Gulf Construction Online - Jewel of Jebel Ali

Dubai Review

The Jafza Convention Centre ... now complete.

Jewel of Jebel Ali

01 April 2012

CONSTRUCTION work on the Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (Jafza) Convention Centre, which is set to become a key business landmark on the Dubai landscape, is fast nearing completion.

One of the most prestigious projects in the Jebel Ali Free Zone, the centre is being built over a 72,700-sq-m plot in Jafza North near Gate Five, facing Sheikh Zayed Road and next to the zone’s main gates. Arenco is the consultant on the development, which encompasses a total built-up area of 370,000 sq m, while international built asset consultancy EC Harris is the project and the executive cost manager.

The $354-million complex will house 1,274 offices with its 35-storey twin office towers which rise 138 m above ground level. It will also feature a 320-room four-star business hotel; a convention centre with associated facilities such as 22 meeting and conference rooms equipped with the latest technology, a 700-seat modular auditorium, a banquet hall, exhibition halls, and a data centre. In addition, it will include a 22-outlet food court, two terraced restaurants, fitness centre, recreational area and a four-level, 3,900-capacity car-parking facility.

Al Habtoor Leighton Group was appointed the main contractor on the project in April 2007 and launched work on site in December 2007. Phase One works of the project, which includes the shell-and-core building, is scheduled for handover in mid-2012. Phase Two of the project is to yet to be confirmed by the client.

A model of the project.

Commenting on the project, Mike Cairney, EC Harris’ head of project management Middle East and partner, says: “From the initial meeting, a clear understanding of what the client’s needs and aspirations were for the project and the challenges that were to be considered in achieving the desired outcome were identified.”

He says the primary challenge Jafza has faced over the build period came when the financial crisis struck in late 2008 and 2009. “Over this period, the prudent and highly controlled attention to cash flow had to be carefully planned with the contractor and the client to ensure that work continued to create a building that would retain the maximum asset value.
“The internal works were minimised to save cash flow demands and will be undertaken in a later phase of the works as Dubai regains the momentum and business demands dictate,” he says.

Cairney says this is a strategically important project for Jafza, and further accelerates its vision and ability to attract the very best investors from around the world by providing world-class infrastructure and value-added services and incentives.

He continues: “Jafza’s programme and financial considerations were kept at the forefront of the project at all times and by understanding its needs, the capital exposure and project risks were able to be mitigated in a timely manner.

“Through the provision of consultancy and advice, the client was able to receive accurate and timely information regarding project status and progression, often at short notice, allowing it to make necessary decisions regarding the project quickly.”

Cairney says close working relationships with the design consultants and subcontractors allowed design changes to be implemented quickly without affecting the project progress. “EC Harris is delighted to have been part of the delivery of such an iconic project to date,” he adds.

As the leading business hub of the Middle East, Jafza focuses on long-term customer relationships. Aspiring to be the international business hub of the Middle East, it fosters alliances with global investors by providing them world-class infrastructure supported with quality-driven value-added services and incentives, enabling them to capitalise on huge business opportunities in the region, in the most efficient way.

In its 26 years of operation, Jafza has posted more than 350 times growth in its number of companies growing from 19 companies in 1985 to over 6,700 in 2011. That includes more than 150 of the Global Fortune 500 companies.

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