Diar plans Victory villas

06 December 2004
Tenders for the construction of villas and community facilities for the estimated $400 million-500 million Victory Heights residential complex within Dubai Sports City (DSC) are due out by February 2005. Completion is scheduled for 2007.
Tenders for the construction of villas and community facilities for the estimated $400 million-500 million Victory Heights residential complex within Dubai Sports City (DSC) are due out by February 2005. Completion is scheduled for 2007.

The local Diar Consult, which completed the overall design for the closed community, is drawing up tender documents for three-four packages. The project calls for the construction of 789 villas themed in Mediterranean, Andalusian and classical European styles all centred around a new golf course. Ernie Els Designis designing The Dunes golf course, which will be managed by US-based Troon Golf. The packages will also call for construction of associated community facilities ranging from mosques, schools, clinics and walkways.

Several companies have also signed up to operate academies within Victory Heights. Manchester United Football Clubwill set up a soccer academy. The Butch Harmon School of Golf will create a golf academy. David Lloyd Academieswill run a tennis academy and operate a Next Generation country club. The International Cricket Council (ICC) will also establish a global cricket academy. The UK's Godwin, Austen & Johnstonhas been selected to design the academies.

Bahrain-based First Islamic Investment Banksigned in July a joint venture with DSC to finance and develop Victory Heights. First Islamic will take a 70 per cent equity stake in the project, while HSBChas fully underwritten an Islamically structured financing facility for the remainder of the project costs. US-based East West Partnerswill also act as a co-developer on the project.

Spanning over 25 million square feet, Victory Heights covers half of DSC. Aside from the residential development, phase 1 also comprises the construction of a four-stadium complex. Tenders are expected to be issued by January 2005 for the piling and substructure work on the stadiums. Germany's Architekten von Gerkan, Marg & Partners (GMP)is the architect and designer for the estimated $400 million development. The local Dewan Architects & Engineershas been appointed to draw up designs for the stadiums.

Lebanon's Khatib & Alamiis expected to complete detailed infrastructure designs for the entire development by mid-February. Four tenders covering infrastructure within DSC are due to be issued by mid-March. DSC has also invited six companies to submit proposals by 25 November for the landscaping contract. The enabling package on the 50 million-square-foot DSC project was awarded to the local Al-Naboodah Contracting.

The project, which is to be built as part of the Dubailand development, is being promoted by a group of local investors - Abdul Rahim al-Zarooni, Abdul Rahman Falaknaz and Abdul Rahman Bukhatir (MEED 22:10:04).

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