Enabling Works Contract Awarded For DAMAC Properties’ Marina Bay Development

Luxury lifestyle provider DAMAC Properties Dubai has announced that it has awarded the enabling works contracts for its Marina Bay development at Al Reem Island in Abu Dhabi.

The AED7.5million contract has been awarded to National Dewatering and Drainage services (an offshoot of ‘National Piling’) and work is due to commence on site shortly.

The enabling works are scheduled to last for around four months and will include dewatering, shoring, excavation, piling and pile testing on site.

Marina Bay is a mixed use development which will feature a 25 storey tower of one, two and three bedroom apartments. In addition there will be retail and commercial space with shops and restaurant outlets along the ground and mezzanine levels. Marina Bay’s prime location within the Al Reem master development means that residents will have views across the canals that run through the entire development and also out across the Marina itself.

The Marina Bay tower won two awards at the prestigious 2008 CNBC awards – one for the Best High-rise Architecture and a second for Best Marina Development.

Commenting on the awarding of the enabling works contract, Chairman of DAMAC Holdings Hussain Sajwani said: ‘We are delighted to see that work on site at our Marina Bay development will commence very soon and that we can begin the process of building this truly stunning tower at such a fantastic location.

‘National Piling, who have a solid reputation in the market place for completing enabling works in an efficient and effective manner is a good partnership for us to kick start this important project for DAMAC Properties in Abu Dhabi.’

Marina Bay is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2012 and it is expected that main works will commence on site by the end of this year.

CEO of DAMAC Properties, Peter Riddoch commented: ’Abu Dhabi is a very significant marketplace for DAMAC Properties and we know that the location of our Marina Bay tower will be hugely attractive to customers.

“Part of our success in Dubai has undoubtedly been the ability to identify prime locations and then deliver stylish and iconic buildings. In these turbulent times location is proving an ever increasing factor in the decision making process for customers and we believe that adopting this simple but effective principle across all of our GCC locations will stand us in good stead as the market recovers.’

In Dubai DAMAC Properties has already delivered more than 3,000 units into the market place and has committed to deliver a further 7,100 by the end of 2010. A total of 25 towers will have been completed by the company by the end of 2011.

Marina Bay is one of two projects that DAMAC Properties has underway in Abu Dhabi with the second one being Oceanscape in the highly sought after Shams area of the capital. Enabling works have already been completed for this project and recently retail units at the development were released for sale.

Mr Riddoch concluded: ‘We have made a clear commitment to progress and construction during 2009 and the enabling works starting at Marina Bay is just a typical example of how we are demonstrating this commitment. We look forward to the successful completion of this important foundation work within the next few months.’

Fashion and Golf Meet on the Fairways of the Dubai World Championship

Leisurecorp, a division of Nakheel Leisure, has announced a global partnership with Polo Ralph Lauren joining together a world-renowned luxury lifestyle brand and one of the most innovative new tournaments in golf.

Polo Ralph Lauren has become the official outfitter for the Dubai World Championship, the anticipated season-ending event to the inaugural Race to Dubai, and will dress officials, marshals and PRO-AM players. The two-year partnership fully extends to this week’s European Open in addition to the 2010 tournament, and is in line with Leisurecorp’s efforts to bring new audiences to golf by lending the sport a modern, stylish image.

In the coming months, Polo Ralph Lauren will unveil a collection of Dubai World Championship golf wear for men and women that will be sold internationally at select Ralph Lauren retail locations and at the tournament itself. They will also design a new shirt to be worn exclusively by the leading European Tour player caddies at the Dubai World Championship, replacing the traditional caddie bib.

Polo Ralph Lauren already partners with European Tour members Luke Donald and Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño; outside of golf, Polo Ralph Lauren is official sponsor of the U.S. Open (Tennis) and an official outfitter of the Wimbledon Championships.

David Lauren, Senior Vice President of Advertising, Marketing and Corporate Communications for Polo Ralph Lauren, said:

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Leisurecorp for the Dubai World Championship and The European Open. This new partnership is very much in line with our support of high-profile sporting events, and builds on our existing relationships with leading European Tour golfers Luke Donald and Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño.”

The Race to Dubai season-long competition includes 49 golf tournaments at 26 destinations around the world. The contest will conclude in November, when the leading 60 players will qualify for the Dubai World Championship, thereby ensuring that only the world’s best players will have the chance to compete. The Dubai World Championship will be a celebration of golf for spectators and players alike. Tickets for all four days are available free of charge.

Hamza Mustafa, Managing Director of Nakheel Leisure, said:

“We are thrilled to welcome Polo Ralph Lauren into a partnership with the Dubai World Championship. We look forward to working with what is undoubtedly one of the world’s most prestigious fashion brands as they continue to build their brand presence in leading global sports events.

“The Dubai World Championship will provide a thrilling crescendo to The Race to Dubai, and the opportunity to introduce such a modern and luxurious brand as Polo Ralph Lauren is entirely fitting with our vision to truly differentiate this event within the golfing world."

The Dubai World Championship will be held on the Greg Norman-designed Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, from 19 to 22 November. The event recently received patronage from His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of the Executive Council.

The 32nd European Open will be the first of the two events, and will take place at the London Golf Club in Kent from 28 to 31 May. This year, golf fans will be able to see a world-class field free of charge on any day of The European Open, following the success of the tournament’s ”Free Ticket Thursday” promotion last year, which attracted nearly 24,000 spectators.

For more information on the tournaments, please visit:

European Open Championship: EuropeanTour.com

Dubai World Championship: DubaiWorldChampionship.com

For information on sponsorship, please contact:

David Collins
Director of Sponsorship, Leisurecorp
David.Collins@leisurecorp.com
PH (04) 3662910
Corporate Hospitality
Kerry Bannerman
Hospitality@dubaiworldchampionship.com
PH (04) 365 8678

Marking Completion Of Almost 500 Floors, Construction Full Steam Ahead At DAMAC Properties

Making construction and delivery its key focus, DAMAC Properties, the luxury lifestyle provider today announced the completion of almost 500 floors across all its projects in Dubai. Marking a significant achievement, the company also announced its plans to award construction contracts worth AED 2 billion in 2009, with the aim to deliver an additional 7,100 units by the end of 2010.“Our focus for 2009 and 2010 is construction & delivery. By the end of this year we plan to award AED 2 billion worth of contracts for the construction of ten new projects. We will maintain this momentum and emerge as a market leader in the region. Across Dubai, DAMAC Properties has built almost 500 floors of residential, commercial and retail units thus far, this is a significant milestone for us and we look forward to doubling this number soon,” said, Hussain Sajwani, Chairman, DAMAC Holding.“To succeed in these times of market uncertainty, it is important to demonstrate commitment to customers and maintain their confidence. Completion of projects and delivery is a key industry concern and our aim is to reassure our customers about their investments and deliver their purchase to them as planned,” said Peter Riddoch, CEO, DAMAC Properties.

During the year 2008, DAMAC Properties awarded an impressive AED 2.5 billion worth of contracts. A total of 60 contracts were awarded during the year comprising of initial consultants to main contractors. In 2009, the majority of the contracts awarded will be main contracts.DAMAC Properties has delivered over 2,300 units during the last six months and is embarking on an aggressive delivery plan during the next two years. It plans to have delivered 25 towers in total by the end of 2009. With almost 500 floors completed across all its projects and having already delivered 9 towers till date, the property developer is full steam ahead in construction.

The company has made notable progress across its various projects and recently announced the completion of Lake View, Executive Heights and The Cresent. Highlighting the pace of construction at DAMAC projects, the company is building a floor every 5.2 days at its Ocean Heights tower in located Dubai Marina. And the company’s iconic twin tower development – Park Towers at DIFC is also rising quickly by a floor every week. DAMAC Properties have already recorded significant achievements across various projects in its first quarter of 2009. The company has completed enabling works at the Lincoln Park site at Arjan in Dubailand. The construction of its project XL Tower, located at Business Bay, has reached the third floor while Its Smart Heights development has reached the half way point of construction – 15th floors. External cladding and painting has started at Emirates Garden in Jumeirah Village. The company has also completed the enabling works for its Executive Bay development at Business Bay.Further information is available at www.damacproperties.com
 

’Expect More’ At Arabian Center And Win Prizes Worth AED 150,000

Arabian Center, the latest hotspot for shopping, leisure and entertainment located on Al Khawaneej Road, Dubai, has announced the introduction of its first ever shopper promotion. The promotion titled ‘Expect More’ will give all shoppers who spend AED 200/- at the mall a chance to win luxury lifestyle prizes worth AED 150,000/-. The exciting raffle promotion will be held from April 29 to May 16, 2009.Arabian Center will enter every shopper who spends AED 200/- at any outlet within the mall into a raffle draw. The grand draw to be held in May will give a chance to 10 lucky shoppers to win gift vouchers worth AED 15,000 each from promotion partners Homes R Us, Damas Jewellery, Aldo, Aldo Accessories, Spring and Arabian Center vouchers. The total value of gift vouchers to be given away is AED 150,000/-.Commenting on the ‘Expect More’ promotion, Mr. Tim Jones, COO, Arabian Center said, “At Arabian Center, we aim at bringing value to our customers by offering an all encompassing family shopping destination. The mall promises a fun and relaxed experience in shopping as well as leisure and entertainment. With the current raffle draw promotion, we aim to make this experience more enjoyable and rewarding for our customers. The promotion is especially designed to cater to customer satisfaction as the vouchers can be redeemed for any other desired lifestyle brand across the mall.”“We invite all our customers to take advantage of this exciting raffle promotion while discovering the latest trends and fashions in clothes, accessories, home furniture and furnishings and other exciting retail options,” Mr. Jones further added.Sprawling over a generous area of 80,000 square meters, the mall is home to over 200 internationally renowned brands ranging from clothing to home furnishings, electronics, jewellery, perfumes, fashion accessories, toys and games. The mall also houses a hypermarket – World Mart, which carries a wide variety of products fulfilling the daily needs of the shoppers.With the first of its kind fully digital eight screen cinema, health and medical centers, children’s day care centers and banks, the Arabian Center Mall is a complete family destination for shopping, leisure and entertainment, catering to a large audience of Arabs, Europeans and Asians.
About Arabian CenterArabian Center, the latest venture in the mall segment by Lal’s Group, is located in Mirdif on Al Khawaneej Road. The mall caters to a mix audience of Arabs, Europeans and Asians. Easily accessible through Emirates Road and Dubai By Pass Road, the mall is also in reach of people residing in other parts of Dubai as well as Sharjah.Sprawling over a generous area of 80,000 square meters, the mall is home to over 200 internationally renowned brands ranging from clothing to home furnishings, electronics, jewellery, perfumes, fashion accessories, toys and games. The mall also houses a hypermarket – World Mart, which carries a wide variety of products fulfilling the daily needs of the shoppers.Sporting Arabian architecture with a modern outlook, the mall features segregated shopping zones for men, women and children, which provide a convenient shopping experience to all. In addition to this, it also has a fully equipped medical centre, a children’s day care centre, banks, a health centre with a spa, Immigration Department, Emirates Post Office, a multi-cuisine Food Court & casual family dine-in restaurants and a soon to open 8 screen Cinema City with the first ever Digital theatre experience.
 

The ’Big Brands Mega Carnival 2009’ Is Now Bigger With Discounts Of Up To 80 Percent Off!

‘Big Brands Mega Carnival 2009’, the highly anticipated 2009 spring sale organized by Inter Brands Corporation, was inaugurated today at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DWTC), Dubai. The five-day carnival, offering mega discounts of up to 80 per cent off on all high-end luxury lifestyle products, will be held from April 15-19, 2009 at Hall 4, DWTC, Dubai. The event was inaugurated today by Mr. Ibrahim Saleh, Coordinator General, Dubai Shopping Festival Office.

This year’s ‘Big Brands Mega Carnival 2009’ in Dubai will include for the first time huge discounts on “CROCS” foot wear, the world-wide leading designer, manufacturer and retailer of footwear for men, women and children under the Crocstm brand. The comfortable shoes which serve versatile functioning for all casual and recreational purposes will be available at extremely attractive prices at the Big Brands Mega Carnival 2009.

The Big Brands Mega Carnival will offer attractive discounts of up to 80 per cent of on a variety of products including fragrances, bags, watches, sun glasses, shoes, fashion clothes, accessories, cosmetics, hair products of the all world of the best known brands. To name some major brands whose merchandise will be part of the carnival include Chopard, Ralph Lauren, Christian Dior, Cacharel, Lacoste and Geox.

Commenting on the Big Brands Carnival 2009, Mr. Vijay Samyani, Managing Director, Inter Brands Corporation said: “Big Brands Carnival today has become well recognized and is keenly looked forward event by UAE residents and tourists. In 2004, the Big Brands Carnival was first conceived, conceptualized and organized. What started as a one off sale occurrence is today a yearly phenomenon. The previous editions of the sales have experienced an average footfall of 10,000 customers everyday. Big Brands Carnival 2009 will be spread over 50,000 sq ft, which we believe will attract a lot of our old patrons and lot of new shoppers too.”

He added, “Big Brands in the past has successfully conducted more than 18 events in the last 4 years. We are very happy to introduce ‘Crocs’ from the new addition brand. In order to give customers more value for their MONEY in these difficult times, Big Brands will provide heavy discounts, thus letting the customers save a lot on their shopping on luxury items.”

Commenting on their first time participation, Mr. Michael Brown, Managing Director, Crocs, Dubai, said, “Big Brands sales has become a household name and we are proud to associate Crocs footwear with them. We had received a phenomenal response from the mega sale held in Singapore. We are certain that our clients would rush to the Big Brands Sale and avail of the massive discounts we would have on our footwear range. We look forward to a long-term association with the Big Brands Sale.”

The ‘Big Brands Mega Carnival 2009’ will not only offer great products at great prices but will also provide plenty of opportunity to win fabulous prizes too. Lucky draws will be conducted on all days of the sale, wherein the winner walks away with shopping vouchers of amazing value.

Inter Brands Corporation is a major distributor of luxury lifestyle products in the GCC and other parts of the world, and has emerged as the leading organizer of season specific High Street fashion sale events. The Corporation has organized 18 successful seasonal Big Brands Sale events over the last four years namely sales over summer, Ramadan, and Xmas.

Zegna’s S/S 2009 Accessories Epitomise The Luxury Lifestyle

Ermenegildo Zegna, the global men’s luxury fashion brand, offers a range of spring/summer 2009 accessories to keep the contemporary gentleman in step with the season’s relaxed elegance.

The iconic Italian fashion house’s Heritage collection bags include a Boston travel holdall and an attaché case made of the finest crocodile leathers. Exquisitely crafted and hand polished, these investment pieces are sure to become tomorrow’s sophisticated classics. Colours such as black, tan and bordeaux add a dash of urbane masculinity that enhances the season’s business or leisure wardrobe.

Limited Edition Shoes display Zegna’s mark of impeccable craftsmanship. Also hand crafted and hand buffed, the leather has a two-tone coloured effect while the Goodyear Construction sole provides superior flexibility and durability. Each pair comes in a handsome leather chest complete with cherry wood shoe horns, a shoe buffer and a leather care kit.

Sunglasses from the Zebrano Eyewear collection feature the luxurious material and sleek lines characteristic of modern Italian chic. Aviators have ‘60s-inspired two-tone acetate and lightweight metal frames, as well as Zebrano wood arms and trims. Bamboo, Madagascar rosewood and Moore oak are some of the wood varieties chiseled to perfection and paired with high-quality lenses, displaying the harmony between natural material and technological innovation.

Ermenegildo Zegna accessories are available from the brand’s boutiques at The Dubai Mall, The Boulevard – Emirates Towers and the Mall of the Emirates, a corner shop at Saks Fifth Avenue – Burjuman Centre and selected Rodeo Drive boutiques across Dubai and Abu Dhabi.