DAMAC Properties has cast basement slabs at four of its nine projects currently under construction at Business Bay in Dubai.

The projects comprise The Corner, Executive Bay, Capital Bay and Park Central.

“Once the slabs have been cast, construction tends to speed up quite significantly,” said Niall McLoughlin, vice-president of Damac Properties. “Once we reach the first floor, it should be a floor a week from there onwards, that’s the general rule of thumb.”

Business Bay will form the new commercial heart of Dubai, with stylish offices, executive residential apartments and some of the city’s best amenities and transport links.

Damac Properties is making impressive progress at Business Bay, with two office towers – Business Tower and XL Tower – soon to be handed over, and piling works completed at three other projects, Commercial Square, Water’s Edge and Business Central.

Four main contractors are building Damac Properties’ projects in Business Bay. Sun Engineering is the main contractor for Executive Bay and Capital Bay, Modern Building Construction Company for Commercial Square, Water’s Edge and Business Central, while Drake and Scull subsidiary, Gulf Technical Construction Company is the main contractor for Park Central and The Corner.

“Damac Properties has demonstrated the construction efficiencies from having the  same main contractor  build  more than one project within close  proximity.  XL  Tower  and  Business Tower  were built  simultaneously  by  CSHK, which accelerated the build time,” said McLoughlin.

Commenting on Damac Properties’ significant footprint in Business Bay, McLoughlin said: “It is a testament to foresight and strategic planning that Damac Properties will be in a position to offer customers a range of properties and options through our portfolio at Business Bay.”

Business Tower and XL Tower are two of eight Dubai-based projects that Damac Properties will hand over to customers by mid-2011 including the delivery of signature Ocean Heights development at Dubai Marina and Park Towers at the DIFC.