Gulf Construction Online

UAE Focus

Gemini Towers ... new business address.

Update

01 December 2006

Omniyat unveils Gemini Towers
Dubai: Omniyat Properties, the real estate development arm of the Dubai-headquartered Almasa Holdings, has unveiled its fourth innovative commercial project – Gemini – a Dh500 ($136.2 million) million freehold office tower in Dubai’s Business Bay.

Named to reflect its conjoined twin-tower design, the 20-storey Gemini, which will be completed in the second quarter of 2009, will offer 260,237 sq ft of office space.
Gemini will be a unique structure with the façade being largely constructed from solid black granite blocks with aluminium and white glass. Its twin-towers are linked by a 15-storey central block which will house freehold offices, serviced offices, a tranquillity zone, retail and medical facilities.
Gemini will feature not only the latest business technology, but also state-of-the-art lifestyle elements.
The building will have four underground parking levels, and has been designed to promote the very best in living and working efficiency with an “everything-under-one-roof” approach, he adds.

Gulf Extrusions makes strong foray
Dubai: Gulf Extrusions’ strategy to target the European and South African markets received a fillip with the company’s successful participation in Aluminium 2006 exhibition held recently in Essen, Germany.
“At the expo, we received inquiries from several European markets, including Germany, France, UK, Holland and Spain,” says sales and marketing director Robert Holtkamp. The company had showcased a wide selection of aluminium profiles at the expo, where it was participating for the first time.
“Having firmly established itself as the market leader in the Middle East, Gulf Extrusions is now looking to expand its operations to new geographical regions,” said Holtkamp. “Our debut at Aluminium 2006 was aimed at furthering our strategic business objectives for the Europe and South African regions, which we have identified as our new target markets,” he said.

Amana lands Transworld deal
Dubai: Transworld, a leading logistics company in the Middle East, has awarded Amana Contracting and Steel Buildings, the contract to design and build an extension of its logistics facilities in Jafza.

The new extension, which will expand the existing capacity of the warehouse by over 20 per cent, will include a warehousing facility, with an additional built up area of 5,440 sq m, on a plot of over 40,412 sq m.
The project, which will use 210 tonnes of steel, will be designed and constructed in a period of 240 days.
Commenting on the project, Jihad Bsaibes, general manager, Amana Contracting and Steel Buildings, Dubai said: “This is a unique project as it involves the building of an additional mezzanine area in the existing facility. The new system can bear additional load of racking as well as accommodate the installation of an in-rack fire fighting system, which is a critical safety feature of the warehouse.

Al Madar makes foray into the UAE
Dubai: Al Madar Property Investments, a leading property developer in the GCC and a part of the Al Madar Group, has announced its foray into the fast-growing UAE property market with a string of residential and commercial projects. The Qatar-based property developer will invest several billion dirhams in seven major projects in the Business Bay in Dubai.
“We believe this is the ideal time to make our entry into the UAE, which is experiencing a property boom of unprecedented scale. There is now a growing demand for high-quality residential and commercial developments that combine luxury and comfort with utility and convenience, especially in Dubai. Through our projects located at Business Bay, we aim to cater to this demand and tap into the country’s rapidly expanding property market,” said Engineer Ali Abdul Reda Al Mashhadi, CEO of Al Madar Property Investment.

GTC wins $18.5m roads contract
Dubai: Aldar Properties has awarded Abu Dhabi General Transport Company (GTC), the contract for the construction of the road network to service Al Raha Gardens, and its surrounding areas.
Following a prequalification and tender process, GTC was awarded the Dh68 million ($18.5 million) contract to undertake the construction of an 8 km, three-lane dual carriageway network to form the main collector/distributor road for the development, and links to Khalifa City 'A'.
GTC will also construct 6 km of single carriageway road, providing local access to the gated communities; the supporting infrastructure to the road network; a positive stormwater drainage system, street lighting, road marking, signing and associated utility works.
Aldar Project Director Michael Cox confirmed that the contract period commenced on September 19, 2006 with a scheduled duration of 270 days.

Ducab clinches record order
Dubai: Ducab, a leading manufacturer of high-quality power cables in the Middle East, has clinched its largest order to date with the signing of a Dh100 million ($27 million) contract with Saudi Electric Company (SEC) for the supply of medium and low voltage cables.
The deal marks Ducab’s strong entry to the Saudi market. “We are delighted to have secured this high volume contract,” said Colin Paskins, managing director, Ducab. “We have succeeded in maintaining and reinforcing a long term symbiotic relationship with SEC, which is demonstrated in increased trust and further business expansion opportunities.”
The cables supplied by Ducab will meet part of SEC’s plan for the rapid expansion and upgrading of low and medium voltage distribution cable network in Saudi Arabia. The project is expected to last over a year and is slated for a late 2007 conclusion.
Dynapac paves Abu Dhabi runway
Abu Dhabi: Earthworks for a new 4.1 km runway at Abu Dhabi International Airport has just begun with main contractor, the joint venture of Al Jaber Group and Brazil's Odebrecht turning to Dynapac for five CA 512 D single drum vibratory compaction rollers.
All 10 Dynapac rollers have been ordered through local distributor Inma Gulf Development and Construction with the remaining five units slated for delivery by the end of the year.
The Dynapac CA 512 D has been designed for airfield and road construction compacting up to 2100 cu m/h. Featuring an operating mass of 15,600 kg, the roller features a drum width of 2130 mm and is powered by a 129 kW Cummins diesel engine.
Initially planned as a fast truck construction of the runway for mid 2007 – timed for delivery of Etihad’s four A 380 superjumbos – the deadline was eased and rescheduled for early 2008.
On-site preparatory work for the 4.1 km long runway has been completed by local company Saif Bin Darwish in a six-month rough grading package incorporating site preparation and landfill.

Jotun leaves lasting impression
Dubai: Jotun made its presence felt at the recent Big 5 with its premier range of surface finishes – Jotashield and the Pearl – in a bid to build on its recent successes and consolidate its status as the region’s premier paint company.
Jotashield Thermo with thermal insulation properties, when applied to a villa or tower building will result in superior heat deflection and reduced interior temperature and cooling costs, saving up to 40 per cent of electricity bills,” said a Jotun spokesman.
Jotun’s ‘Pearl’ brand, provides a new concept in decorative effects by creating a unique mother-of-pearl finish for interior walls.