Shapoorji Pallonji starts work on first Middle East development

Shapoorji Pallonji (SP) International Property Developers has begun construction work at its Imperial Avenue project in Downtown Dubai – its first project in the Middle East as a developer.

The $350mn project spanning 95,600 square feet is scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2019, the Indian engineering and construction group said in a statement.

Jacob Joby, Director – Development at SP International Property Developers, said: “We have started with the early works such as piling and shoring for the project, which will be completed within the next two months.

“Following this, work on the superstructure will commence and will be constructed by our group company SP Middle East, a division of our company with 45 years of experience as contractors in this region. This is our flagship project in the region, and we are leaving no stone unturned to make this an iconic project,” he continued.

One of the key features in the project is a 4-floor high void, ‘The Window’ located between the 9th and 12th floor with landscape and infinity edge pool on the 9th floor.

The 25 residential floors above the void are floated with a 4m thick post-tensioned transfer slab of dimension 30m x 20m. This transfer slab is located between the 13th and 15th floor, and will be poured in 2 layers of 1.2m and 2.8m sequence.

The enabling work is in progress, and as planned, major work on the superstructure will commence in the second half of January 2017. The raft, substructure and structural works till the 1st floor are scheduled for completion by October 2017.

From November 2017 till October 2018, construction from the 2nd to 35th floors is planned. The remaining floors till the roof are expected to be completed by January 2019.

The façade works, which is a major component of the project, will commence from January 2018 with an aim to be completed by April 2019.

The MEP and the finishing works will be progressively completed during the period of November 2017 and July 2019. After the final testing and commissioning, the project is expected to be ready for handover by October 2019.

Furthermore, the advanced technologies with a focus on sustainability including renewables featured within the project design are expected to help reduce the service costs by approximately 15-18 percent, while the 1.4 million square feet total built up area of Imperial Avenue will emphasize on larger living spaces at minimal costs.

Moreover, this tower will also encompass 21,000 square feet of retail space, which will include eight shops to further enhance community living.