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Work on Burj Dubai interiors rapidly progresses
Work on the interiors of Burj Dubai, the world’s tallest
building is progressing alongside the tower’s exterior cladding.
 The
building’s sleek silver cladding is now almost complete.
Currently over 800 metres (2,624.7 ft) high, the tower’s interiors are an
aesthetic confluence of the best of the architectural influences from around the
world and the region.
Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of developer Emaar Properties, said: “Burj Dubai is a
once in a lifetime architectural accomplishment and is the Arab world’s tribute
to the art and science of modern engineering and design. A global icon that
draws on international engineering expertise, Burj Dubai will symbolize the
aesthetic unison of many cultures – from Arabia and the rest of the world.”
He added: “The interiors place a special focus on the region’s heritage and
geographical location in its design approach and selection of materials. The
design emphasizes on the best results in space planning and utilization
alongside the finest detailing, to give residents and visitors an unprecedented
lifestyle experience.”
Apart from glass, stainless steel and polished dark stones, the interiors of
Burj Dubai also feature Silver Travertine flooring, Venetian stucco walls,
handmade rugs, stone flooring and dark, intricate Brazilian Santos Rosewood to
reflect shelter, comfort, and above all, restrained luxury. Surfaces on the
upper floors will be advanced in finishes of silver metallic lacquers to provide
a sense of brightness and enlightenment.
A mixed-use tower featuring the world’s first Armani Hotel Dubai and Armani
Residences, alongside corporate suites, residences, retail and leisure
facilities, Burj Dubai is at the centre of Downtown Burj Dubai, a 500-acre
mega-development by Emaar Properties. Among an array of lifestyle amenities, the
tower will have a public observatory deck on level 124.
The extravagant interior designs
of the Burj Dubai.
Described as the new heart of Dubai, Downtown Burj Dubai
encompasses The Dubai Mall, one of the world’s largest shopping and
entertainment destinations; several hotels; offices and homes. A stellar
attraction within the community is The Dubai Fountain, the world’s tallest
performing fountain.
Burj Dubai has already achieved the distinction of being the world’s tallest
structure surpassing the KVLY-TV mast (628.8 metres; 2,063 ft) in North Dakota,
USA. The tower is taller than Taipei 101 in Taiwan, which at 508 metres (1,667
ft) has held the tallest-building-in-the-world title since it opened in 2004.
Burj Dubai also surpassed the 31-year-old record of CN Tower, which at 553.33
metres (1,815.5 ft) had been the world’s tallest free-standing structure on land
since 1976.
Designed by SOM, Burj Dubai is constructed by high-rise experts South Korea’s
Samsung Corporation. Turner Construction International is the project and
construction manager. The tower employs the latest in wind engineering,
structural engineering, structural systems, construction materials and
construction methods. (Source Emaar Properties)
Thai go-ahead
Sirima Eamtako
(TTG Asia)
It’s all systems go for Middle East-backed developments in Thailand, despite
challenges both at the source and the destination.
According to Starwood Hotels and Resorts regional vice-president for Thailand,
Vietnam and Cambodia and Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel and Towers managing
director, Wayne Buckingham, Starwood’s two W hotel projects, both joint ventures
with Dubai-based Nakheel, are moving ahead.
He said all Starwood’s projects in Thailand were pushing through “although some
may be a little slower in pace of construction”. At press time, the hotel chain
listed 13 hotel developments under seven brands, slated to open by 2011.
 Wayne
Buckingham.
Buckingham stressed: “The two W hotels in Koh Samui and Bangkok are on schedule
and should open in 2010 and 2011 respectively.”
Meanwhile, Dubai-based Jumeirah Group’s press office has confirmed the
five-billion baht (US$141.25 million) Jumeirah Private Island Phuket, developed
by Thailand’s TGR Group Asia, is on track for a 2011 opening.
But the 300-room Mövenpick Resort and Spa Pattaya is facing a delay. Part of
Thai-based Apex Developments’ White Sand Beach project, the hotel will be
managed by Mövenpick Hotels and Resorts Bangkok, where Kingdom Group has 33.3
per cent equity.
Apex’s sales office said the layouts of the high-rise condominiums are being
adjusted and construction will resume in June.
New completion dates are May 2012 for the condominium and end-2012 for the
hotel. Mövenpick Hotels and Resorts Management director of technical services
and development Asia-Pacific, Bruce Barclay, said sales and construction had
only been temporarily suspended.
“Our management role will likely expand to include other aspects of the
development upon completion of this restructure. The developer expects
construction activity to recommence in June.”
Thai-based hospitality consultant C9 Hotelworks managing director, Bill Barnett,
said management-only and ongoing locally driven projects were proceeding, but
those in their early stages were uncertain. “Projects under construction have
capital formation and debt in place, so they are moving ahead. Management
agreements are long-term and binding so they will hold up.”
Barnett noted that Thailand offered good investment incentives for hospitality
assets. For instance, a foreign investor could fully own investments of more
than 100 rooms, “which is attractive”.
But political risk remained the firing point, he said.
“It is correct to assume the growing pains of democracy will remain but in the
longer term, Thailand is a good bet (for property investment).”
Raimon Land completes home for underprivileged children in Klong Toey with Mercy Centre
Henri Young, Director of Marketing Raimon Land PLC
with children and Father Joe Maier, Human Development Foundation Founder and
Director (6th left), at the inauguration of the Baan Mercy Ruamjai Pattana
building, Klong Toey.
Luxury property developer Raimon Land has completed the construction of the Baan
Mercy Ruamjai Pattana building for the Human Development Foundation in Klong
Toey to house underprivileged children from the area.
Announced in May last year, the project has been finished in just over twelve
months at a cost of THB 9 million, donated by Raimon Land and other suppliers
who work with the developer. These include contractors Bouygues Thai and NET,
concept designer Graham Lamb, architect Stephen J. Leach, and engineers
Meinhardt and EEC Lincoln Scott.
The aim of the development is to create a safe and non-abusive environment for
40 children, with ages ranging from five to late teens, and to provide them with
an as near as possible to normal upbringing considering their circumstances.
The realisation of this project reaffirms Raimon Land’s long-standing commitment
to its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme, which continues to plan
despite the global economic slowdown.
Raimon Land Chief Executive Officer, Hubert Viriot, said: “Supporting the
community, with children at its heart, is very much in line with our vision of
developing a better environment, to which we remain completely dedicated.”
The children at Mercy Centre have been engaged in the initiative from the
beginning, with a competition run amongst them to decide what the home should be
called – with 7 year old Voravut Charoenthai winning. Other activities include
involvement in artwork and interior fittings to ensure a personalised feel and a
sense of familiarity and belonging.
Human Development Foundation Founder and Director, Father Joe Maier, said: “We
are extremely grateful to Raimon Land and their partners for their support and
whole-hearted involvement in creating Baan Mercy Ruamjai Pattana. It is a very
high-quality and much needed addition to our facilities.”
Baan Mercy Ruamjai Pattana houses individual bed and storage facilities for the
children, as well as games, kitchen and laundry facilities, a homework area, an
on-site guardian and a garden on the second floor to grow herbs and vegetables.
Thongchai Solokkoo, one of the children who will move into the house said, “We
like this house a lot. It’s beautiful with plenty of space for us as well as
trees and a lawn to play on. We promise that we will take good care of this
house.
The original idea to build the house was inspired by the inaugural Thailand
Property Awards in 2007, for which Mercy Centre was the beneficiary. Raimon Land
was acknowledged as Best Developer at the awards organised by Thailand Property
Report.
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