including stables for personal horses and * Riding school
* Fitness club
* Offices
* Hotel
* Supermarket
* Retail
* F&B and restaurant
* Children’s play areas
* Adjoining Sheraton Golf course
* Complete lifestyle offering
* World-class quality,amenity,facility and estate management by ALDAR Properties PJSC

www.alrahagardens.com

Master plan





Location map



Images from the official website

[Krazy]

Hundreds rush to buy homes in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi investors snapped up 363 town houses and villas offered by Aldar Properties at the Al Raha Gardens in less than an hour yesterday.
"The first phase of the development was sold out within 45 minutes this morning," Ahmad Ali Al Sayegh, Chairman, Aldar Properties, said.

"This has been a tremendous success for Aldar and it marks our first step in meeting the pent-up demand for nationals to purchase their own accommodation."

Shaikh Surour Bin Mohammad Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Presidential Court, visited the Al Raha Gardens Sales Centre.

"Such a development has been long awaited in Abu Dhabi. The concept and specifications are of an extremely high standard," he said.

An Aldar spokesman told Gulf News that some 150 nationals bought the 363 townhouses and villas.

"The sales were on a first-come-first-served basis and therefore not all those who queued got the opportunity to buy. Quite a number purchased up to three properties," he said.

An estimated 600 people queued since 11pm on Monday and there was a rush when the doors opened yesterday morning.

Many were disappointed, throwing their hands up in despair after allotment closed.

"I came and joined the queue at four in the morning and I am very disappointed that my dream of getting to buy a house did not turn to reality," said a UAE national who works for a local bank.

"Initially, sales should be limited to only one unit per person. Later, they can limit it to three or more per person."

Others like Abdul Jabbar Al Sayegh, Chairman, Al Sayegh Brothers, said they didn't want to stand in the queue for long and hence decided not to buy while other nationals are awaiting the law to be passed before purchasing property.

Aldar advertised the properties as "freehold".

A number of developers have been selling "freehold" properties in Dubai. However, a law regulating the property sector, which could introduce freehold ownership, is expected to be announced later this year.

Property
New law to regulate ownership rights

The new property law will streamline all aspects related to property in the country, sources told Gulf News.

"A proper land registration department that will register property will monitor all aspects of property ownership and regularise the system," the source said.

[Krazy]

Have a look at the masterplan, this project is big! Also, have a look at the location map, hardly any space left on the main island! No wonder they chose Raha Beach.

[Krazy]

Thanks Abu Dhabi Boy! This one has its own thread now.