Aldar has recently completed a series of milestones on its Al Raha Beach development in Abu Dhabi, including the completion of the marine sea wall protecting the project’s Eastern Precinct, the first phase of its residential community and the completion of piling works on its Al Zeina precinct.

The sea wall project was completed by the joint venture of Soletanche Bachy-NSCC.
The Al Raha Beach project will include 11 precincts spread over an area of 12 million sq m, with each precinct having unique characteristics that sets it apart from the rest.
“The completion of this milestone has allowed basement excavation to proceed at building sites, followed by ground slab construction,” says Ronald S Barrott, CEO Aldar Properties. “Sand fill in the canals will remain in place to allow access for construction equipment throughout the development.”
Excavation of the canal fill material is planned to commence in the last quarter of 2009 with the sand being used in construction of the western section of the development.
“The JV is proud to complete the 20.2 km quay wall and ground treatment works of 20 million cu m on budget and within the 13-month schedule,” says Patrick Braun, project manager for Soletanche Bachy-NSCC. “The project is a major reference for both partners from a local and global perspective. This is one of the largest diaphragm wall projects ever undertaken and in terms of productivity, surpasses anything that has been achieved previously.”
Earlier in the month, Aldar had announced the completion of the first phase of the project’s residential community. The first phase consisting of 280 villas was entirely pre-sold and is now partially occupied. Work on the remaining 1,100 villas is ongoing and is expected to complete in 2009.
Last month, Aldar also launched its Al Zeina project, which will form a strategic gateway to the Al Raha development.
With the piling process completed on Al Zeina, the next step of laying the ground floor slabs is now being carried out, says a spokesman for the developer.
Al Zeina precinct, which is set for completion by the fourth quarter of 2009, will offer 137 villas, 116 townhouses, 779 apartments, all 1,032 units of which will be ready for residents at the time of handover.
Al Zeina contains luxury residential apartments, townhouses and villas, private boat moorings, retail high street with local supermarket and shops, a jetty restaurant, and several food and beverage outlets that will be located on the retail high street. The Al Zeina precinct also houses a 500-m public beach; one of only five on the Al Raha Beach development.
Covering over 570 hectares of land, the Al Raha Beach development will be the new gateway to Abu Dhabi located off of the main highway into the emirate. The estimated residential population will be 120,000 with approximately 200,000 people on the development during the day.