The new 10-storey Gulf Towers, which is due to open this month, is poised to become a landmark structure in Dubai. The commercial complex boasts modern amenities and the latest building management system.

FINISHING touches are currently being put to the Gulf Towers, a new landmark in Dubai, UAE.

The towers are scheduled to open this month, says the main contractor Bu Haleeba Contracting.

The project is a large commercial complex comprising two basements, ground floor and two 10-storey towers rising from the mezzanine level and connected at the 10th floor.

The Gulf Towers is centrally located, on Oud Metha Road, mid-way between the hubs of Deira and Bur Dubai and just 10 minutes drive from the Dubai International Airport. It has direct access to the main highway that goes to Sharjah and Northern Emirates in one direction and to Abu Dhabi and Al Ain in the other. It is also in close proximity to Lamcy Shopping Mall and the Wafi Centre.

Owned by Bu Haleeba Real Estate, the building has been designed by Technical Studies Bureau (TEST). Construction work on the project started in late 1997 and the structural works were completed last June (1999).

The complex, with a built-up area of 450,000 sq ft, will have a food-court and showrooms on the ground level, offices from the mezzanine to the 10th floors and a penthouse on the roof. The tenth floor will house the head office of Bu Haleeba.

The office and commercial building has been designed according to modern open-plan concept. The two basements are dedicated for car-parking and can together accommodate around 450 cars. Besides, additional parking space is available on the ground level for 80 cars.

The complex has four entrances and eight lifts providing access to the various levels of the towers. The building will be centrally air-conditioned and equipped with modern fire detection and alarm systems, a central audio and satellite system, a building management system (BMS) and a central control system. There is also a provision for pantry for each office.

All the materials and finishes are of a very high quality, says Atef Sameh Abdulrahman, chief engineer of Bu Haleeba Contracting.

Bu Haleeba Contracting was established in 1984 and has been involved with a number of prestigious projects in Dubai. Some of these include the Royal Mirage Hotel, Oasis Hotel, Le Meridien, Jumeira Beach expansion Phase II and Phase III (under construction); some buildings in Hor Al Anz. It has also built 360 apartments for Emirates airlines in Ghusais.

The sub-contractors involved with the construction include: