Phase One infrastructure work on Abu Dhabi’s multi-faceted entertainment destination Yas Island is progressing on schedule, according to its developer Aldar Properties.
Key milestones have been achieved on the multi-billion-dollar project, with more than 30 per cent of the infrastructure of Phase One complete, and the remaining scheduled for completion well before the 2009 Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November next year.
Commenting on the progress of Aldar’s Yas Island, Aldar Properties’ CEO Ronald Stephen Barrott says: “This exceptional performance and the ongoing achievements by the Yas Island development team highlight the dedication and commitment that Aldar puts into its projects. Yas Island is set to become a world famous tourist attraction and it will contribute to the tourism industry of the UAE.”
“Yas Island infrastructure will be ready for the expected visitors for this inaugural Formula One event. The development team and workforce have worked with exceptional efficiency, and we are very pleased with their efforts,” comments Steve Worrell, project director, Yas Island. “With three vehicle entrances to Yas Island for the race day, race goers will experience easy traffic flow through these access points.”
The Yas Marina Circuit is progressing very well. The pit building and the four grandstands for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix’s spectators will be completed by June next year, with concrete works for the top floor levels nearing completion and installation of mechanical, electrical and plumbing infrastructure now under way. Grading and shaping works in preparation for construction of the pavement for the race track itself are well progressed.
A joint venture of Bahrain-based construction giant Cebarco with Malaysia’s WCT was named the contractor last year for the estimated $400 million Abu Dhabi Grand Prix circuit, which was designed by prominent track designer Hermann Tilke. Around 1,700 hectares of Yas Island’s total 2,500 hectares will be converted into the 5.8-km-long circuit and marina.
Aldar is currently in the process of deepening the canal leading to Yas Island to allow superyachts to anchor in the Royal Yas Marina, providing excellent views for the audience to the Yas Marina Circuit. The Royal Yas Marina wall and excavation is 90 per cent complete.
The marina is dammed to complete the remaining construction in the dry and is scheduled for flooding in the second quarter of next year.
Piling works on the Yas Mall and parking structure are also progressing on schedule. The highways and bridges are well advanced and will be complete for the race day.
The Yas Island project is set to become a cornerstone of Abu Dhabi’s fast-growing tourism industry. In addition to the racing circuit, the development will include Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, a Warner Bros Theme Park, five-star and boutique hotels, a water-park, 356,000 sq m of retail space, a links golf course, three marinas, restaurants, various entertainment facilities and luxurious residential property.
The three theme parks – Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros Theme Park and the Water Park – will be a focal point of its Yas Island. The multi-use development Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is the first of its kind in the world. Themed after the luxury car brand, it will have more than 20 attractions with a large percentage of the park indoors for year-round entertainment. Warner Bros Theme Park and the Water Park will also bring unique family entertainment to the Middle East and will have state-of-the-art attractions.
“Yas Island is just one component of Aldar’s diverse development portfolio, which is attracting considerable worldwide interest and inward investment. The unique tourist destination will complement scores of residential, business, retail, and other community-oriented projects that set Aldar apart as a leading integrated developer,” Barrott says.
Aldar Properties is a premier real estate development, management and investment company whose current property portfolio also includes major developments and re-developments within Abu Dhabi emirate such as Central Market, Al Raha Beach, Coconut Island, Noor Al Ain, Al Gurm Resort and Al Mamoura – the Mubadala Development Company and Environment Agency Abu Dhabi headquarters building.
Aldar headquarters
Aldar is also currently building its futuristic headquarters, construction of which is “on track for timely completion”, according to a spokesman for the company.
When completed next year, the award-winning facility will be the first occupied building within Al Raha Beach, a mega waterfront city.
To date the key milestones achieved on this project include the completion of excavation, piling, basement works and finishes, and the reinforced concrete lift cores. Some 30 per cent of the steel structure that will give the structure its spherical shape has been constructed. This steel frame will rise up 23 storeys and is connected to two large concrete cores to transfer the loads of the exterior weight to the central concrete cores. Overall, 93 per cent of the design is finalised and around 35 per cent of the construction is complete. This status has been achieved with over 2.5 million safety hours reached, says the spokesman.
Commenting on the progress of the headquarters, Barrott says: “The Aldar headquarters building is progressing on schedule, evidence of which is the steel framing for the spherical structure that is now beginning to take shape. The Aldar team looks forward to moving into its new home, and to witnessing the successful progress of the other landmark buildings on the Al Dana precinct on Al Raha Beach.”
Aldar headquarters will be a landmark and is prominently located in Al Dana precinct, the estimated $5 billion commercial and financial hub at the heart of the 10.5-km Al Raha Beach development.
Designed by the world-renowned architects, MZ & Partners, the building has recently received worldwide attention, having been proclaimed the “Best Futuristic Design” by The Building Exchange (BEX) Conference held in Valencia, Spain.
In adherence to the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system guidelines, the building will feature extensive use of recyclable materials, prefabricated elements, and an automated vacuum waste system to ensure minimum waste creation.
Standing approximately 110 m in height, the building requires 5,700 tonnes of steel, 25,000 cu m of concrete and has involved 90,000 cu m of excavated sand.
Michael Cox, project director of Aldar Properties, adds: “The Aldar headquarters is coming along at an excellent rate. We are pleased with the efficiency on this site in addition to realising completion on all of our key milestones to the present time. With our next focus being this spherical structure, we are again pleased that this has commenced on schedule, and we look forward to seeing this steel structure complete in its due time.”
Aldar Properties was established to create world-class real estate developments for the emirate, while providing stable and profitable investment portfolio for all its investors and stakeholders. The company is owned by leading Abu Dhabi institutions, founder shareholders and individual investors.
