Etihad Towers

AMS to offer sale of projects worth over Dhs1bn at Cityscape Abu Dhabi

Aswaq Management & Services (AMS), the Abu Dhabi-based mixed-use property consultancy, sales and leasing company, will be offering projects worth over Dhs1bn at Cityscape Abu Dhabi 2008 – the leading international property investment and development event in the capital later this week.

During the exhibition – to be held from May 13 to 15 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition entre (ADNEC) – AMS will showcase in excess of 20 mixed-use projects, highlighted by the launch of residential sales at Bawabat Al Sharq in Bani Yas, Abu Dhabi.

In another first AMS will also be launching an “Expression of Interest” campaign for Towers 4 & 5 at the Etihad Towers project on the Abu Dhabi Corniche.

The company will also announce the commencement of leasing on the 46,000 square meter GLA (Gross Leasable Area) Downtown Al-Areen – a mixed-use property development in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The three-day exhibition is a unique networking event focusing on all aspects of the property and development cycle and attracts top regional and international investors, property developers, leading architects and designers.

The Dhs2.2bn Bawabat Al Sharq project, available for sale to UAE nationals on a freehold basis and to GCC nationals on a 100-year leasehold basis, encompasses modern residential, retail and community facilities, including one, two, three and four bedroom apartments as well as three, four and five (detached and attached) villas. The mixed-use development, spread across 108 hectares of land, comprises a vast array of world-class amenities, a FIFA-standard football stadium, a first-of-its-kind shopping centre and the best of retail and entertainment venues.

In his comments on the high-profile participation and launch of sales & leasing at Cityscape Abu Dhabi, H.E. Nasser Mohammed Al Nowais, Chairman of AMS, said: “Amidst the real estate and property boom in the Middle East, AMS is proud to be involved with such unique projects at Cityscape Abu Dhabi, one of the prestigious events in the global property calendar.

We are showcasing projects worth over Dhs1bn, which in itself is indicative of the importance of the event. AMS, which has carved a niche with world-class consultancy, sales and leasing services over the last nine years, is moving ahead with the confidence of achieving substantial success and establishing itself as a quality leader across the GCC and Levant.”

The company, which commenced operations with four employees in 1999, today boasts of an employee-strength of 75 as on date. This figure will increase to 100 by the end of this year and double be end-2009. AMS’ turnover has witnessed an impressive growth of 25 to 30% year-on-year, which proves its expertise in the entire real estate consultancy, sales and leasing value chain.

H.E. Al Nowais added: “We stress on providing quality services to our clients and tenants alike. We are thankful to all the property owners and developers who have put their trust in our expertise and professionalism.”

The launch of the ‘Expression of Interest’ campaign at Etihad Towers will be unique.

For the first time in Abu Dhabi the public will be invited to state their interest for the projects fourth and fifth residential tower, whether it be made available for sale or for lease. Etihad Towers encompasses five towers, is strategically located directly opposite the gate of the Emirates Palace Hotel and will feature stunning views in all directions.

The sales of the Downtown Al-Areen development would be done through Gulf Management & Services (GMS), AMS’ affiliate in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The project includes residential and serviced apartments, offices, hotels and outdoor shops.

Gulf Holding Company is the developers of the project, anticipated to open over five phases between October 2009 and January 2010.

As per the terms of an exclusive contract awarded by Gulf Holding Company, GMS will handle the consultancy, sales, leasing and management services for the development, spread across a massive 600,000 square metres.

AMS is also under assignment to handle consultancy, leasing and management for various projects in the region. AMS and its regional affiliates in the GCC-Levant region — AMS-Dubai, Gulf Management & Services in Bahrain, Beirut Real Estate Management & Services s.a.l. in Lebanon and Amman Real Estate & Management Services in Jordan manage 17 projects, covering a combined Gross Leasable and / or Sellable Area (GLA / GSA) of over 5 million square metres.

Among AMS’ clients are leading property owners and developers in the region including Dubai Properties, Abu Dhabi Trade Centre, Manazel Real Estate, Bani Yas Investment and Development Company, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Sultan Al Dhaheri Group, Solidere, Abdali Investment & Development PSC and Gulf Holding Company.

AMS’ first client was the Abu Dhabi Trade Centre which also hosts the Abu Dhabi Mall. Today, the company and its affiliates, through strategic alliances with corporate partners, have grown rapidly to become leading regional players and manage projects in the UAE, Bahrain, Jordan and Lebanon. AMS has also embarked on an aggressive regional expansion strategy.

Originally focused on retail commercial projects such as the management of shopping malls, AMS has in recent years expanded its services to meet the market demand for similar services for residential and commercial properties. AMS and its affiliates are targeting revenues of Dhs30m in 2008 generated by their Consultancy, Sales & Leasing and Management Services.

Source: AME Info

Abu Dhabi will host a new Dh2.5 billion mixed-use development, namely Etihad Towers, comprising five towers ranging from 49 to 74 floors and exceeding 300 metres.

Shaikh Suroor Bin Mohammad Al Nahyan signed four contracts with Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) as sole lender, Arabian Construction Company (ACC) as the main contractor, Tabreed for cooling, and Canadian company Cansult as construction supervision consultant.

ADCB will provide a term loan facility of Dh2.4 billion for 15 years to fin-ance the construction of Etihad Towers, while Tabreed will provide the project with 12,500 tonnes of refrigeration (TR) cooling services. Cooling services will be provided from the Baynoona plant, and the project is expected to be completed by 2010. Tabreed recently announced six major contract wins in Abu Dhabi, and will build three new cooling plants in the city to service them.

The towers will include a high-end hotel with a capacity of 600 rooms, as well as 900 residential apartments, and 65,000 square metres of office space.

The project’s theme concept has been designed by the Australian International design consultant (DBI), and will include as well eight unique restaurants, a large ballroom, as well as a private beach.

Source: Gulf News

Great render of the towers and their position to the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi

via SkyScraperCity

Hill International’s original contract extended

Hill International, the project manager of the Dh2.5 billion Etihad Towers, has been awarded an extension on its two-and-a-half-year contract by the Department of Special Projects in Abu Dhabi.

Hill’s original contract was worth Dh11.6 million and the new three-year extension has an estimated value of Dh29.8m. Etihad Towers is a mixed-use development located on the coastline of Khalidyah in Abu Dhabi.

“We are honoured to have been chosen to manage such an exciting project,” said Raouf S Ghali, President of Hill’s Project Management Group. “Etihad Towers is another step forward in making Abu Dhabi a world-renowned business and resort destination.”

The development comprises five towers ranging from 49 to 76 stories above a five-level podium with a built-up area of 519,000 square metres. Construction is expected to be completed by December 2010.

Etihad Towers will consist of three residential towers, one hotel/serviced apartment tower and an office tower incorporating more than 65,000 metres of leasable area. Including a retail podium, the towers will be united by a basement car park of four levels, with a capacity for 3,000 cars.

The 60-storey luxury hotel tower will comprise 400 guest rooms and suites as well as 200 fully serviced apartments varying from studios to one, two and three-bedroom apartments.

In addition, the development will include a high-end shopping boulevard, conference and banqueting facilities, a spa and sport and recreation facilities, which will be open to hotel guests, residents and tower tenants.

The hotel will have a private sandy beach for guests. Construction of the tower started in 2007 with Arabian Construction Company as the main contractors. The 40-month contract also includes the construction of the retail podium and parking, as well as external and marine works. Australia’s DBI Design won the lead design consultant contract for architecture, interior design and landscape architecture.

Abu Dhabi Central Bank will provide a term loan facility of Dh2.4bn for 15 years.

Source: business24-7

DBI Design has further cemented its status as a leading international practice by winning a world-wide competition

DBI Design has designed a 5-tower project in the Middle East, valued at more than A$860 million (AED$2.5 billion). DBI Design was awarded the lead design consultant contract for architecture, interior design and landscape architecture on the project. The project, Etihad Towers, will be located on a prominent waterfront site close to the central Abu Dhabi business district, at the end of the Abu Dhabi Corniche. Compromising five iconic towers ranging in height from 55 to 77 floors, in excess of 300 metres high, with a total built up area of 500,000m², Etihad Towers will feature an array of amenities, including an international five-star hotel, a boutique shopping mall, premium office tower, a hypermarket and quality residential apartments. It is set to be one of the most prestigious projects in Abu Dhabi. The Etihad Towers development will consist of three residential towers, and one hotel/serviced apartment tower, centred by an office tower incorporating more than 65,000m² of lettable area. Including a retail podium, the group will be united by a basement car park of four levels, with a capacity for more than 3,000 cars. All hotel rooms, apartments and office floors will have stunning sea views, overlooking the Abu Dhabi coastline. Etihad Towers’ signature building, the five-star hotel, will accommodate 400 rooms and 200 services apartments, to be operated by Jumeirah, operators of the seven-star Buj al Arab in Dubai and many other prestigious hotels around the world. The high-quality residential apartments will total 870, designed in a variety of configurations to suit all buyers. The Etihad Towers complex will also house Abu Dhabi’s largest state-of-the-art convention centra and ballroom, at over 2,500m². Complementing these will be a retail centre incorporating outlets for major international designer and fashion labels; and eight restaurants. Etihad Towers is scheduled to be completed by early 2010.

Source: World Architecture News

Etihad Towers Project is located on the Corniche, in front of the Emirates Palace Hotel.

The project is a prestigious mixed use development approximately 460,000m2 composed of a total of five towers from 53 to 77 floors, a large multi level podium and four level underground parking with a capacity of more than 3,200 cars.

In 2006, Cansult Maunsell was awarded the preparation of Construction Document Stage Documents and Drawings and Construction Supervision by H.E. Sheikh Suroor Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan. The construction of enabling works started in July 2006 and the project is scheduled to be completed by early 2010.
Services

Services to client for this project include detailed design and construction supervision.

Source: Cansult Maunsell