Turning up the heat: fast-track techniques give contractors winning advantage

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Construction has been divided into packages. Contractors working on site include Al Futtaim Carillion and Nasa Multiplex. (Dmitry Dolzhanskiy/ITP Images)

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Ahmed says that triple glazing will be used to limit noise. (Dmitry Dolzhanskiy/ITP Images)

In a region that enjoys a fascination with four-wheels, it seemed prudent that within the entertainment complex of Dubailand, a project is currently under construction that is geared to satisfy the cravings of all those who are interested in motor sport.

Motor City is currently being developed on an 11 million m² site and encompasses residential, business, sports and leisure opportunities in the form of five major components: Dubai Autodrome, F1 Theme Park, Business Park Motor City, Uptown Motor City and Green Community Motor City. It is being developed by Union Properties, with an expected investment of US $3 billion (AED10 billion).

Of these, only Dubai Autodrome - an FIA-certified track measuring 5.39km, has been completed. The $360 million F1 theme park, which, according to Zayed Ahmed, real estate executive, Union Properties, will be a world first and occupy 300,000m², is being developed as an ‘edutainment' park complete with museum, retail, restaurants and virtual experience and will be developed in conjunction with F1. Delivery is expected towards the middle of 2009, though, as yet, no contract has been awarded for the park.

For residential demands, Union Properties has planned two distinct developments. Uptown Motor City will house 3,500 units, ranging from studios to three-bedroom apartments. "We have launched the first phase of nine buildings, and we plan to have 40 in total," says Ahmed. Green Community Motor City will house 300 villas in three types of units - townhouses, family villas and bungalows. Again, this has been launched, with construction underway and the family villas have all been sold. Once complete, it is expected to house 10-12,000 residents.

Addressing the concerns of noise pollution affecting those in proximity to the track, Ahmed points out that, in addition to conducting noise studies, the nearest villa will be approximately 1km from the race track. This is coupled with the fact that all windows are triple-glazed and the topographical alignment of the track will see it sit below the level of the residential areas, with buildings acting as a sound barrier.

"But ultimately, we are not going to kid you around. There will be noise; the whole theme of the city is that people will be excited by this, interested by this and lured to live here by the concept of motor sports," says Ahmed.

Motor City's business park, though looking to cultivate a strong commercial base, will still have an emphasis on the automotive industry. Divided into three sectors: retail boulevard, motor commercial district and the applied technology district, it is expected to attract tenancy from high-profile auto-related companies. The motor commercial district will feature eight towers of commercial offices, which will be offered to private developers, and Ahmed says these will be ready for handover in the next two to three months. The same setup will apply for the applied technology district. "We are offering this to specific investors. They would have to develop this facility to service the Autodrome, so anybody interested in this would have to be directly related to the motorsport industry.

"They will construct the facility, their own workshop and their offices in such a way that they can access the track whenever they need a car launching or testing. We have signed up four manufacturers for the applied technology district so far, but we cannot disclose who."

Situated within the motor commercial district will be the Automall. Nasa Multiplex is the contractor and the lump sum package, worth $256 million, includes construction of the mall, a 38-storey office tower and a three-level showroom at Motor City.

It is hoped the commercial space on the development will help to alleviate the dearth of office availability in Dubai, with the further attraction of being freehold and in what the company hopes to be a prestigious location. "These properties will be the first freehold units from Union Properties outside of Dubai International Financial Centre," explains Ahmed. However, the company has no plans to apply for freezone status.

With infrastructure and congestion a daily concern of every development within the emirate, questions have been raised over the ability of Motor City to meet capacity demands, especially on race days when 15,000 people are expected to be at the Autodrome.

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