Gulf Construction Online

UAE Focus

Update

01 January 2013

Emaar to expand Arabian Ranches

Emaar Properties, the global property developer of iconic real estate assets, has announced further expansion to its established master-planned community, Arabian Ranches, starting with the launch of Casa. The new architecturally stunning Moroccan-style villa community will offer an exclusive lifestyle within the integrated neighbourhood.

Casa will feature six types of Moroccan-style three- and four-bedroom villas, as an extension of the Arabian Ranches gated community, one of the most sought-after lifestyle destinations in the city. A highlight of the new development is an advanced health club, a modern recreation centre with a wide range of leisure amenities, and an extensive choice of food and beverage (F&B) outlets.

New-look Ramada set to open doors

Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman, a premier destination for business and leisure travellers, is ready to open its doors to guests following the completion of its Dh10 million ($2.7 million) hotel makeover.

Sixty additional rooms have been renovated and an executive floor has been added to accommodate the influx of tourists to the country during the peak season.

Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman now has a total inventory of 400 rooms, the biggest in the Northern Emirates. The newly-renovated standard rooms and suites, are available in studio, one- and two-bedroom suites, each quipped with its own kitchen.

HLG, John Holland join forces

The Habtoor Leighton Group (HLG) has joined forces with Australia’s leading engineering, contracting and services provider, John Holland, to create Advance Water and Environment.

Based in Dubai, Advance Water and Environment is set to become the region’s preferred water and environment contractor, combining the local knowledge of HLG with the technical expertise of John Holland’s Water & Enviro business – an industry leader in the delivery of major public sector water and wastewater projects.

GeoEye launches Abu Dhabi office

A leading source of geospatial information and insight, GeoEye has launched a subsidiary sales office in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, that will directly serve customers in the Middle East, including governments, commercial entities and official GeoEye resellers.

The new office, GeoEye Middle East, is expected to expand over time due to increasing regional demand for commercial satellite imagery and information services.

“The office will meet the growing needs of our customers in the Middle East, to best serve our resellers in the region,” said Dr Rao Ramayanam, GeoEye’s senior regional sales director for Middle East and Africa.

Repton School ... set to open this year.

EKI and Sorouh launch Repton School

Evolvence Knowledge Investments (EKI) and Sorouh have announced the launch of Repton School Abu Dhabi due to open in September 2013 on Reem Island, Abu Dhabi. The first school to be built on Reem Island, it will be spread across two campuses, the first of which is a 7,000-sq-m site for 520 children from nursery to class two. Facilities include two multi-purpose halls and a swimming pool.

The second campus will open in 2014 for children in class three and above.

The school has been designed by Dewan Architects and built by System Construct.

RTA awards $5.7m contracts

Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded a contract for the construction of internal roads in Al Quoz (Three and Four) at Dubai at a cost of Dh21.73 million ($5.7 million).

The contract has been awarded to Wade Adams Company. Work was scheduled to start last month and take 300 days to complete.

The projects are part of Phase One of the RTA’s five-year plan (2012–2016) for construction of internal roads at residential districts in Dubai emirate, at a total cost of Dh1 billion ($272 million).

“Phase One of the plan covers five residential areas namely Hatta community, Al Qusais 3 in addition to Al Qouz 2, 3 and 4,” said Mattar Al Tayer, chairman of the board and executive director of the RTA.

The cost of Phase One is Dh150 million ($40.87 million). Phase Two, which will be launched this year covers three residential districts namely Muhaisna Two, and Al Barsha South One and Two, while Phase Three to be initiated next year covers Al Mamzar, Al Nahdah One, and Oud Mateena Three.

Imdaad extends deal with DP

Imdaad, a leading provider of integrated facilities management solutions in the GCC, said it has recently signed the third interim period extension of its existing 10-year contract to provide integrated facility management solutions to DP World, UAE Region, covering all facilities within Jebel Ali Port, which is currently the largest man-made port in the world, and Mina Rashid and Hamriya Port. Imdaad’s scope of work includes mechanical, electrical, plumbing, civil engineering, infrastructure and all other engineering work for the buildings within the three ports.