Main contractor for The Palm Golden Mile appointed

The appointment of the main contractor for The  Palm Golden Mile earmarks a key milestone for this  prestigious AED1 billion plus development, with the  planned completion on track for the first quarter  of 2008. 

IFA Hotels & Resorts and joint-venture partner  Istithmar PJSC, a major investment house, have  announced the appointment of Al Shafar General  Contracting Co [LLC] as the main contractor for  their Palm Golden Mile project. 

In his comments on the important project, Muneef  Tarmoom, Chief Executive Officer at Istithmar,  said: “We have made significant progress on The  Palm Golden Mile project and are excited about the  prospect of The Palm Golden Mile becoming a  premier destination in its own right.” 

On the technical side, there are ten buildings  within The Palm Golden Mile and the bulk  excavations, shoring and piling for buildings 7 to  10 are now complete. NSCC/Soletanche Bachy  was awarded the contract for specialist works  worth AED 60.5 million and has to date completed  3 km of reinforced concrete retaining walls  surrounding the site. They have also completed  900 bored piles through 20 metres of sand fill,  previously placed by the dredging contractor whilst  forming the Palm; the piles are anchored into the  rock layer on the seabed. The basement levels on  buildings 7 to 10 are currently being excavated and  the dewatering equipment is reducing the seawater  level inside the retaining wall by 9 metres. 

George Khoury, Senior Vice President Design &  Development, IFA Hotels & Resorts said: “In line  with our construction plans, the main contract has  been awarded to Al Shafar General Contracting Co  and the contractor has started work on site. Planned  completion for the project is still on track for the  first quarter of 2008.” 

Mohamed Saif Bin Shafar, Chairman of Al Shafar  General Contracting said: “We are delighted to be  appointed this prestigious contract and look forward  to the successful delivery of a quality project.”