Phase 1 of Dubai Parks and Resorts reaches 30% completion mark for infrastructure
Excavation work for district cooling facility underway, while power sub-station is 35% complete
Dubai Parks and Resorts, a Meraas Holding company, has announced that Phase 1 of its $2.7 billion entertainment and leisure project has reached the 30% completion mark in terms of infrastructure development.
More than 1,500 personnel have been deployed on the project, which will see the development of an initial area of 2,322,576sqm. The number of workers onsite is expected to increase four-fold by 2015, the developer said.
Nearly 30% of infrastructure development is already complete, with work on the power substation registered at 35%. Excavation work for the district cooling facility has also commenced.
A number of regional and international firms have worked on the design of the project, including Rabben, Herman, Gensler, HOK, RTKL, Forrec and Riva Creative. In addition, consultants including CH2M Hill and Samsung SDS have provided infrastructure design.
The overall master plan of the project has been approved by relevant government authorities.
Program management firm Samsung C&T is overseeing the overall progress of the project to ensure that the various components adhere to the scheduled timelines and budgets. The Kier Group is building the utilities component of the project.
Meanwhile, ETA has been engaged for the power sub-station project, while National Central Cooling Company (Tabreed) has been mandated to set up the district cooling facility.
“A mega project such as Dubai Parks & Resorts requires partners that have a strong track record in developing and delivering leisure and entertainment concepts of this scale. Following a stringent bidding process we have selected consultants and contractors with whom we are working closely to deliver an entertainment experience that brings to life the UAE leadership’s vision of positioning Dubai as a leading global tourist destination,” said Raed Al Nuaimi, CEO of Dubai Parks and Resorts.
Besix Orascom is responsible for the majority of the LEGOLAND® Dubai building works, Laing O’Rourke and Al Futtaim Carillion for a large part of Motiongate Dubai, and ARCO General Contracting EST for Bollywood Parks.
Hill International has also been contracted to manage the production and installation of all shows and rides, and provide construction management consultancy services for Phase 1 of Dubai Parks & Resorts.
Launched under the directive of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Parks & Resorts has been designed as a mega leisure and entertainment destination to serve the regions that are within a four hour flying distance from Dubai.
Taking shape at Jebel Ali, the first phase of Dubai Parks & Resorts will comprise three theme parks: Motiongate Dubai, Bollywood Parks Dubai, and LEGOLAND Dubai.
The development will also feature Riverpark – a grand entrance plaza and Lapita, a family themed hotel. The first phase is scheduled for completion in 2016.
