ABU DHABI, 13 November 2006:  Sorouh Real Estate has made considerable progress in implementing the first stage of construction of its flagship project, SHAMS Abu Dhabi, on Reem Island.  At a Sorouh-initiated media tour of the island today, Dr. Adnan Sahli, Executive Director-Projects, detailed the progress achieved in developing the SHAMS Abu Dhabi site since the ground-breaking ceremony of July 23, 2006.

SHAMS Abu Dhabi, Sorouh's prestigious launch project, is located on Reem Island, 300 meters across from the northeastern shore of Abu Dhabi city. Sorouh has described SHAMS Abu Dhabi as the face of the new and emerging Abu Dhabi because of its proximity to the mainland and its pleasing and imposing visual impact.  The project is slated for completion in two phases, in 2009 and 2011.

Dr. Sahli said construction work has been progressing on three fronts: 

  • Piling for Tower 1 (Sky Tower) and 2 of the Gate District of SHAMS Abu Dhabi

  • Dredging and reclamation

  • Earthworks and Deep Sewers

The construction work on the Marina will begin shortly,  and will be followed by the construction of the bridges.

Piling for the Sky Tower and the second tower of the Gate District is about 65 percent complete.  Piling work will be completed by the end of this year, setting the stage to begin the construction of the two towers and their podium totaling an area of 5 million square feet by January 2007, he said.  

When completed in late 2009, the 83-storey, 379-meter high Sky Tower will be the tallest building in Abu Dhabi and the world's 15th tallest according to current ranking.   It is part of The Gate District of SHAMS Abu Dhabi which will include seven other breathtaking buildings that will offer a broad choice of commercial, residential and retail opportunities. 

Recalling that Sorouh had announced the arrival of the "Queen of the Netherlands" in August to begin dredging operations for SHAMS, Dr. Sahli said 2.5 million cubic meters of dredged sand have been pumped onto the site since then.  Out of this, about one-third of dredged material has been used in forming areas of reclamation and road embankments, making up about 25 percent of the total filling required.

"Reclamation work so far has resulted in the formation of about 500 meters of rock revetment. Currently about 10,000 tons of rock are being delivered to the site each week, and this is likely to accelerate in the coming days," Dr. Sahli said.

About 600 meters - amounting to 30 percent of overall length - of trench has been opened for the construction of the deep sewage system.  Dr. Sahli said about 1,900 meters of GRP pipe will be laid for the sewers, ranging from diameters of 400 mm up to 1200 mm. 

The SHAMS office site on the island to house Sorouh's technical team, the core project management team and the construction management team is also complete.  

Sorouh has said that SHAMS Abu Dhabi is designed to deliver on its corporate promise of "Life in Perfect Balance" as it offers residents a living and working environment that promotes an overall sense of well-being  by providing for their physical, intellectual, spiritual and social needs.  

-Ends-

Editor's Note:
Sorouh Real Estate PJSC was established on 26th June 2005 with a capital of AED 2.5 billion with the objective of developing world-class properties in its home market of Abu Dhabi. It is listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Market. SHAMS Abu Dhabi, Sorouh's flagship project, is being built on Reem Island, which is located just 300 meters off the northeastern shore of the capital city.

For further information:
Wael Kanakri
Asda'a Public Relations
Tel: 971 (0) 2 633 4133
Mob 971 (0) 50 731 5397
Fax: 971 (0) 2 633 4233
e-mail: w.kanakri@asdaa.com

© Press Release 2006