Limitless, the global integrated real estate development arm of Dubai World, unveiled today details of its first development project in Dubai – Downtown Jebel Ali – a 200 hectare urban centre that will stretch for 11 kilometres beside Sheikh Zayed Road.
Chairman of Dubai World, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem said in a statement, “Limitless is following a new, strategic and sustainable approach to developing projects that will help create thriving diverse communities. This approach led to the creation of this distinctive development that is Downtown Jebel Ali. Downtown Jebel Ali will create a unique way of living on Sheikh Zayed Road, the very lifeline of our city.”
Speaking at the launch, Saeed Ahmed Saeed, Chief Executive Officer of Limitless said, “Limitless’ vision is a global one, but we are taking our first steps here in Dubai with Downtown Jebel Ali, a development designed on a human scale which will create communities where people will want to live not have to live.
“Downtown Jebel Ali will be more than a development, it will be a living, breathing community where public spaces between the buildings – the streets, parks and plazas – matter as much as the buildings themselves. With a lifestyle to reflect some of the world’s most vibrant cities, Downtown Jebel Ali will be the heartbeat of the new Dubai,” he added.
Downtown Jebel Ali consists of four quarters – East Quarter, East Central, West Central and West Quarter. With 326 buildings, 237 of which will be residential, its clever design includes ample space in-between buildings, with pedestrianised, congestion-free areas.
Each quarter is divided into three individual districts creating a blend of business, residential, shopping, dining and entertainment facilities. The bustling, energetic Urban Centre, with its distinctive modern towers and grand spaces, will be the commercial and social hub of each quarter; the Trellis District, with its unique network of trellises projecting from the buildings, will provide shaded, pedestrian-friendly environments; and the Medina District, with its mid to low-rise residential neighbourhoods, small courtyards and plazas, will create a more intimate, family-friendly environment.
A signature element of the masterplan for Downtown Jebel Ali is its rich, convenient and intelligent transport system. Four new freeway intersections will facilitate easy access by car, and centrally located in each quarters will be a Dubai Metro station that will carry people effortlessly between each one and other parts of Dubai. Additionally, there is a state of the art internal people mover system that will provide an environmentally-friendly, practical and comfortable way of moving throughout Downtown Jebel Ali.
Downtown Jebel Ali will house around 235,000 people, 70,000 of whom will be residents. Set in the heart of Dubai’s new commercial and employment centre, Downtown Jebel Ali will occupy an 11 kilometre stretch on Sheikh Zayed Road between the Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai Waterfront and Techno Park, and will be the gateway to Dubai’s new international airport and its surrounding developments.
Development of Downtown Jebel Ali is well underway and the first four commercial buildings will be completed by mid-2007, with completion of the infrastructure works scheduled for 2009.
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