Fortunato rises at Jumeirah Village
Al Tajir Real Estate, one of the leading independent property specialists in Dubai, has announced the launch of Fortunato at Jumeirah Village-South.

Construction of the new freehold residential development, which will offer a total built-up area of 637,686 sq ft, will commence in September and is expected to be completed by mid 2009.
Fortunato will have studio, one and two bedrooms, penthouse, duplexes, garden houses, town houses and loft house options. Each of the options will have fine finishes, careful architecture planning that will ensure that no space is wasted and provides total comfort. Old world charm will be merged with every modern amenity to give residents a safe neighbourhood.
The Fortunato community will have promenades, neighbourhood parks, a country club, medical facilities, health club, dedicated areas for sports like football, tennis courts, cricket pitch and a community centre.
Dewalt announces new MEA manager
Suresh Srinivasan, formerly a product manager with Dewalt Power Tools, has taken over as marketing manager for Dewalt’s Middle East and African (MEA) operations. Srinivasan succeeds Kari Vikman for the job.
“Dewalt’s ongoing strategy is to deliver and service high-performance job-site solutions that enable the end-user to achieve productive and professional results,” says Srinivasan. “Dewalt takes a dynamic approach to making users feel totally confident about their power tool needs. By talking to them where they work, buy learn and play they are given the confidence of knowing that they have chosen a company that produces tools designed specifically for their needs.”
A $3 billion (annually) global major in industrial power tools, Dewalt has been building its presence in the Middle East and Africa over the last 30 years through manufacturing and marketing of high-performance professional tools and accessories, investing in new product development and global distribution channels.
Dubai plans massive power plant
Dubai is planning to build a massive power and desalination complex that would cost $12 billion to $15 billion and produce nearly as much power as New York City’s total generating capacity, said a report.
The planned plant would produce 9,000 MW of electricity and 600 million gallons a day of desalinated water.
The complex will come up next to Dubai World Central, planned to be the world’s largest airport, and the giant Jebel Ali Port and Free Zone.
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has invited international engineering companies to bid for an initial contract to advise on the plant’s construction, the report said.
Al Awtan clinches Damac contract
Damac Properties has appointed Al Awtan Contracting as the main contractor for its Emirates Gardens-1 project at Jumeirah Village South. The construction work, commencing this month, is scheduled to be completed in 19 months.
Emirates Gardens-1 spread over 750,000 sq ft comes with a mixture of studios, one and two-bedroom luxurious apartments and retail on the ground level.
Darwish bags Mina Al Arab deal
RAK Properties has signed a Dh340 million ($92.6 million) contract with Darwish Engineering Emirates for the infrastructure works of Mina Al Arab.
The Dh10 billion Mina Al Arab, launched by RAK Properties in May 2006, is a mixed-use development that is set to position Ras Al Khaimah as a sought-after tourism destination, with a combination of residential, hospitality and leisure components, all blending inextricably with nature.
Darwish has been selected in view of the distinct elements involved and innovations expected of this landmark project. The scope of works includes state-of-the-art wastewater treatment and collection works, drainage works, high and low-voltage electrical works, street lighting, potable water networks, telecommunications works, roads and bridges.
As per the contract between RAK Properties and Darwish, the infrastructure works are to start by end of this month and be completed in 18 months.
Arabtec wins Adnec Phase II deal
Arabtec Construction, a major civil engineering and contracting company, has won a Dh778 million ($211.8 million) contract from Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (Adnec).
The contract involves the construction of Phase II at the National Exhibition Centre in Abu Dhabi.
The project, involving a 60,000-sq m extension to the existing hall and the construction of two large parking structures, is due to be completed by August 2008.
ETA launches Dubai Lifestyle City
ETA group of companies has launched Dubai Lifestyle City at Dubailand.
The developer will rope into the project JW Marriott and IMG Academies, as partners.
Tony Ashai, the celebrated Beverley Hills designer, will design Dubai Lifestyle City in the famed Tuscany style of architecture, reminiscent of the renaissance. The entire enclave, including homes, hotels and other facilities, will be integrated across the spectrum with a digital data centre to manage all communications systems – telephone, cable, satellite TV, audio and security – and this will make every unit a fully self-sufficient high-speed network.
Dubai Lifestyle City will cover a land area of over four million sq ft.
New labour housing at Al Quoz
Dubai Municipality is building a modern labour housing complex in Al Qouz Industrial area that can accommodate as many as 1,650 labourers working for the civic body.
According to Hussain Nasser Lootah, acting director general of Dubai Municipality, the complex will meet advanced specifications and criteria set for labour housing.
The project consists of several independent blocks of serviced- labour accommodation including a central restaurant, kitchen, mosque, recreational areas, car and bus parking lots, administrative block, medical clinic, guard room, sewage treatment station, commercial shops and a compound wall.
“This is the first phase of the project. During the second phase, we will add more labour housing in order to accommodate a larger number of labourers,” said Lootah.
Al Habtoor wins top safety award
Al Habtoor Engineering Enterprises Company, a leading construction company of the region, has received the prestigious International Safety Award from the British Safety Council for the year 2006.
“Al Habtoor is the first local construction company from the UAE to win the award,” says a company spokesman.
The award was preceded by a series of stringent audit sessions carried out by an independent adjudicating panel, and was given to the company’s mega project Jumeirah Beach Residence – 4, valued at Dh1 billion ($272 million).
Only companies with below-average accident rates are eligible to apply and winners must also have good safety policies, plans and commitment to health and safety at the highest level.
Third lane for Dubai-Fujairah highway
A third lane will be added to the Dubai-Fujairah highway to stimulate economic and tourist growth between the eastern and western coast.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, minister of public works, said the new expansion would cost Dh250 million ($68 million), while the total cost of the project is Dh1.25 billion.
The 45-km strategic highway will start from Sharjah-Kalba highway stretching through the Hajar Mountains and Asfani up to Fujairah city. The highway is designed according to international standards.
With speed limit of 120 km per hour, the road will significantly cut the trip time between the eastern and western coast.
Sama Dubai, EC Harris form new JV
Sama Dubai, the international real estate and investment arm of Dubai Holding, has formed a joint venture with EC Harris, a leading consultancy working in the real estate, infrastructure and construction sectors.
The aim is to create a world class integrated project management company, said an official spokesman.
The joint venture will bring together Sama Dubai’s existing project management team of over 200 staff and EC Harris’s over 90 years experience of delivering value through the application of knowledge, professional skills and technology to clients’ projects.
Habtoor plans new hotel on The Palm
Al Habtoor Group has signed a contract with Khatib and Alami Consolidated Engineering Company for the development of its new hotel on the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai.
The new five-star luxury resort will feature 250 rooms and suites along with exclusive apartments and villas. It is being developed at a cost over Dh500 million ($136.13 million).
The resort will also have themed restaurants, a spa, an exclusive shopping arcade and conference facilities.