Gulf Construction Online

UAE Focus

Update

01 November 2011

Greenline busy with contracts

GREENLINE Interiors (GLI) of the UAE is currently working on four projects in Saudi Arabia, which includes fit-out work on two auditoriums inside the Princess Nora Bint Abdul Rahman University, fit-out work for the Yamama Family Villas, the Royal family’s Rawda Palace, and all the special and presidential suites at the King Abdullah International Conference Hotel II.

The projects complements the planned opening of the company’s first office in Saudi Arabia, in Riyadh, which is expected to be followed by a Qatari branch before the year’s end.

In the UAE, GLI has just wrapped up work for GH – The Residence, which is an extension and exact replica to the iconic Grosvenor House hotel in Dubai.

Also, the company is finishing work on the Capital Plaza hotel in Abu Dhabi.

Dubai-Tokyo design venture launched

BARE Global Group, a Dubai-based development, design and project management company, and AGE, a Tokyo-based interior design company, have formed a joint venture to provide a premium design and management solution to the Middle East and India.

AGE will bring world-renowned interior design experience and creativity to the partnership, whilst Bare Global will bring not only a wealth of management expertise, including project coordination, documentation and production control processes, but also a firm knowledge of the Middle East region.

Bare Global specialises in design and project management for the hospitality and entertainment sectors.

Steelmaker’s profit soars

EMIRATES Steel, the largest integrated steel producer in the UAE, reported that earnings for the first nine months before interest tax and depreciation had more than doubled year on year, and that net profit for the first nine months showed a 70 per cent increase on 2010’s full year result.

Despite the relatively challenging conditions faced in the domestic market, Emirates Steel said it had increased its market share to approximately 60 per cent and has significantly expanded its export business.

SAS ceilings for tower

SAS International has supplied a bespoke metal ceiling solution which is currently being installed Aldar at Properties’ Trust Tower in Abu Dhabi. The tower offers 59 levels and 72,000 sq m of office space.

The radial SAS System 330 ceiling system was specified by Foster + Partners, with more than 300 different trapezoidal panels. Specially-made panels will be installed around columns and at the building’s exterior to allow a continuous shadow-gap, avoiding on-site wastage. Work is due to span over the coming months with the launch of the property planned for mid-2012.

The Villa starts delivering

DUBAI Properties Group (DPG), a member of Dubai Holding, has delivered Phase Two of The Villa, in Dubailand. With the children’s playground ready for use, along with upcoming landscaping and facilities, The Villa has blossomed into a mature community offering a quality lifestyle with easy access to Dubai’s shopping, entertainment and leisure facilities.

Phase One of the development is complete with all landscaping and infrastructure in place.

Featuring 540 Spanish-style villas, the 35-million-sq-ft development features individual plots ranging from 5,500 sq ft to 12,000 sq ft in area.

Mapei to set up office at DIP

MAPEI, a global leader in adhesives, sealants and chemical products for the building industry, is set to base its new offices at Dubai Investments Park (DIP), the largest integrated business and residential community in the Middle East.

A part of Mapei’s expansion plans in high-growth markets, the 12,000-sq-ft office space will help centralise and consolidate operations to cater to the UAE market more efficiently. The relocation of the offices from Al Qouz complements Mapei’s upgrading of its 40,000-sq-m state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, also housed at DIP, with a wide range of technologically advanced products and services.

Bawabat Al Sharq on target

BANIYAS Investment and Development Company (BID), the investment arm of Baniyas Sports Club, has announced that the construction works on Phase Two villas of Bawabat Al Sharq, the Dh3-billion ($816.7 million) world-class, mixed-use development in Bani Yas, is progressing as per schedule. Infrastructure works for this phase are currently under way.

Royal International Construction is currently working at full speed on site, and 58 villas within Phase Two, which are due to be delivered in next month (December), are now close to completion.

In addition, works on the remaining 71 villas, which are due to be handed over in June 2012, are progressing as per schedule.

Tratos subsidiary opens Jafza office

MODULAR Wiring Systems, a subsidiary of electrical cable manufacturer Tratos, has opened its first overseas office in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza).

The new office is fully staffed with personnel trained and experienced in Modular Wiring Systems’ product portfolio and services, allowing the UK-based company to target countries across the UAE and beyond. The same exacting level of professional service provided in the UK, from assisting in design through to system supply and after-sales support, can now be offered across the Middle East, the company said.