#UNDER C: CENTRAL MARKET, 88F+55F+58F+16F Res+Hotel+Com+Hotel, 382m+278m+255m+?m

[Abu Dhabi Boy]

www.aldar.com

The Central Market redevelopment is a prestigious and fully integrated mixed-use scheme at the heart of Abu Dhabi City. It is a landmark development for both Abu Dhabi and for ALDAR.

Designed by international prize-winning architect RTKL following an international design competition in which five of the world’s leading urban designers took part, RTKL has been commissioned by ALDAR to progress the project through to construction. To supplement and enhance this landmark development, ALDAR has also appointed award-winning architects Jafar Tukan and Rasem Badran to design this project’s new Mosque and Souk; whose achievements are evident throughout the Middle East and worldwide – both of them have won many major architectural awards, including the coveted Aga Khan Award for Architecture.

The overall redevelopment comprises apartments, an Arabian souk, branded retail outlets, food outlets and restaurants for all tastes, grade A office space, world class hotels, and parking for in excess of 5,000 cars. The development will also provide new civil services including a fire station, bus and taxi interchange points.

The Central Market is set against a pinnacle of four towers of 35 floors each, signifying the Hamdan and Khalifa Street addresses, over a multi-level podium. The redevelopment will offer an internal vista of green parks, pools and fountains, or views overlooking the Gulf . The bridge across Khalifa Street will connect to the new Souk. The new Souk will encapsulate Rasem Badran’s flair for traditional style and detailing of a Souk typical of the region, but set within a cosmopolitan area. Similarly the new Mosque will be located within its own piazza to provide, a tranquil and pleasing environment integrated with fountains and gardens.

Construction will follow a fast-track programme, with the first phase targeted for completion in the autumn of 2007.

Location

A true city centre location close to the Corniche, Central Market is extremely accessible via three main arterial routes. Airport Road (2nd St) runs parallel along the south-western boundary of the development, whilst Hamdan Street (5th St) abuts the south-eastern boundary with the main access from Khalifa Street (3rd St).

Features And Facilities

• International landmark development by architects RTKL, Jafar Tukan and Rasem Badran
• 24 hour live, work leisure city centre destination
• Parking for 5,000 cars
• Traditional Arabian Souk
• Unique shopping environment
• International Grade A offices for lease
• Modern luxury apartments offering great views plus gardens, terraces or balconies
• Hotels and serviced apartments with sea views
• Outstanding range of indoor and outdoor leisure facilities
• Superb choice of cafes, bars and restaurants

[Fluppet]

Whoah! Nice! Thanks for that!
On a separate issue: How are you doing Krazy? You haven't said much about Abu Dhabi projects for a while, are you still there?

[Dubai-Lover]

this looks like a great project and aldar is responsible for building lots of new towers in abu dhabi

excited about more info!

[Aloosh]

this is amazzzzing, i honestly didnt think there would be high rises here..
i like how abu dhabi is advancing but steadily and not as fast tracked as dubai

[city of the future]

this is the quality Dubai needs!

[ahmedr]

^I second that.
another render:

[Krazy]

These towers certainly seem to break the height barrier existing all over Abu Dhabi. At least, that's what I can make out from the renders.... exciting stuff.

[Dubai-Lover]

the website says they won't be taller than 35 storeys

[Krazy]

Does Abu Dhabi city have some sorta height restriction or something?

[Krazy]

Aldar calls Central Market tender

Aldar Properties has issued a pre-qualification invitation for the redevelopment of the Central Market in Abu Dhabi. Interested companies are required to have high-rise experience above 35-storeys, and experience of single projects with a value of more than $500m.

[Krazy]

Hamdan Street to bear traffic load from Saturday

Abu Dhabi: Hamdan Street in the capital will bear the burden of heavy traffic for 18 months from Saturday following the closure of a section of the busy Khalifa Street.

The part of the street between Heritage Square Roundabout on Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum (Airport) Road and Liwa Street Intersection will be closed both directions as the construction work on a project for the new Central Souq is carried out.



The new market is being constructed on the Old Souq site from Hamdan Street, stretching over Khalifa Street as a modern multi-storey building.

With underground parking to solve the problem of the lack of parking for cars, it will also contain mosques, restaurants, bank branches, public toilets, entertainment centres, green areas and other facilities.

Costing about Dh350 million, the new air-conditioned market will be based on traditional Arab design, covering 60,000 square metres.

A section of the road on Khalifa Street has been closed for the construction work by the Traffic and Patrols Department of Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters.

The department, however, provided alternate routes for traffic, particularly those getting into adjacent commercial and residential areas.

The department, through media advertisements, has also drawn the attention of road users to be careful and follow traffic instructions and to comply with the fixed speed limits and use the alternative routes.

According to motorists, almost half of the burden of the closed portion of the street will fall on Hamdan Street, which is already congested with traffic throughout the day. The majority of the traffic on Khalifa Street normally heads in this particular section, stretching for about 300 metres.

Abdul Gaffar, a Pakistani taxi driver, said: "Eighteen months is a long period for such a busy stretch of road to be closed in the city. Khalifa, Hamdan and Zayed the First (Electra) Streets are the lifeline of Abu Dhabi city. Closure of any of the sections of these streets means more traffic problems. The most affected will be Hamdan and Liwa Streets, as residents of the area and those in the commercial buildings will be using these two streets as alternate routes."

Another motorist said it will be tough to drive on any of the nearby roads in the evenings. Ali Ahmad Al Khoury, a UAE national, said: "This section of Khalifa Street is a very important part of the city. It will definitely affect the traffic on nearby roads. But I believe nothing else can be done as this project has to be completed. Looking at the area, there is no option but to close the section."

Entry into area will not be a problem official

According to Abu Dhabi Traffic Department, the alternative routes due to the closure on Khalifa Street have been planned considering all the possible hindrances and problems residents might face.

"There might be a little burden on Hamdan and Liwa Streets, but the entry of residents and those getting into adjacent commercial areas will not be a problem at all," said an official.

"Residents and traffic can still have easy entry and exit accesses available on Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum (Airport) Road, Hamdan Street, Liwa Street and Corniche Street. The plan has been drawn very carefully for the convenience of residents."

But residents on either side of the affected section on Khalifa Street said the closure means difficult access to their residences and longer walks. Amit Kumar, an Indian resident, said: "We already have parking problems under our buildings. After the closure of the section, we have to park our vehicles at a distance and walk. This will also congest these residential areas as some of the entry and exit points will be closed and all traffic will move through the only available points."

Munir Kermani, another resident, said he will have to take longer routes to enter his residential area. He said: "We have to take the Corniche Street and enter the area. We also expect congested traffic flow entering these areas through limited accesses."

[Fluppet]

Gosh, I'm surprised they're going to close it for so long... I'm sure they will try to complete the building work that requires the closure of the road as quickly as possible, but it is still going to take 18 months, so it must be something really big. It says "The new market is being constructed on the Old Souq site from Hamdan Street, stretching over Khalifa Street as a modern multi-storey building." Does this mean there will be a multi-story building stretching over the road? That would be really cool.

[Krazy]

I wonder if thats true!

[Dubai-King]

Hamdan Street is already insanely crowded as it is without one of the main roads blocked.

The next 18 months are going to be a disaster for residents.

[Dubai-Lover]

Aldar reveals retail plans for new Central Market Abu Dhabi

ALDAR Properties PJSC revealed the retail plans at the heart of its proposed redevelopment of Central Market in Abu Dhabi at Dubai's Middle East Shopping Centre Exhibition.


The heart of Abu Dhabi revitalized by the finest branded outlets and restaurants

The exhibition took place on December 13 and 14 at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel's Conference Centre.

'Retail and entertainment will be an important focus of ALDAR's Central Market redevelopment, which will rise as a superb and fully integrated mixed-use scheme in the centre of Abu Dhabi,' said ALDAR's Chairman Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh.

He added: 'This is an important site which holds a place in the heart of the people of Abu Dhabi. We at ALDAR have a responsibility to deliver a development that is truly worthy of the heart of our great city.'

The Central Market has been developed on a site of six hectares, with a built-up area of approximately 610,000 square metres. It has been conceived as a premier live, work, and entertainment destination.

The redevelopment comprises an Arabian Souq, branded retail outlets, food outlets and restaurants for all tastes, grade A office space, world class hotels, tower apartments, extensive green space - including a complete 'sky park' that cascades down into the retail areas, plus parking for over 5,000 cars.

ALDAR intends that Central Market will redefine the city centre of Abu Dhabi. It will become the natural daily meeting point for thousands of residents and visitors to the city. And its energetic heartbeat will be driven by the choice of retail offerings - many of which will be new to Abu Dhabi.

The traditional Arabian Souq will aim to recapture the heritage of the site by offering authentic Middle Eastern goods including textiles, jewellery, gold, spices, perfume, tailoring, carpets and gifts.

However it is the high-end lifestyle stores and boutiques in the retail podium, which will make Central Market truly exciting and original. These floors will be occupied by the world's leading retail brands covering all possible categories, from specialist food stores to designer fashion, with at least one level becoming the 'Bond Street' of Abu Dhabi.

ALDAR CEO Christopher Sims commented: 'This will not be a 'Mall' in the traditional sense, but will be a destination offering the visitor or resident myriad leisure, entertainment and retail experiences.' It will be a unique experience - the first of its kind in the UAE. We are already in negotiation with some of the most exciting and original names in the retail world.'

The Central Market is located in Abu Dhabi near the intersection of Khalifa Street and Airport Road. The development will open progressively with the souq opening in 2007, the retail podium at the end of 2007 and the entire scheme by the end of 2008.

[Fluppet]

Can't wait!

[THE DUBAI GUYS]

ALDAR cancels central market tender
CONSTRUCTION UAE
14 Apr 2006
Local developer ALDAR Properties has notified prospective bidders for the souk and basement package on the Central Market redevelopment that the tender has been cancelled. The client is understood to be looking at a redesign. Eight companies were prequalified to bid for the contract, which covered the construction of a five-storey basement for parking with a built-up area of 61,000 square metres, and a three-storey souk with a built-up area of 26,000 square metres (MEED 3:2:06).

R

[Ruminative]

[Fluppet]

Redesigning it again?! I thought construction would be well under way by now...

[amr]

any updates on teh redesign. I hope it is going to be a super mall just like the mall of the emirates.

Abu Dhabi needs alot of malls. (It has just got two malls)