Construction of Dubai’s Bluewaters ‘75% complete’
Developer Meraas says 90% of buildings undergoing façade work at upcoming island destination ahead of handover starting early next year
Construction at the Bluewaters island destination off Dubai’s coast is 75% complete, with most structures having transitioned from structural work to the façade stage of the building process in preparation for handover starting in the first quarter of next year.
According to Meraas, master developer and owner of the project, more than 90% of the buildings at Bluewaters have undergone work on their facades, including all 10 apartment buildings and 17 townhouses. Bluewaters will also have over 200 retail and dining outlets in addition to leisure and entertainment and hospitality components, as well as a plaza – all of which are in advanced stages of construction, the developer said.
The island destination will be home to Ain Dubai, the tallest and largest observation wheel in the world.
Brian Schofield, vice president for projects, at Meraas, said: “The idea behind Bluewaters is to create a family-orientated neighbourhood where homebuyers can put down roots and feel a deep connection to the place they call home, which is why we’re committed to ensuring work on each of the island’s features continues moving forward simultaneously.
“This requires a great deal of coordination and in bringing the entire Bluewaters experience to life, we’ve engaged five main contractors and over 40 of the world’s leading consultant firms to ensure we are able to deliver a creative urban destination that meets the highest international standards of quality. At its peak, 16,500 employees and 25 cranes a day have worked on Bluewaters, with 64 million man-hours recorded and 12,000 direct jobs sustained over the last 12 months.”
According to a statement by Meraas, five major projects are underway simultaneously at Bluewaters, including Ain Dubai, a new landmark in Dubai that will reach heights in excess of 210m. The five projects include work on the mid-rise towers and townhouse; the boulevard, retail and dining, leisure and entertainment experiences; two hotels; and the infrastructure that connects the community to the city.
Bluewaters is connected by direct road access to Sheikh Zayed Road and also by a driverless Group Rapid Transport system with 25 autonomous vehicles ferrying 2,500 people an hour in each direction on the 4.5-minute journey between Bluewaters and the Dubai Metro. A 265-metre pedestrian bridge will also link the island to more lifestyle opportunities at The Beach, Meraas said.
Michelle Saywood, vice president of design at Meraas, said: “Meraas is passionate about urban environments like Bluewaters, where people can experience the city. This commitment has evolved and has seen new urban landscapes emerge that offer unique experiences for residents and visitors in Dubai. The vibrancy that we are injecting into destinations like Bluewaters has also become a benchmark for developments across the city.”
The residences at Bluewaters were released to the market starting earlier this month, after Core Savills were appointed by Meraas as exclusive sales agents for the homes at the project.
Manisha Dayaram, associate director – head of projects, at Core Savills, said: “From what we have seen in the market, we expect around 80% of the community that lives at Bluewaters to be homeowners who will be looking not just at how the residences are taking shape, but at the facilities, amenities, infrastructure, and services that will be available to them when they move in.”
