Angela Giuffrida talks to Steve McConnachie from Al Masaood Bergum about building prefab labour accommodation.
Developer will create up to 200,000 units in Dubai over next 10 years to calm market.
Reuters, Wednesday, 19 September 2007, ArabianBusiness/News
Christopher Sell looks into the technicalities of land reclamation projects.
Large government developers are keeping the UAE ahead in the environmental sustainability stakes.
Shaun Lenehan, Saturday, 29 September 2007, ArabianBusiness/Comment
Cityscape exhibitor Crystal Lagoons in advanced negotiations with Middle East clients.
Nakheel has completely sold the first phase of its family-focused Al Furjan development in Jebel Ali, Dubai.
ArabianBusiness.com staff writer , Wednesday, 03 October 2007, ArabianBusiness/News
Japan's Taisei is among firms chasing contract to build Nakheel development on Palm Jumeirah.
ArabianBusiness.com staff writer , Thursday, 04 October 2007, ArabianBusiness/News
What are renewable energy's real chances of success in oil-rich ME amid global warming fears, climate change?
ArabianBusiness.com staff writer , Thursday, 04 October 2007, ArabianBusiness/Features
Lauren Willington examines the new building regulations aimed at preserving the integrity of a city's aesthetic.
Nakheel's Marina Residences development on The Palm Jumeirah is now 20% complete.
ArabianBusiness.com staff writer , Saturday, 06 October 2007, ArabianBusiness/News
Giving developers structures they need while adding consumer protection will lead to more mature Dubai property market.
David Nicholson, Saturday, 06 October 2007, ArabianBusiness/Comment
Nakheel's Design Group plans to design LEED accredited green buildings.
Nakheel sells island on man-made archipelago to prominent Chinese businessman.
The Arabianbusiness.com Cost of Luxury Living Index reveals the soaring price of privilege in the UAE.
Rob Corder, Wednesday, 10 October 2007, ArabianBusiness/News
A look at Dubai's annual showcase for real estate developers and the most impressive attractions.
Dubai-based property giant considering listing in next two years in bid to fund new projects, CEO says.
State-owned property firm wants to borrow $3bn to fund projects, including tower that may top Burj Dubai.
Palm Jebel Ali's sheer scale puts its celebrity-endorsed neighbour Palm Jumeirah firmly in the shade.
Matt Slater, Thursday, 11 October 2007, ArabianBusiness/News
Developer finding it increasingly difficult to dredge up enough sand for made-made islands, official says.
Dylan Bowman, Thursday, 11 October 2007, ArabianBusiness/News
Comments 1-10 of 10
Posted by Yasmin, Dubai, UAE on 26 June 2009 at 20:16 UAE time
Discovery Gardens apartments are big and spacious, yes. But are they comfortable to live in - no. The drains and toilets smell revoltingly bad 24/7. There are leaks from various places in the ceilings that never seem to be able to be fixed no matter how many times maintenance come to 'fix' them. Our bath has black marks on it that can't be removed no matter what we try. The floor tiles are covered with marks and scuffs. The bathroom doors don't close properly. When the AC is on you can smell cigarette smoke, garlic, onions, you name it from neighbours apartments.... I could continue, but it would get boring. Are we going to renew our lease when it expires? NEVER. Not even if it dropped to below half of the price of what we're paying now. I'd not recommend Discovery Gardens to anyone.
Posted by Alex, Dubai, UAE on 23 June 2009 at 10:34 UAE time
The Charges are unexpectedly high compared to others, also after paying such huge charges there is no satisfaction from the NAM. I have complained once for some A/C leak and it took more than a week to the maintanence team to come and fix it and such time i was leaving in hot condition without the A/C. This is what you pay for such huge maintanence charge to leave in this hot summer days. Where is the maintanence charges fullfilment? Disgusting.
Posted by pest off, uae, uae on 23 June 2009 at 01:53 UAE time
i think nakheel they confused between jbr next to the SEA and discovery garden in the DESSERT, so PLEASE NAKHEEL CAN YOU NOTE DOWN THAT JBR SERVICE CHARGE IS DHS. 15 AND NOW YOU ASKING THE PEOPLE IN THE DESSERT TO PAY YOU 25....PLEASE WAKE UPPPPPPP HELLOOO !!!!!!!!!! ANY BODY HOME
Posted by fohseno, dubai, uae on 23 June 2009 at 01:32 UAE time
they told us the swiming pool gonna be ready in 2-3 month, its been 9month and nothing
even we were playing in tennis court near B68, but they have closed it since 3month becuz some light problem, they said we cant fix it, NAKHEEL cant fix a light problem.
Posted by in the know, dubai on 22 June 2009 at 19:09 UAE time
I am a career real estate professional, I've been in the Dubai RE market for over five years, and I personally know some of the Nakheel Asset Management Team. I can certifiably say that this is a hoax. I personally conducted a study into the true service charge cost of a standard apartment building in 2005, and it amounted to AED5.5 per sq.ft. This included everything from security salaries to insurance and maintenance. While the world became more expensive since, it did not become so expensive as to justify a service charge of AED 25 per sq.ft at the Discovery Gardens. Let's face it, Discovery Gardens is no 'des res' (desireable residence). It isn't the nicest of all the possible ghettoes (did I say ghetto?) in the world. What's more, It's not as if Nakheel actually provide much services to the properties. Common areas are damaged and remain unfixed, lighting is often problematic, and the development is built underneath electricity pylons so that glow-in-the-dark children are going to be the 'must have' accessory of all residents.
The reason why Nakheel is charging so much is simple. It's not that it costs them so much. It's that they sold the properties at original prices of AED 300 per sq.ft, and watched as the market then speculatively drove them as high as AED 1000 per sq.ft, losing out on the profit therein, while at the same time incurring massive losses on their failures elsewhere, like their famous undercosting of the Palm Jumeirah project, or the infamous disaster that is Palm Deira.
Hiking up service charges to unjustifiable levels, and then using their unquestioned authority to force residents to pay these arbitrary amounts, is daylight robbery and is a clear attempt to recover the actual losses and opportunity losses that they have incurred.
Pay at your own will.
Posted by Lowai Alkawarit, Dubai, UAE on 22 June 2009 at 16:09 UAE time
The charges being paid at the first year in the discovery gardens are extremely high it’s more than what the luxury villa owners paid to EMAAR at the neighbouring developments?
More over it’s well known that at the first year after the property completion is under the defect liability period (dlp) and the contactors shall repair any defect or problems for free.
Posted by karel, dubai, uae on 22 June 2009 at 15:20 UAE time
Unfortunately, there is practically no service or maintenance.
The promised swimming pools are standing dry since 9 months.
Each building was supposed to have a concierge = not existing.
No owners associations created, no verifiable accounts.
What is this maintenance charge for?
Posted by Mohamed A, dubai, UAE on 22 June 2009 at 14:35 UAE time
i think from 15 to 10AED
Posted by Hans on 22 June 2009 at 14:07 UAE time
This is a positive development but we have to wait and see what it really means. The annual service charge has many components and amounts to almost AED 28/sqft. Is the AED 5/sqft reduction charge applicable on this total rate or a component?
At this point, given the terrible maintenance service, this reduction is not enough! It is still more expensive than Dubai Marina or JBR!
Posted by looking around, Dubai, UAE on 22 June 2009 at 12:33 UAE time
So what's the rate now????
was it 30 now 25, or 7 now 2 !!??