Dredging work for Al Gurm Resort, the estimated Dh1 billion ($272 million) waterfront resort and residential complex to be built on the western edge of Abu Dhabi, has begun in right earnest with the approval of the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA).

Aldar Properties, the pioneering real estate development company in Abu Dhabi behind the prestigious project, has awarded the Dh160 million dredging contract to National Marine Dredging Company (NMDC) which began mobilising for the dredging work in early May.
 “Once the dredging work is completed, the reclamation work will commence,” says a spokesman of Aldar Properties, adding that the “reclamation work would be completed by the first quarter of 2007.” 
 The Al Gurm Resort will consist of a premier 161-room international luxury hotel, as well as 59 exclusive villas. It will also offer visitors and residents various opportunities to appreciate the beauty and serenity of its surroundings, while providing guest and residential facilities that are unique. In keeping with a strict ‘wildlife first’ policy, the development will feature low-rise accommodation only, so that neither the wildlife nor the natural flora will be disturbed.
 “The tender evaluation for the residential component of the development is in process,” says the spokesman.
The luxury private villas have been designed in a variety of styles to suit their natural habitat and tranquil setting. While some will have their own private beach, all of them will have their own private pool and each villa will have its own boat jetty with nine of the 59 being situated on their own private islands.
Villa residents will be able to circulate and enjoy the natural habitat and tranquil environment through a network of boardwalks or through their own waterborne transport.
 The five-star hotel will be an island resort that will fully complement the villa development. It will provide a mix of stunning chalets on individual islands along with an array of all-suite accommodation centred on a lagoon. The resort will have a health and fitness club, a spa and a number of premier boutiques. There will be three first-class restaurants offering Asian cuisine, seafood and all-day dining. The seafood outlet will be the resort’s signature restaurant and it will be located on its own island that will be accessible only by boat.
“Not only will this stunning hotel resort be an icon for Abu Dhabi that will significantly add to Abu Dhabi’s expanding tourism offer in line with the government’s declared and welcomed initiative, but it also celebrates the launch of Aldar’s hotel portfolio – alongside our existing, and rapidly expanding, residential, commercial and amenity portfolios,” says Aldar Properties chairman Ahmed Al Sayegh.
 “Construction work is now under way to deliver the resort to the world through a soft opening in early 2007, with the complement of villas following shortly thereafter. Discussions are well under way with a number of the world’s leading resort operators and we expect to make an announcement in this respect very shortly,” he adds.
 The mangroves which sustain over 60 species of bird life and the natural flora in the surrounding areas will not be tampered with and everything done to preserve the ecosytem.
“We fully recognise the role of the mangroves in the heritage and environment of the UAE. Therefore, our development at Al Gurm Resort will preserve and enhance this natural environment by being a well-planned, eco-friendly environment in line with our stated missions and visions of preserving the environment in all our developments,” says Aldar’s CEO, Christopher Sims.
The premier real estate development, management and investment company headquartered in Abu Dhabi, had earlier signed an agreement with the multiple award-winning Banyan Tree Group to operate and manage the exclusive Al Gurm Resort in the capital city. The agreement represents the prestigious East Asian resort group’s first resort venture into the UAE.
“We are delighted to have secured the Banyan Tree Group, the world’s leading luxury resort operator, to manage Al Gurm, an international resort that we are convinced will set a new benchmark for luxury in the hotel industry,” says Al Sayegh.
 “This unique development is another step forward in the Abu Dhabi government’s effort to diversify its economy and develop the tourism industry. The project also adds hotels to Aldar’s rapidly expanding portfolio of residential and commercial activities,” he adds.
Aldar’s current property portfolio includes major developments and re-developments within Abu Dhabi, such as the central market, the Al Raha Beach Development in Sas Al Nakel, the Mubadala Development Company – Environment Authority Headquarters Building, Al Jimi Mall expansion in Al Ain, Jebel Hafeet Resort in Jebel Hafeet, Al Ain, and the Al Mudheef Urban Regeneration Scheme in Al Mudheef.
“Spas operated by the Banyan Tree have collected dozens of awards over the years and this emerald of a spa here in Abu Dhabi will be the new jewel in our crown. As pioneers of the tropical garden spa concept, we feel at home here in this magical forest by the sea and we are confident that our guests will also,” says Ho Kwon Ping, executive chairman of Banyan Tree Holdings.