developer q&a 30
City of Arabia
Alex Vacha, Deputy Director for Projects, City of Arabia,
talks peer group networking opportunities and animatronic
dinosaurs ahead of this year’s show
Have you had to adjust any of the key elements of your master plan
due to the current economic climate?
We have made adjustments to the overall development in view of
the global economic climate, but the overarching basis for City of
Arabia – which comprises four elements: Mall of Arabia, Restless
Planet, Wadi Walk and Elite Towers – remains the same. Overall,
we are satisfied that with construction progressing around the
clock, we have inbuilt flexibility.
Has investment interest in the project slowed down in recent months?
A total of 80 percent of residential properties in City of Arabia
have already been sold, and 89 percent of the gross leasable area
for phase one of Mall of Arabia is leased and committed. As a
result, investment interest has not been affected. The remaining
residential properties and retail space is purposefully being held
back and will be released nearer to the opening of the project.
Is the industry becoming increasingly willing to talk more
realistically about business levels and economic challenges?
City of Arabia has always tried to be as transparent as possible.
Reali stically, there has been an impact on the market and the
What have been the biggest ‘successes’ for the company in 2009? cons truction industry is going through difficult times. Addressing
Many construction milestones have been reached in 2009 to date. the challenges and opportunities we face can only make us stronger.
Piling works at the Mall of Arabia are now complete, construction
work at Wadi Walk is continuing apace, with shoring works and
bulk excavation complete. Construction has also commenced on
Wadi Tower, I&M Tower and Metro Tower – three high-rise towers
featuring state-of-the-art architecture. The towers will offer
fantastic views of the Dubai Skyline and City of Arabia. A total of 70
of the 110 animatronic dinosaurs that will feature in Mall of Arabia’s
Restless Planet attraction have been finished. The dinosaurs are
being created in Japan by Kokoro and will be brought to Dubai a few
months before the attraction opens.
What are the particular challenges that you have had to face so far
this year?
With a project as large as City of Arabia, which covers 20 million
square feet, some delays in the course of construction are
inevitable. However, works on all major elements of the project
are progressing and we are confident that we will deliver a project
of exceptional quality. The project will have a phased opening
from the end of 2010.
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