Dubai: Meraas Development, a new real estate developer, has burst on to Dubai's property stage with the announcement of its first-ever project worth a staggering Dh350 billion and involving one of the world's tallest buildings - with varied microclimates and a mini-Manhattan.
Jumeirah Gardens will be a fully integrated, mixed-use development project located in the old Satwa area west of Shaikh Zayed Road and flanked by Al Diyafa Street and Safa Park.
The project aims to cater to a population of 50,000 to 60,000 residents.
The announcement comes amid a global market crash that has shattered investor confidence worldwide, but goes on to show that Dubai is determined to continue with the vision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The development will redefine living in one of the most popular neighbourhoods of Dubai, currently undergoing demolition to pave the way for the new project.
The project will comprise seven distinct areas, taking up approximately 110 million square feet of land, including the islands. One section will host Dubai Park, which will be half the size of Safa Park.
Phase one of Jumeirah Gardens will cover around 820,000 square metres. It will comprise six main blocks of high-, mid- and low-rise office, retail and residential buildings, two hotels and a high-end shopping area.
Phase one in 2013
Handover of phase one is expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2011, and completion is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2013.
"Every great city has a great park. London has its Hyde Park, New York has its Central Park. This will be Dubai Park," Sina Al Kazim, chief executive of Meraas Development, told Gulf News. The park will be surrounded on all sides by residential apartments, duplexes, penthouses, villas and commercial buildings.
Meraas is planning at least eight landmark buildings in Jumeirah Gardens, including One Dubai, One Park Avenue and Park Gate, which will have six buildings.
The islands will be made up of East Bay and Coastal, predominantly residential, but will also include hotels and resorts.
Will the Meraas Jumeira Gardens project further establish Dubai's image as a world-class city? Do you expect it to improve the standard of living in Dubai? Fill in the form bellow to send your comments.
Your comments
Off the the old, on with the new. This seems to be the mode of operation and it is all very nice but where will the average person live? In the other emirates? Today i spent one hour waiting for a bus at 6.30am. This is a time when there are no traffic jams. A world class city has life, spirit and runs on the heartbeat of people, and on services that work. Not glitzy bling.
Lindsay
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 07, 2008, 14:50
These projects will put Dubai on the world map as one of the most important citie's in the world, We should be all proud to live in a wonderful city like Dubai.
Mehnam
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 07, 2008, 14:48
I am living in Satwa near to Satwa bus station for the last 6 years with my family. I like to see the development in Dubai. But at the same time I would like to know when exactly I will be asked to vacate and it would be more informative if I receive a notification from the land department as when the remaining buidings will be demolished.
Mohan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 07, 2008, 14:14
Another mammoth project for Dubai.. that beats anyone's guess! what next?.
I hope the residents will be housed in a humane way. I feel Satwa should have been spared as it is the real Dubai that was left in this frenzy of development.
Hussein
Dar es salaam,Tanzania
Posted: October 07, 2008, 13:53
New developement is not bad thing, but I do not know what kind of shapes of buildings with out any architectural, traditional and cultural identity.
Developers, consultants should Respect Architectural Identity in a project as whole then as parts.
Other things like inflation in house rents, middle class people, lower middle class all thes things are important for any city in the world.
Syed
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 07, 2008, 13:40
The project definitly adds another feather in Dubai's cap but in the process overlooks many people who are not cushioned by allowances for such a living. A project aimed for such people will generate a much greater interest, keeping in mind that Dubai is already a world class city with numerous prestigious projects.
Devika
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 07, 2008, 13:33
Well i think its great, Im sitting here in London in a boring office and I look out the window and can see the gurkin and the docklands but its just not the same when the weather is so grey.
Naila
London,England
Posted: October 07, 2008, 13:32
The old Satwa was a reminder of the city's past and it had a unique character of its own. It's sad that it's being wiped out and the past can only be found in museums now.
Natasha
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 07, 2008, 13:01
Guys, this is Dubai, UAE we are talking about. It is run and owned by its nationals and they have the right to plan its future according to their vision and not to our benefit as expats.
George
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: October 07, 2008, 12:22
Jumeirah garden city is surely an excellent project which is going to be another wonder land with splendid parks and resorts and hotels. I doubt whether it is going to cater to middle income group who can afford a residence in this park city.
Is there any notice period to the residents who are currently residing in this place. As I am resident in Satwa near to satwa bus station would like to know when exactly we will be asked to vacate and as a lot of families who are still hoping to continue in this place until they receive a notice from the land department.
It would be more informative if the residents receive some kind of notification from the land department as when the remaining buidings will be demolished as of now the demolishing is happening rapidly across the streets of satwa at all corners.
Subha
Dubai,U.A.E
Posted: October 07, 2008, 11:27
This project will definitely further establish Dubai's image as a world-class city but what about the thousands of people and families who will be affected in doing so? Where will they find a reasonable priced place to live?
Umair
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 07, 2008, 11:25
Excellent Project, this will boost dubai real estate market to the new level along with Nakheel Harbour and Towers.
Mohiuddin
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 07, 2008, 10:48
The old satwa behind dhiyafa, and surrounding areas, are residential areas where it is cheaper to live. As long as Meeras, or whoever is developing understands that 50,000 - 60,000 units of housing for the middle income worker makes excellent sense, but if it is for the luxury living, I believe there is nothing great about, just another project in dubai, make a canal, nice buildings, landscape, and a mall, voila, you have another luxury developer.
RS
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 07, 2008, 10:36
I only see buildings where the hell are the roads, we need roads not buildings?
Amyn
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 07, 2008, 10:17
What's the definition of standard of living. Seeing all high-rise hi-tech buildings but spending hours together on the roads (traffic) when the infrastructure is at its lowest standard in terms of city planning.
Ramesh
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 07, 2008, 09:58
Jumeirah Gardens will be amongst the great development in the city of Dubai to cater the over-growing population, but will this be affordable to all those people who were thrown away in these areas?. Hopefully, Jumeirah Gardens will cater people from all walks of life, especially families who cannot afford same as executive accomodation allowance being pampered by companies.
Ramon
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 07, 2008, 09:54
These projects are just self indulgent. Is this project good for the people of Dubai, affordable, accessible etc. or just another chess piece in a game of bigger -more costly - is better?
Francis
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 07, 2008, 09:53
Its not matter of improving ones standard of living or creating a better image of Dubai. The question is whether we really need all that?
Tanveer
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 07, 2008, 09:19
My small family lived in Satwa for in a flat that was our home almost 18 year. My three children born and raised in this building wept silently when one morning we received a demolition notice from the land dvelopment department. Our heart sank in depression when the first furniture peice was lifted to take to the movers truck. Later I stared at the bare walls, the floors on which we sat all these years.
Personally standard of living is a very relative term and for me there is a hollowness.
Mohd
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 07, 2008, 09:14
Meraas Jumeira Gardens project can establish a world class city. Nothing impossible if you have money. It will improve the standard of living here in Dubai but inflation rate will go high.
Suresh
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 07, 2008, 07:23
The entire present developments
in Dubai are not user-friendly,
but speculative actions to fill the pockets of the reckless rich.
Gerhard
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 07, 2008, 06:11
I think that the Meraas Jumeira Gardens project will defintely affect Dubai's image as a world-class city because it is one of a kind. It will redefine Dubai as a whole new and more beautiful city.
Rahul
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 07, 2008, 06:06
Yes, definitely it will change the Dubai's image around the world and it will put Dubai on the top inshahallah.
A.R.
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 07, 2008, 01:45
