Aldar Properties has embarked on an ambitious plan of redefining the skyline of Abu Dhabi by launching some mega landmark projects in the oil-rich emirate.

The leading real estate company is currently involved in projects that include a new Dh54 billion ($14.70 billion) district at Al Raha, Abu Dhabi central market, and a new office complex in Al Muroor district.
The company’s masterplan for a new city district to be developed at Al Raha as the new gateway to Abu Dhabi city, was formally approved by the UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan in February.
The first in the series of developments at the district known as Al Raha Gardens, a Dh1 billion landscaped zone 30 km outside Abu Dhabi, has already been launched by Aldar.  The success of the launch of the first phase in early June was such that Aldar immediately embarked on the second phase.
Construction of the villas – the first in the emirate available to UAE nationals on a freehold basis – will begin in two months’ time for completion in 20 months. Aldar will offer further phases of the development, including apartments, over the next 12 months.
The first phase of 363 villas was offered for sale to the UAE nationals in line with current Abu Dhabi law. Subsequent phases may be offered to expatriates in accordance with any changes in Abu Dhabi property laws that may be ratified in the future.
Conceived as a fully integrated community development, Al Raha Gardens will comprise a range of residential accommodation ranging from spacious three-bedroom to luxurious five-bedroom townhouses set in an open park and landscaped environment. Modelled on a true urban village ideology, the development will provide convenient retail amenities, car-free streetscapes and a supporting infrastructure of prestigious schools.  A particular feature of the development will be the Emirates’ exclusive combined polo hotel and polo club.
The overall design theme will reflect traditional arabesque heritage, incorporating contemporary specifications that will offer the homeowner every modern and contemporary convenience.
Maximising the water frontage at Al Raha Beach along the Abu Dhabi to Dubai highway, the new Raha City district will provide a lifestyle destination embracing residential, commercial, cultural, entertainment and public amenities, according to Aldar.
Taking inspiration from capital cities with extensive water frontage, the new city will be spread over an area of 12 million sq m out of which 6.8 million sq m would be reclaimed land at Al Raha Beach.
The overall project will include 60-storey towers to low-rise developments at the water’s edge and will be planned for a resident population of 120,000 inhabitants. The new city district will be integrated with Khalifa Town A and the recently-completed Al Raha Beach Hotel via road and related transport links.
It will also provide means to connect the islands of Abu Dhabi, thereby forming a link between this island and Abu Dhabi International Airport.
“The underlying theme of the development will be to enhance Abu Dhabi’s natural wealth of water and beach frontage. A unique feature will be the provision of a water taxi service, serving all parts of Abu Dhabi as well as the outlying islands of Sadiyat and the international airport. This will provide a new form of urban transport for the city and add to the tourism offer for the emirate,” says a spokesman for Aldar.
Work will start immediately on the development in accordance with Aldar’s master plan and development guidelines.
Aldar Properties has received bids for the infrastructure operations, which are expected to start within a year. The company is likely to start  reclamation work next month (September), which could take up to two years to complete.  The dredging and reclamation package will include about 40 million cu m to be dredged along 8 km of existing channel at Al Raha.
Australia’s Malone Buchan Laird & Bawden has prepared the concept design; the project is being managed in-house by Aldar.

Abu Dhabi central market
Contractors have been invited to prequalify for the redevelopment of the Central Market project which involves the construction of premium high-rise apartments, international grade A office space, restaurants, world-class hotels, branded retail outlets and a traditional Arabian suq over an area of five hectares.
The entire existing Central Market shopping area between Hamdan and Khalifa Streets was demolished earlier this year to make way for the estimated Dh1.3 billion redevelopment project which will transform it into a vibrant new city centre destination.
The redevelopment will have a built-up area of about 280,000 sq m and cover two plots situated between Hamdan and Khalifa Streets.
The overall redevelopment is a mixed-use scheme, consisting of apartments, branded retail outlets, food outlets and restaurants for all tastes, grade-A office space, world-class hotels, and parking for more than 4,500 cars together with a new fire station, and bus and taxi interchange points.
Due to be completed by 2008, the project calls for the construction of an air-conditioned central suq, a town square and one tower at each of the four corners of the market. It will also entail mosques, restaurants, banks and underground car parking facilities.
Set against the pinnacles of four towers of 35 floors each, the redevelopment will offer an internal vista of green parks, pools and fountains, interlaced with bridge links. The bridge across Khalifa Street will connect to the new suq.
Approved by the UAE President in May, the design of Aldar’s showpiece project was submitted by international prize-winning architect RTKL, following an international design competition in which five of the world’s leading urban designers took part. RTKL has now been retained by Aldar to progress the design through to construction.
Commenting on the design and selection of RTKL, Aldar’s chairman Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh  says: “Our design brief required the invited architects to produce a prestigious and efficient design solution that addressed the regeneration challenge, providing a true city centre and downtown destination for the capital in place of the old suq.”
To supplement and enhance this landmark development, Aldar has also appointed award-winning architects Jafar Tukan and Rasem Badram to design the project’s new mosque and suq. Both the architects have won many major architectural awards, including the coveted Aga Khan Award for Architecture. The appointment of Tukan and Badram will integrate their unique and exceptional design expertise within the challenges presented by the different design philosophies, says the spokesman. 
The new suq will encapsulate Rasem Badram’s flair for traditional style and detailing of a suq typical of the region, but set within a cosmopolitan area. Similarly, the new mosque will be located within its own piazza, a tranquil and pleasing environment integrated with fountains and gardens.
Aldar has been awarded an exclusive 50-year concession agreement to develop and manage the Central Market project by the Government of Abu Dhabi. Construction will follow a fast-track programme, with the first phase targeted for completion in the autumn of 2007.
A contract award is imminent for the construction of a 1,500-m diaphragm wall, a 70-m-long underground tunnel and the dewatering and excavation of about 700,000 cu m of soil. The main market construction tender is due to be issued in the third quarter.

Headquarters complex
Consolidated Contractors International Company (CCC) started work in June on a new office building in Al Muroor, which once complete will serve as the new headquarters for Mubadala Development Company, a UAE Offsets Group company, and Environment Research and Wildlife Development Agency (ERWDA).
The $80 million building will also be pre-let to a number of other premier blue-chip tenants, says the Aldar spokesman.
Designed by international architect Jung Brannen of Boston, the building will feature the latest in building technology, amenity and services for its tenants within a 60,000 sq m gross building area.
A key feature will be the impressive heritage-style entrance leading to a stunning atrium that will provide a dramatic sense of arrival and presence. Comprising more than 10 floors of open-plan office accommodation, the building will cater to the needs of its occupiers with the provision of raised flooring throughout a business and conference centre, a 150-seat auditorium, an ERWDA library, dining facilities, prayer rooms, a convenience shop and a crèche.
Adjacent to the office building will be a 25,000 sq m ancillary building that will provide dedicated car parking for occupants, a health club and research facilities for ERWDA.
Commenting on the construction award, Al Sayegh says: “This is another major development for Aldar and demonstrates our commitment to provide sustainable developments that meet occupiers’ requirements and needs.
“The construction tenders were very keenly priced and the final selection process was extremely difficult. We are delighted that CCC has been awarded this contract as they clearly demonstrated a professional commitment to build to our exacting standards and requirements”.
The project is expected to be completed in 21 months.
A premier real estate development, management and investment company headquartered in Abu Dhabi, Aldar Properties was created to fast track real estate investment projects, and to offer an opportunity to participate in the prosperity of this increasingly important industry in the UAE.
Apart from these projects, the company is also involved with the Al Jimi Mall expansion in Al Ain, which will double the capacity of the mall, Jebel Hafeet Resort in Jebel Hafeet, Al Ain, and the Al Mudheef Urban Regeneration Scheme in Al Mudheef.
Aldar is also planning to build commercial and leisure properties on Abu Shum Island, opposite the Rotana Beach Hotel and the headquarters of the UAE Navy in Abu Dhabi city. The island, owned by Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will be developed in phases and will have villas and hotels as well as other leisure facilities and infrastructure.