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

[fahed]

No amr .. still nothing. They still cannot give a final word of what to do in that strategic area. In addition, there are other multi-billion projects going on.

[amr]

I hope they builda super mall there. Bigger than the abu dhabi mall

[flares]

It will be along the lines of a souk that it replaced with some large stunning skyscrapers atop - I believe someone is paying all the displaced businesses during construction so assume they will be rehoused in the finished building. The realistic finish date after redesign must be 2009 now - only 3 years late. I think it will be a bit special though when complete as the redesign option couldn't have been easy to make a case for.

The retaining wall is in but the temporary anchors will be doing a bit more work than originally thought.

flrs

[Krazy]

Finally!!!!!!!

ALDAR Properties lays the foundations for regeneration of Central Market

ALDAR Properties PJSC announced today that construction is well underway on the re-development of Central Market located in the heart of Abu Dhabi's Commercial Business District.


L- R ALDAR Chairman Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh and ALDAR Chief Operating Officer Ronald Barrott at the Central Market Site.

A ceremony was held on the site today to mark the cutting of the first pile which will form the substructure for the project.

ALDAR Chairman Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh said, 'Laying the foundations marks a significant step in the project. Recent months have seen extensive preparation work; to get the site ready for this major new development which will become a central focus for those living, working and shopping in Abu Dhabi.'

The extensive plans for Central Market will rejuvenate the area, providing residents and visitors alike with a one stop entertainment, leisure and retail destination. The development incorporates gardens and piazzas as well as three significant towers.

The 5 hectare site located at the intersection of Airport Road with Khalifa and Hamdan Streets was the site of Abu Dhabi's Central Souq until March 2005, when the old structure was demolished to make way for a major regeneration project for the city.

The new development - constructed over the next 3 and half years with completion scheduled for 2010, will help meet the demand for office space, premier residential apartments, international hotels and high end retail space within the city. The development also includes a modern Arabian Souq.

The construction contract for the piling work is a joint venture between local contractor Middle East Foundation Group and Kuwait based Mushrif Contracting. These companies formed a partnership, offering expertise and experience on the development of sites within built up areas. MEFG have completed work within the UAE on Burj Dubai, Dubai International Airport, Dubai Marina and Internet City, among others.

Youseef Abou Haka, Area Manager representing Mushrif National Construction and Middle East Foundation Group joint venture (JV) said, 'The Central Market site offers real challenges as the foundations are more than 20m below ground level to allow for the provision of adequate parking facilities.'

'The timetable, the geological conditions and the water pumping routine across the site - which is surrounded by high-rise occupied buildings - make this job significantly more complex than any other we have faced. We have created innovative work practices to construct the strongest foundations.'

ALDAR's Central Market project will be completed in phases, with delivery of the new Souq scheduled for mid 2008. The substructure work will be completed by the end of the year and includes piling, excavation and dewatering.

Chief Operations Officer for ALDAR Ronald Barrott commented, 'We have spent considerable time refining the design for the development to ensure that what we construct today will continue to be viable and valuable to the city in years to come. I am delighted that we have been able to maintain such good progress on the Central Market re-development and meet our strict construction timelines.'

'It is a prime example of ALDAR's mission to develop sustainable built environments which add value to the community.'

Further announcements regarding the Central Market design and facilities will be made in forthcoming months.

[Abu Dhabi Boy]

Central Market Video 8 MB

First images of the new design

[malec]

Supertall!!

[Krazy]

the one in the middle looks to be close to 400m which is very considering this is a high density residential zone and traditionally not a region for supertalls for AD

[Fluppet]

Whoah, that design has changed quite a bit compared to what was on the Aldar website...

[SA BOY]

Does anyone know anything about this project. I heard 1 x 88f and 2 x 58f towers will be there and piling is underway, so im sure there is a sign board or something up.

[SA BOY]

thats them

[Abu Dhabi Boy]

website : www.centralmarket.ae


Abu Dhabi, Nov. 26th, 2006 (WAM) - Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs, attended here this evening a ceremony hosted by ALDAR Properties to launch development of the Abu Dhabi Central Market.

Sheikh Mansour, accompanied by Ahmed Al Sayegh, Chairman of ALDAR Properties, was briefed on the project which will be developed at a total cost of Dh 4.5 billion.

Al Sayegh said in a press conference that citizens of Abu Dhabi have special bonds with the Central Market, so named by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

The redevelopment comprises two 4 and 5 star hotels, apartments, offices, stores and a unique sky park.

He added that work on the old Souq is expected to be completed by mid 2008 while the whole development is scheduled for opening in 2009.

Asked if Abu Dhabi is experiencing a 'property bubble', Al Sayegh said that the emirate is witnessing a rapid development in every walk of life. He referred to the increasing demand for both residential and office apartments.

The Central Market development is meant to redefine the city centre of Abu Dhabi. It will become a bustling meeting point for thousands of residents and visitors to the city, offering great deal of entertainment, leisure and shopping experience," Al Sayegh said.

[Abu Dhabi Boy]

Facilities & Features


Hotel Tower
-58 stories
-Gross area of 56,000 sqm
-250 keys + 200 serviced apartments
-Mix of one and two beds + studios

Residential Tower
-88 stories
-130,000 sqm
-525 number of apartments
-1, 2, 3 and 4 beds incorporating duplex, triplex and penthouses

Office Tower
-58 stories
-90,000 sqm

Retail and Entertainment Podium
100,000 sqm of retail commercial leisure entertainment and food and beverage units

New Arabian Souq
23,000 sqm

Car Parking
5,250 cars

Business Hotel
120 rooms approximately

Project Configuration
5 levels of car parking belowground

Retail and Entertainment Package
5 floors with roof terraces over the entire podium structure forming formal gardens out of which 3 towers rise, in excess of 4 hectares

Value
5 billion AED

[Nasrawi]

Wow.

I love it. Great quality renderings from Abu Dhabi (and Abu Dhabi Boy) always.

This city is getting cooler everyday. I'm jealous.

Edit: Mashallah

[THE DUBAI GUYS]

Al Dar Properties reveals Dh4.5b Central Market plans

By Ahmed A. Elewa, Staff Reporter


Abu Dhabi: Al Dar Properties yesterday revealed the master plan and award winning design of its flagship Dh 4.5 billion Central Market.

The development which is scheduled for completion by May 2010 will be delivered in phases, first of which will be the traditional Souq by 2008.

"The owners of traditional shops in the old Souq will be operating once again in the heart of the city, as we shall give them the outlets free of charge," Ahmad Ali Al Sayegh, chairman of Al Dar said to the reporters.

Bidders

The project stretches on an area of 650,000 square metres, and comprises of a 374 metres, 88 floors high residential tower, and a 280 metres, 60 floors commercial tower, as well as a 254 metres, 58 floors hotel building.

An elevated park stretching on an area of 238,000 square metres will provide for the ambience of the marketplace.

"There are so far four pre-qualified bidders for the construction tender, and these are ACC, B-Six of Belgium, Nasa Multiplex, and a consortium of Taisai, Samsung, and Arabtech. The winning bid will be announced in January, explained Ronald Barrot, Al Dar's chief executive officer.

R

[AltinD]

Amaizing project and design.


However I couldn't stop loughing at this pic:

[Krazy]

Blending world-class architecture with the heritage of Abu Dhabi, ALDAR reveals Central Market

ALDAR Properties PJSC announced its flagship project Central Market today, revealing the new skyline of Abu Dhabi and the new heart and soul of the city.


Central Market

Central Market is set to become the city's core 'live, work, play' destination in the tallest cluster of buildings world wide. Rejuvenating the heart and capturing the soul of the city, Central Market is a true mixed-use development, open 24-hours a day and catering to Abu Dhabi's booming business, retail and residential demands.

Creating the perfect harmony between tradition and modern innovation, Central Market combines world-class architecture with local heritage. Foster + Partners created the masterplan, which was recently awarded the prestigious EG Retail and Future Project Award at the international retail property exhibition MAPIC in Cannes.

'We recognize how firmly the local population is attached to the old market and its history,' said ALDAR Chairman Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh. 'The new Central Market will redefine the centre of Abu Dhabi while respecting its heritage as the daily meeting point for thousands of residents and visitors to the city. Central Market will become the landmark for the city."

Central Market will also become the lifestyle destination of the city, home to an Arabian souq, high-end retail outlets, fine dining restaurants, world class hotels, state-of-the-art office space, luxurious apartments, outdoor water features, rooftop gardens and beautifully landscaped greenery.

The new souq will aim to recapture the heritage of the site by offering authentic Middle Eastern goods including textiles, jewellery, gold, spices, perfume, carpets and gifts. However, it is the mix of the souq and the high-end outlets and boutiques in the retail podium that will make Central Market truly exciting and original.

"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 possibilities," said Chief Executive Officer, Ron Barrott. 'It will be a unique experience and the first of its kind in the region, as we are already in negotiation with some of the most exciting and original names in the retail world."

Central Market will address the constantly expanding needs of the thriving capital, as Abu Dhabi's growing business and tourism requirements place major demands on property of all levels.

[Nasrawi]

From RTKL:

[Krazy]

by Altin

[DG]

very bad project for such location, it will ruin the whole AD's skyline. :-/

[Nasrawi]

Originally Posted by DG

very bad project for such location, it will ruin the whole AD's skyline. :-/

AD's skyline isn't that great. It has an impressive density but it's full of midrises all at the same height plus a couple of taller buildings at the corniche. It doesn't look balanced and doesn't have anything particularly standing out.

I think it needs more projects like this to give it something unique in its skyline.