Gulf Construction Online - Quiet island retreat

Abu Dhabi - UAE

Jubail Island ... the masterplan.

Quiet island retreat

01 September 2020

Early infrastructure is well under way to create a 400-hectare low-density development in a pristine natural environment on an island located between Yas Island and Saadiyat Island – a 15 minutes’ drive from downtown Abu Dhabi.

Nestled amidst mangrove forests and coastal estuaries with more than 30 km of waterfront, the Dh5-billion ($1.36 billion) Jubail Island development will comprise six distinct village communities featuring a mix of high-end and mid-range residential, as well as retail units, offices and restaurants.

The six communities include Nad Al Dhabi, Seef Al Jubail, Ain Al Maha, Souk Al Jubail, Marfaa Al Jubail and Bed’a Al Jubail.

The project is being developed by the UAE-based Jubail Island Investment Company (JIIC).

The new interchange will include dual-lane entrance and exit ramps, as well as a fully-signalised bridge crossing over the highway to connect with the island’s road network.

A number of enabling and infrastructure deals have been awarded to kickstart work on the prestigious development. The latest contract award came last month with a Dh86-million ($23.4 million) interchange deal to Gulf Contractors Company (GCC). The scope of the project includes the construction of a new highway interchange on Sheikh Khalifa Highway (E-12) to provide convenient public access to the first phase of community development on Jubail Island.

Work on the new interchange is slated for completion in August 2021 and it will include dual-lane entrance and exit ramps, as well as a fully signalised bridge crossing over the highway to connect with the development’s internal roadway network.

JIIC’s Managing Director Mounir Haidar comments: “We are delighted to confirm that the Jubail Island project is proceeding on schedule, with crucial infrastructure works already being executed in a timely manner and in accordance with highest international standards.

“Works on the new highway interchange continue to provide visibility for the project and demonstrate that our infrastructure construction is proceeding as planned.

“With infrastructure works having started in early January 2020, we are excited to confirm that works on villa construction will begin by the year-end, and villa handover is slated for 2023.”

Haidar remarks that Jubail Island is poised to enrich the landscape of the UAE capital, offering a premier lifestyle community in Abu Dhabi, and “providing an unparalleled living experience for residents who enjoy peace, tranquillity, nature, and impeccable service in an upscale, one-of-a-kind environment”.

With overall infrastructure works on Jubail Island amounting to approximately Dh600 million, JIIC confirms that to date infrastructure contracts valued at Dh486 million have been approved and are currently under way.

These include two earlier contracts to GCC – one in June worth over Dh200 million to complete the infrastructure required for three residential villages – Nad Al Dhabi, Seef Al Jubail and Ain Al Maha – within Phase One of the project.

This involves the construction of over 47.5 km of internal roads in these villages as well as infrastructure development, including electricity, water, sewage, irrigation, telecom and gas networks, as well as streetlighting.

A Dh80-million contract for infrastructure works for the initial village and central loop road was awarded in December last year. The scope of work includes the construction of a 3-km-long public loop road circling around Souk Al Jubail to provide road connectivity and access to the neighbouring villages, and the construction of 5 km of internal roads in Marfaa Al Jubail. The contract also includes utility infrastructure development such as electricity, water, sewage, irrigation, telecommunication and gas networks, as well as streetlighting.

Works on the 18-month-long first infrastructure package have commenced on two – Marfaa Al Jubail and Souk Al Jubail – of the six villages that are part of the project.

Jubail Island is a designated freehold investment zone in Abu Dhabi that will comprise a mix of serviced plots, high-end and mid-range properties as well as retail, office park and food and beverage (F&B) outlets. It will also offer all of the services and amenities that one would expect to find in a modern upscale community.

The development will feature spacious and well-appointed outdoor areas, including parks, walking tracks, kayaking stations and cycling routes for nature lovers and water sports enthusiasts.

“Jubail Island has been designed as, and is destined to become, a premier lifestyle community in Abu Dhabi, providing an unparalleled quality of life for discriminating residents who enjoy peaceful residential seclusion within a stone’s throw from the vibrant capital,” remarks Haidar.