Memon launches third Champion tower
Memon Investments, a leading Dubai-based property developer, has announced the launch of the Dh145 million ($39.5 million) Champions Tower III to be developed within Dubai Sports City.

Targeted for completion in early 2009, Champions Tower III is part of the company’s Dh1 billion investment plan.
Champions Tower III fuses high-tech functionality and contemporary architectural design as envisioned by the prestigious award-winning architectural and engineering firm, Eng Adnan Saffarini Office and offers a choice of 256 elegant units comprising of studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments.
The 16-storey residential tower is designed to promote a healthy lifestyle and offers a state-of-the-art health club, communal swimming pool, juice bar, steam, sauna and separate fitness gyms for men and women located on the rooftop and fully-serviced by a well-trained team.
Occupying an area of 250,000 sq ft, the tower boasts of five-star hotel features and amenities such as a spacious fine marble lobby, three high-speed elevators, basement parking, covered parking on the ground floor, concierge and valet services, 24-hour manned security and an in-house maintenance team to ensure the comfort and security of occupants.
ECC wins Smart Heights project
Damac has appointed ECC as the main contractor for its Smart Heights project at Tecom in Dubai.
The smart technology featured project at Tecom is expected to be completed by the end of 2008.
Smart Heights, Damac’s second project in Tecom, will offer 288,000 sq ft of state-of-the-art office space, 22,000 sq ft of prime retail outlets, as well as six levels of parking. Other amenities include a healthcare and daycare center.
The project will offer businesses the ultimate in smart technology.
Arabtec bags new certification
Arabtec Construction has received the international environmental, health and safety standards certificate from Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance (LRQA).
The company received the ISO 14001:2004 and OHSAS 18001:1999 certificate for its commitment to quality and HSE management systems, said a top company official.
The certifications were awarded for all Arabtec operations in the UAE and are applicable to: provision of building and civil engineering contracting services, including ‘turnkey’ projects, electrical works, and architecture design services related to luxury villas in the UAE.
RTA awards $79m road contract
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded a Dh289 million ($78.7 million) contract for Phase III of Dubai Bypass Road.
The project has a strategic significance in linking the Northern Emirates with Abu Dhabi without passing through Dubai downtown, said Mattar Al Tayer, chairman of the board and executive director of the RTA.
The project provides alternative roads to both Emirates Road and Sheikh Zayed Road and offers motorists coming from the Northern Emirates heading towards the emirate of Abu Dhabi (and vice versa) an outer road without having to pass through downtown areas.
The third phase of the project starts from Jebel Ali-Al Hibab Road and extends 25 km up to the outskirts of the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
The contract of this sector includes constructing a dual carriage highway of six lanes in each direction to accommodate the anticipated traffic flow.
It also includes constructing three camel cross-points that could be used as U-turn exits, as well as constructing water drainage conduits, utility pipes, metal curbs, safety rail and lighting works.
Schon launches signature project
Schon Properties, the developer behind the Dh3 billion ($816.79 million) Dubai Lagoon project, has launched its signature project Schon Business Park. Located 5 km from the Jebel Ali International Airport in Dubai Investments Park (DIP), the development offers a built-up area of 1.1 million sq ft and provides state-of-the-art offices for corporations waiting to relocate near Jebel Ali Free Zone.
The ground-plus-three storey building will comprise of 410 offices with a capacity to accommodate 4,000 employees. The ground floor consists of furnished offices and 80,000 sq ft of retail area, catering to a population of 60,000.
The design maximises the flow of natural light with floor-to-ceiling windows and expansive views. The three other levels of the Park are split between shell and core space, and an operator-managed business centre, which includes facilities such as executive board rooms and video conferencing.
“We have been listening to the needs of the market for a long time,” says Danial Husain, vice-president of Schon Properties. “The development includes a mixture of shell and core space, and a professionally-managed business centre, catering to the needs of all kinds of companies, from a start-up to an established corporation.
Sorouh shortlists six for Saraya
Sorouh Real Estate has short-listed six companies to bid for the infrastructure package of the Dh3.5 billion ($950 million) Saraya project located on the Abu Dhabi Corniche Road (also see Abu Dhabi Review).
The six contractors who have been shortlisted to submit tenders for this infrastructure development include: Al Jaber Transport and General Contracting, Saif Bin Darwish, Mohamed AbdulmohsinAl-Kharafi and Sons, Al Geemi and Partners Contracting Company, Copri Construction Enterprises and Orascom Contracting Industries – Fujairah.
Saraya Abu Dhabi will consist of 28 mid- and high-rise residential and commercial towers ranging from 10 to 40 storeys high, as well as a hotel with serviced apartments.
Spread over a vast waterfront site covering 125,000 sq m, the luxurious mixed-use development was master planned by PTW Architects of Australia. The infrastructure and conceptual and detailed designs of the landscaping works will be prepared by Rafik El Khoury and Partners (UAE) in collaboration with Cansult Maunsell (UAE) and Site Image.
Burj Dubai Hotel ahead of schedule
The concrete works on the Burj Dubai Lake Hotel development is over three months ahead of schedule.
The Burj Dubai Lake Hotel & Serviced Apartments is a luxury skyscraper that is set to rise 306 m, adjacent to the Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping and entertainment complex.
Developed by Emaar, this mixed-use tower will contain a total of 63 floors upon completion and is a part of the mega-development Burj Dubai.
The project, which directly overlooks the Burj Dubai Lake and faces the Old Town, is three months ahead of schedule on its concrete topping out, where the main contractor Arabtec and Besix have been collaborating together through a joint venture.
Atkins is the consultant while Mirage Mille Leisure & Development is the development manager, project manager and quantity surveyor for the project.
“The project progress and eventual completion will become a reference point in the development of the new Dubai,” says managing director of Arabtec Holding Riad Kamal.