Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council announces the approval of 26 developments covering a GFA of 2.3 million m2 in the second quarter of 2015
ABU DHABI 16 August 2015:
The total floor area of developments given the green light more than
tripled in the second quarter of the year, according to figures released
today by the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC).
The
UPC announced that 26 development projects spanning a total gross floor
area (GFA) of 2,327,073 m2were approved during Q2, compared with
708,999 m2in the previous quarter. The number of projects given the
go-ahead was up by just under 25% from the 21 approved in Q1.
On
Abu Dhabi Island, a mixed-use tower development in a prime location
facing the Abu Dhabi Corniche was approved. The development has been
designed with a distinct lower five-storey podium that has three
24-storey towers emerging over it. The irregular L-shaped profile of the
plot has enabled the three towers to be positioned diagonally so as to
achieve maximum views of the Abu Dhabi Corniche from the high-end
residential apartments, which will be housed in three towers from levels
2 to 24. Four basement levels and two podium levels will provide the
overall parking required for the building, and the site is flanked by
roads on two sides which provides valuable frontage for retail and
commercial establishments.
Also
on Abu Dhabi Island, two residential tower building projects were given
the go-ahead. The first tower will have a GFA of 10,406 m2over 24
storeys on a plot of 1,098 m2, while the second tower, similar in design
to the first, will have a GFA of 12,508 m2over 24 storeys on a plot
size of 1,354 m2. The project design is a tower block rising from the
surrounding environmental deck located on the fifth podium roof, which
will enable the apartment blocks to be elevated to have better
surrounding views. Façade glazing has been reduced carefully to provide
living and bedroom areas with plenty of natural light, and balconies
projecting from the building also act as solar shading. Parking will be
located in the basement and in the podiums.
Located
on the Abu Dhabi Corniche, close to the Corniche Hospital, the Saraya
residential tower, comprising 49 storeys and three basement floors for
underground parking, was also approved.
On
Abu Dhabi Mainland, the Burjeel Medical City project in Mohammed Bin
Zayed City, a 300-bed specialty hospital covering a GFA of almost
82,000m2, was approved. The development consists of a main hospital
podium, with four towers, a basement floor and a rooftop with a helipad
to provide helicopter access for urgent cases.
Also
on Abu Dhabi Mainland, the Abu Dhabi University will see an expansion
of the existing female student accommodation building. The ground floor
will offer service rooms, a reading room, a gym, a TV room (attached to
the multi-purpose hall), a central laundry and nine residential studio
units. Four typical floors will house 21 residential units in addition
to a common kitchen, a discussion room, service rooms and a storeroom.
Once complete, the expansion will provide 93 additional residential
units for female students to the university.
Also
in Al Ain, the Remah Emirati Housing Stage 2 residential project,
consisting of ten villas and including a mosque, was approved. The
development has a total GFA of 5,350m2and a maximum height of ten metres
(two storeys).
In
the Mirfa area of Al Gharbia, a mixed-use project comprising 186
residential units and commercial units was approved. The project
includes 192 car park spaces and a well-designed courtyard for
residents, and covers a total GFA of 15,252.86 m2.
In
parallel, the UPC announced the number of Estidama Pearl Ratings that
have been awarded in Q2 2015. The figures show that 1,017 villas have
been awarded 2 Pearls, 41 buildings have been awarded a 1 Pearl Rating,
and 22 buildings 2 Pearls, making the total number of Pearl Ratings for
Q2 1,080. In addition, nine Estidama training sessions have been held
with 567 trainees in attendance.
To
date, the UPC’s Urban Development has delivered 440 projects and master
plans with a total GFA of 73.6 million m2. Since the Estidama Pearl
Rating System was launched four years ago, the Estidama team has
reviewed many projects – a total of 11,878 villas and 1,004 buildings
have been awarded a Pearl Rating.
