Luxury development to have 300 metre beach frontage
Abu Dhabi-headquartered Al Jaber PSC, one of the most prominent construction and development companies in the United Arab Emirates, is to build a signature resort on Saadiyat Island - the natural island lying 500 metres offshore the UAE capital city which is being transformed into an international tourism destination.
Al Jaber has purchased a 750,000 square feet site for the development from the Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), the asset development arm of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA).
The resort will be on Saadiyat Beach - the premier hospitality district of Saadiyat Island.
"The Al Jaber resort will be a key anchor project for Saadiyat and we anticipate it will draw guests from throughout Europe and the Middle East," said Obeid Al Jaber Chairman, Al Jaber PSC.
"This resort will be the jewel in the crown of Al Jaber's expanding hospitality portfolio which includes several new projects throughout the UAE, including the signature 'Between The Bridges' resort, which is being developed under a joint venture with TDIC."
Al Jaber's Saadiyat Beach resort will include a deluxe hotel with around 400 rooms and fronting over 300 metres of pristine beach.
"This is a magnificent location within a distinctive natural setting," added Al Jaber. "We will look to respect and protect this environment with a highly secluded luxury resort centred around landscaped gardens and pools."
Al Jaber expects to begin planning and construction of the resort before the end of this year.
"With access to a fleet of transport vessels and construction vehicles, Al Jaber has indicated that it wishes to jump start development by beginning site work prior to the initial road connections being established on Saadiyat Island in the first quarter of next year," explained Mubarak Al Muhairi, Managing Director, TDIC and Director General, ADTA. "The company's enthusiastic approach to the project was a driving factor in its ability to gain a first mover advantage on Saadiyat Island."
Saadiyat Beach, to the north west of the island, will have a range of five-star resorts flanking nine kilometres of pristine beach, a championship golf course with freehold villas, dedicated sailing club and private beach clubs all creating a celebrity see-and-be-seen atmosphere.
Saadiyat Island, which translates from Arabic as 'Island of Happiness,' is to be developed in three phases from 2006-2018. Saadiyat is the Middle East's largest single natural island development.
Enabling works to clear the ground for infrastructure development of Saadiyat Island are currently underway and an international tender for the building of a 10-lane highway bridge linking the capital city with Saadiyat Island has been issued.
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About Al Jaber PSC:
Since 1970 both the U.A.E. and Al Jaber have together grown and evolved into a mutual success story. The Al Jaber Group has made a significant contribution in the ambitious construction efforts integral in every aspect of the UAE's infrastructure. The Group has participated in most major projects such as construction, logistics, oil and gas services, landscaping, industrial development and trading.
Al Jaber is a premier high quality company through its up-to-date and modern sea fronted facilities), a wide range of equipment and machinery in excess of 4,500 units, a dedicated and professional workforce of over 15,000 employees and foresighted management.
Al Jaber has performed with quality, safety and a commitment to excellence - bringing services and products which have helped build a nation.
About Tourism Development & Investment Company:
Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) is a public joint stock company established under Law No: 12 of 2005 as decreed by the Abu Dhabi Ruler and UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. TDIC is an independent organisation empowered to manage the tourism investment zones of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), which directs and implements strategy for the expansion of the emirate's tourism sector. TDIC will develop the real estate assets that support ADTA's mission of assisting UAE economic diversification through tourism development.
TDIC shareholding, fully owned by ADTA, operates along strictly commercial lines with its projects being self-sustaining and economically feasible. Its activities include creating development and tourism related concepts for specific sites and locations, disposing of, or repositioning, government-owned tourism related assets, entering into joint ventures with investment partners for assets such as hotels or residential products, as well as serving as the master developer for large scale projects.
About Saadiyat Island:
Saadiyat Island - which translates from Arabic as Island of Happiness - is the largest single mixed-use development in the Arabian Gulf. The 27 square kilometre natural island lies only 500 metres offshore Abu Dhabi island - the capital city of the United Arab Emirates.
Saadiyat Island represents one of the most important development opportunities in Abu Dhabi's history. The island, which has 30kms of water frontage and boasts many natural eco-features including mangrove forests, is being developed as a strategic international tourism destination and marks a new era in the rapid evolution of Abu Dhabi, the largest of the seven emirates which form the UAE Federation.
Saadiyat Island will be developed in three phases with total completion scheduled for 2018. The masterplan envisages six highly individual districts and includes 29 hotels, including an iconic 7-star property, three marinas with combined berths for around 1,000 boats, museums and cultural centres, two golf courses, civic and leisure facilities, sea-view apartments and elite villas.
Saadiyat Island's Cultural District will be home to the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi - at 30,000 square feet it will be the world's largest Guggenheim contemporary art museum.
Saadiyat Island will be linked to the main Abu Dhabi island and the Abu Dhabi mainland via two, 10-lane freeways making the destination easily accessible to Abu Dhabi International Airport, which will be just a 25 kilometre drive away.
Saadiyat Island is being developed by the Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), an independent public joint stock company of which Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority is the sole shareholder. TDIC's strategy is to dispose of development land on the island to private investors who will each develop their sites in accordance with the masterplan and supporting planning regulations and design guidelines.
For further information:
Barbara Saunders,
MCS/Action.
Tel: +9714 390 2960;
fax: +9714 390 8161.
email: barbara.s@actionprgroup.com
Or visit Saadiyat Island online at: www.saadiyat.ae
Or visit TDIC online at: www.tdic.ae
Or visit Al Jaber online at: www.aljaber.com
© Press Release 2006
