The joint venture of Bu Haleeba/Al Jaber Grinaker–LTA (Alec) is working full steam ahead to ensure the timely completion of the Madinat Jumeirah Phase III.

Work on this phase is progressing well and is nearing completion despite its complex structural design, says Kez Taylor, general manager, Al Jaber Grinaker–LTA.
“Already, a majority of the work on Madinat Phase III is completed and there is no doubt that this landmark development will bear all the hallmarks of quality for which Al Jaber Grinaker-LTA/Bu Haleeba JV and the city of Dubai are recognised,” he points out.
“The project team, headed by Tarek Al Hassan of Bu Haleeba and senior project managers Jeff Wellburn and William Edge of Al Jaber Grinaker, has ensured that the development meets the grand visions of both Dubai Crown Prince and UAE Minister of Defence HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and resort operator Jumeirah International,” he adds.
Elaborating on the Phase III, Wellburn says: “The efforts of our project team enabled the developer and project architect to overcome the challenges of the complex structural design of Phase III. The design incorporates, extremely complicated non-typical heights and floor layouts, with heavily themed  external facades which required extreme care in the execution of numerous intricate details. In addition, the building works were carried out in an extremely tight and restricted construction space.
“Once the navigable ‘Creek’ canal was filled with water, site contractors were no longer able to use the canal bed as a temporary road, severely limiting access to some areas of the property. However despite such constraints, we, as a team, continuously managed the complexities and challenges proffered by a project of this scale.”
“We believe there is a beneficial solution to any project challenge, and our approach on a project of this magnitude was to break the project down into components, each headed by a dedicated project manager. This ensured that each component got excellent attention to detail, and up-to-the minute control,” says Edge.
Adds Taylor: “The developer, Dean Murphy and his Mirage Mille Team deserve all out credit. Mirage Mille – in this landmark development – has succeeded in capturing the warmth and hospitality of the Arab people of Dubai and the development as a whole is a credit to the historic architecture on which it is based. The efforts of the Bu Haleeba/Al Jaber Grinaker–LTA, the project team of Phase III and our subcontractors, have not gone unnoticed.
“A pro-active approach and strong work ethics has been the cornerstone of the continued growth of the companies involved.”
The joint venture of Bu Haleeba/Al Jaber Grinaker LTA JV previously completed the Mina A’Salam Hotel and handed it over last August.
“It is on the basis of the success and the achievements on the Phase I Mina A’ Salam that the joint venture was able to successfully negotiate and secure the Dh350 million ($96.4 million) Phase III of  the Madinat development contract,” says Taylor.
Elaborating on Phase I of the project, he adds: “The richness of Arabia’s maritime tradition is reflected in Mina A’ Salam. Translated directly as the ‘Port of Peace’, the project is a tribute to the seafaring heritage of Dubai and the Gulf region while the suq is a beautiful reconstruction of meticulously researched authentic, UAE architecture and design.
“The outstanding architectural concept for the project is based on a theme of ‘Old Dubai’. The details, external design features and ornamentation of this theme have been replicated from old photographs of the town, and references of Dubai Municipality, which are more pronounced in the design touches of Phase III. Madinat Jumeirah is not entirely an ‘old world’ in design. It houses an exclusive state-of-the-art convention centre and multipurpose arena for hosting top-end events. The intricacy of the suq and canals are impressive but more impressive is the fast-track progress made by all the players from design concept to construction for phase I undertaken by our joint venture,’’ says Taylor.
Despite being a new company in Dubai, the joint venture has now been appointed to work on the new MAF Mall of Emirates hotel.