HLG wins Uptown Dubai raft foundation contract

DMCC, the world’s leading Free Zone for trade and enterprise, master developer of Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) and the much anticipated Uptown Dubai, said it has signed up Dubai-based contractor HLG to build the concrete raft foundation for one of two super-tall towers coming up in the premium district. The first super tall tower at Uptown Dubai will boast a five-star hotel and branded luxury residences, restaurants, health spas and Grade A offices. Aimed at delivering the best in smart urban living and mobility with connectivity to public transport, Uptown Dubai, is conveniently located close to DMCC’s Jumeirah Lakes Towers, a community of over 92,500 people, as well as major commercial projects in Dubai’s Southern belt such as Expo 2020 and Al Maktoum International Airport, said a statement from the company. DMCC began the construction of Uptown Dubai, a premium mixed-use destination with 7 towers atop 7 levels of podium, last September.

The district’s main podium, 28 m above ground, features a two-level central plaza that will be larger than New York Times Square, circled by world class outlets, connected to a retail mall below, all with direct access to the iconic towers. Uptown Dubai will be anchored by two iconic super-tall towers designed by internationally renowned architects Adrian Smith & Gordon Gill from Chicago. Shortlisted amongst eight bidders, HLG will deliver the project by June this year which will require 12,000 cu m of concrete and 1,500 tonnes of reinforcement steel to complete the foundation raft. With shoring and piling works well under way for the 10 million-sq-ft development of grade A commercial and luxury residential space, Uptown Dubai’s first super tall tower, will comprise luxury hotel rooms and suites, high-end restaurants, health spas, extensive conference facilities, and 240 uniquely designed branded residences set for sale in early 2018. Paul Ashton, the executive director for property at DMCC, said: "Our Uptown Dubai development is well under way as planned with piling, shoring and now raft foundation construction by HLG commencing in March." "The HLG collaboration will literally provide the foundation for what will take Uptown Dubai’s first landmark super tall tower to new heights ready for occupancy by Expo2020,"