Singing Pig

 

Construction of the £1 billion development is scheduled to start in 2006, with completion expected in 2009. Dubai Golf City envisages hosting major golfing championships as well as being a holiday destination for golfers and non-golfers alike.

Dubai Golf City's 5 signature courses will follow a themed approach including the Oasis, Desert, Wadi and Parkland courses. The fifth course, the details of which are still to be revealed, will be the first of its kind. With 55 million sq. feet of lush greenery planned, Creative Kingdom, the design company behind 'The World' and 'The Palm Islands', will assist in the design of the development.

IMG manages a number of world class golfers including Tiger Woods, Retief Goosen and Sergio Garcia and is the world's largest sport management company.

Commenting on the deal with IMG, Abdulla Saeed Al Thani, Chairman of Thani Investments said, "Thani is delighted to be working with a world class partner like IMG. The championship courses planned with IMG will be the most challenging, enjoyable and memorable designs and will become a central attraction to Dubai.

"Other course planners are being consulted at the moment and we look forward announcing further partners in the near future.

"Through the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, I have been able to develop numerous opportunities for Thani Investments, of which Dubai Golf City is a key development to make the Emirate a leading tourist destination."

Post Edited (yellow_bird) : 9/14/2005 6:44:53 PM GMT

Dubai: Saudi Arabia's Al Sharq Group will invest Dh7 billion in an eight million square foot development in Dubailand, named Aqua Dunya, that is expected to become the region's largest theme park.

Aqua Dunya is expected to attract more than three million visitors annually. Steven Tight, a former Walt Disney vice-president for 17 years, will be Aqua Dunya's chief executive.

Aqua Dunya, comprising the largest and most diverse theme park resort in the Middle East, will also have 3,400 residential apartments. It will "rise by early 2008."

The theme park will be managed by Jumeirah, the hospitality management arm of Dubai Holding.

Ali Sulaiman Al Shehri, chairman of Al Sharq Development, said, "Aqua Dunya brings world class theme parks and resorts, vacation apartments and unique residences in a prime developing region in the new Dubai."

Aqua Dunya, comprising the largest and most diverse theme park resort in the Middle East and a residential community of 3,400 apartments, will "rise from the middle of the UAE desert by early 2008."

Al Sharq has already appointed Mace as project management consultant which is finalising several components of the project.

Tenders for infrastructure and enabling works are expected to be issued in the next few months.

Construction of Aqua Dunya, which will be equivalent in size to 150 football fields, will begin next January.

The centrepiece will be the world's largest cruise ship, the Desert Pearl. Berthed at its own Dubailand oasis, the ship will contain a climate-controlled indoor element of the theme park, and a 330-stateroom luxury hotel.

The Aqua Dunya theme park will open with more than 36 wet and dry rides and attractions, and three adventure islands.

The project is is one of the 19 confirmed ventures in Dubailand, and it is among one of the first 10 projects that will coincide with its Phase 1 opening in early 2008.

Phase 1 will include Aqua Dunya, Desert Pearl Hotel, a traditional souq and port district, conference centre, 170 vacation apartments and 3,400 residential apartments for sale.

Future development will include a second theme park, two more themed resorts and a golf course.

Post Edited (yellow_bird) : 9/18/2005 6:26:12 PM GMT

 

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Post Edited (yellow_bird) : 9/14/2005 6:41:44 PM GMT

 

 

Marking a milestone phase in the development of the US$3.8 billion Legends integrated theme park project in Dubailand, the leading Saudi Arabia based business entity, Tanmiyat Investment Group (Tanmiyat) announced that it has acquired the full residential and commercial components of the development at an investment of US$ 2 billion.

Mr. Esam Janahi, Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Finance House (right) and Mr. Sulayman A. Al-Majed, Chairman, Tanmiyat at the signing ceremony before addressing a press conference in Dubai on Wednesday.

Living Legends and Trade Legends are two of the six salient components of the Legends project in Dubailand, and will encompass an array of luxury villas and apartments which will be sold both at the retail level and as land parcels to developers.

 

Addressing a joint press conference jointly organised by Gulf Finance House B.S.C. (GFH), the driving spirit behind the Legends project and Tanmiyat, in Dubai today, Mr. Esam Janahi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Gulf Finance House, said: 'The Dubailand project is a path-breaking development that, upon completion, is expected to attract almost 15 million tourists a year.'

 

Mr. Janahi further said that the Legends project was spread over 24.7 million square feet in Dubailand, and would be an incredibly unique entertainment project that blends technical ingenuity with the thrills of fantasy.

 

'The Legends project is the first-of-its-kind integrated resort-cum-theme park development in the Middle East, combining entertainment, leisure, retail, residential facilities as well as commercial property under one canopy, while recreating the magic of Arabian mystic in all its hues.'

At the core of the Legends project are three world-class theme parks, which together will constitute one of the largest, climate-controlled theme parks in the world. The three theme parks at Legends-Dubailand are Legends of Arabia, Legends of Nature and Legends of the World - all of which are inspired by the magic of mythology, natural wonders, and sensational places on the planet.

 

 

Mr. Janahi said that the work on the final design of the theme park component of the development has already commenced and that full-scale construction is expected to be started shortly. 'This aspect of Legends will be developed by the Legends project company.'

'The sale of the residential and commercial components of the Legends development to the Tanmiyat Investment Group represents a significant milestone in the progress of the project. Gauging from the high level of enthusiasm that the project has already generated, we are confident that investors will find this exclusive residential and commercial community, 30 minutes away from the centre of the city of Dubai, an attractive investment avenue, Mr. Janahi said.

 

Mr. Janahi further said: 'The Tanmiyat Group is already part of the Legends project platform and has, as a strategic investor, underwritten 40 per cent of the US$302 million private placement floatation for the first phase of the project.

 

'We are excited at extending the scope of this relationship and are confident that Tanmiyat's finely-honed knowledge of the local, regional and global markets, coupled with their experience in the marketing of substantial real-estate projects in Saudi Arabia and UAE, will contribute to the success of Living & Trade Legends. This will in turn provide a huge impetus to the overall development of the Legends project.'

Elaborating on the Living Legends residential community, Mr. Sulayman A. Al-Majed, Chairman, Tanmiyat said: 'We are delighted to expand our association with the Legends development through this exclusive mandate for Living Legends. We are indeed confident that the differentiating factors of Living Legends, a first of its kind community, comprising of over 2,300 residential units including luxury villas and apartments, in the heart of a theme park development - will be a big draw among investors.'

 

Mr. Sulayman further said that Tanmiyat has launched an aggressive marketing campaign for Living Legends across the region. 'In fact Tanmiyat's participation in the Cityscape exhibition commencing in Dubai next week is focused entirely on creating awareness about the Legends project in general and Living & Trade Legends in particular. We expect this development to be completed in a period of two years.'

 

Apart from the 12 residential towers, Living & Trade Legends will comprise 2 commercial towers and 4 apartment hotels. Sales are open for both retail units as well as land parcels. The retail units will be sold at an average rate of AED700 per square feet of built-up area.

 

Headquartered in Riyadh, Tanmiyat is in the forefront of identifying unique real-estate investment opportunities across the region. The company is dedicated to the development of real-estate according to structured investment plans and raising the levels of land survey through cultural standards and using the best planning criteria approved both locally and internationally for basic structure services in the dwelling districts.

Living Legends will comprise of a total of 500 villas, 50 of which will be of a super-luxury nature. Of the remainder, 300 will be three-bedroom and 150 two-bed room villas. The apartments in the towers will comprise studios, penthouses and two and three-bedroom units.

 

'The villas will encircle the nine-hole golf course of the Legends project while the 12 towers which together will offer about 1,800 luxury residential apartments will line the periphery of the Legends development, offering a combination of studio, penthouses, two and three-bedroom apartments,' Mr. Sulayman said.

 

Post Edited (yellow_bird) : 9/14/2005 6:56:46 PM GMT

The AED 6 billion upmarket, contemporary waterfront 'Marsa Al Khor' neighbourhood at Dubai Festival City.

Transforming the banks of the historic Dubai Creek, the upscale 'Marsa Al Khor' office and residential development, between Al Garhoud Bridge and the new 12-lane Ras Al Khor crossing, which will deliver motorists into the heart of Dubai Festival City, is due for phased completion from 2007.

'We are delivering yet another world-class project to enhance the new Dubai lifestyle offering. This project will raise the bar for mixed-use commercial and residential developments in the UAE and compliments the long term vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,' said Omar Al Futtaim, CEO, Al Futtaim Group.

Creating an integrated Corniche community for up to 14,000 people, 'Marsa Al Khor' will have breathtaking hi-rise towers, stylish Creekside offices, a Central Park, exclusive waterfront homes, a 300 room boutique hotel fronting the centrepiece Quay, state-of-the-art offices and an array of chic cafes and restaurants.

'Marsa Al Khor' will deliver a new day and night urban environment for Dubai. It has a strong relationship to the water, a distinctive landscape and is not totally reliant on motor transport with pedestrian access throughout,' said Brett Schafer, Development Director, Dubai Festival City.

The iconic 'Marsa Al Khor' development will leverage its unique location and deliver an active waterfront environment. In concept, 'Marsa Al Khor' will be a first for Dubai and will bring the soul of the city back to the Creek.

Designed to be one of the most sought-after addresses in down-town Dubai, 'Marsa Al Khor' is set in expansive landscaped surroundings and fronted by a 900 metre long public Corniche and beach - the first to be privately developed in the region.

A unique facet of the development is its interaction with the Corniche and public beach, which will be enlivened by extensive water features throughout.

'Marsa Al Khor' skirts the 32 metre wide Corniche, which will be part of a larger walkway running the entire 4kms of Dubai Festival City's waterfront, and will boast a shaded, continuous retail and restaurant frontage similar to Singapore's Boat Quay and Darling Harbour in Sydney.

In keeping with the entire Dubai Festival City ethos of creating a place to live, work, meet and play, 'Marsa Al Khor' will offer an unrivalled blend of experiences for residents and visitors, allowing them to interact with a natural waterfront and world class facilities.

A Quay, which is at 'Marsa Al Khor's' centre, will be the development's hub. It will have 50 serviced apartments, numerous fashionable restaurants and cafés and a highly contemporary boutique hotel. Talks are at an advanced stage with a leading international hotel operator to manage the property. A management contract will be formally announced later this year.

All will combine to create a stylish waterfront focal point for the surrounding residential and commercial components. Completely accessible by foot or water taxi, the Quay will be an intimate place for people and a magnet for the entire project.

With over 2.5 million square feet of Gross Leaseable Area (GLA), the three 'Marsa Al Khor' commercial districts will attract some of the world's leading multi-nationals, NGOs and Corporations. Designed in a tiered format to deliver as many waterfront views as possible, the districts have at their heart the Central Park, where striking high-rise towers are set amongst landscaped gardens and cooling water features. Serviced by ground level cafes and shops, the towers will have ample underground parking.

These iconic towers will face the Creek and Garhoud Bridge. They will be designed by a world class architect and become signature buildings for Dubai Festival City and new Dubai landmarks.

The towers will have expansive views up and down the creek and west to the Sheikh Zayed Road skyline. Their visibility from the Garhoud and Ras Al Khor bridges will provide unique opportunities for corporate branding and signage.

To the rear of Central Park will be the Office Campus - an integrated cluster of linked low-rise buildings and associated 15 storey mid rise towers. Shared lobbies serve both the high rise and low rise offices and will feature shops and restaurants providing a leisure meeting place.

'Landscaped courts and roof gardens will be an important part of this new working environment, creating a contemporary blend of style and nature,' said Phil McArthur, Director Leasing & marketing, Dubai Festival City.

Fronting Central Park are the Waterfront Offices which will cater to Dubai's growing demand for niche, loft-style working environments. These multi storey offices will sit comfortably on the edge of the Corniche offering prime Creek views. They will have generous balconies and overhanging roofs while the end terraces have curved facades recalling the sails of the traditional Arabian sailing dhow.

'Marsa Al Khor' will also offer a stunning choice of homes - from stylish waterfront condominiums and penthouses to up-scale luxury apartments and all with ample underground and above ground car parking.

With over 2.3 million square feet of residential GLA available, 'Marsa Al Khor' will be home to a discerning community which will benefit from a range of neighbourhood amenities and eateries, all with awe-inspiring vistas.

The centrepiece of the residential precinct is the Harbour Plaza apartment complex - a new landmark on Dubai's skyline, which will also contain serviced apartments that will be managed by the world-renowned InterContinental Group that is also managing a flagship hotel at Dubai Festival City, the remainder will be available for lease.

Adjacent to Harbour Plaza will be clusters of four-storey apartments flanked by multi storey residential towers. Designed to compliment the style and grace of Harbour Plaza, the towers will comprise in excess of a thousand one to four bedroom apartments and penthouses.

The third major 'Marsa Al Khor' residential component will be stunning waterfront residential complex - a series of six low rise buildings boasting one and two storey opulent condos and penthouses with garden balconies.

These are designed to maximise waterfront views and leverage their close proximity to the corniche. They will deliver an interactive waterfront experience similar to that in Cape Town and Australia's Gold Coast - a lifestyle experience unlike any other in Dubai. The waterfront location and access to the beach via the corniche will create an unparalleled living environment.

'Marsa Al Khor' is the latest component to be launched at Dubai Festival City, which is set to begin a hectic opening schedule in November with the launch of the UAE's largest IKEA store and the world's largest Toyota showroom - the first of five showrooms at the designated Automotive Park.

'Marsa Al Khor' will eventually integrate into Dubai Festival City's centrepiece Festival Centre - a 2.6 million square foot waterfront retail, entertainment and leisure focal point. Giving life to a new downtown café culture, the Festival Centre will host 400 shops and 90 restaurants and cafes, many facing the waterfront in a Riviera-style setting. Renowned and new-to-market food and beverage outlets will be found in three themed pavilions strategically located between a Canal Walk and the Festival Marina ensuring waterfront views for all.