Work on Porto Dubai begins

Zabeel Properties, the Dubai-based luxury property developer says basic infrastructure and basement excavations for its Porto Dubai, a luxury-villa project off Umm Suqeim, has now begun.

A seven-week reclamation project to create an artificial peninsular off the coast, near the Umm Suqeim Marina, has been completed, involving the reclamation of almost one million cubic metres of sand and rock.

Meanwhile, piling work is being carried out on other parts of the 'tiered island' design. It's scheduled for completion in 2010.

The luxury villas will be arranged in a circular fashion on the peninsula's four platforms, which will rise at intervals of 4m to its highest point of 16m at the centre. This will ensure panoramic views of the Burj Al Arab and seascape.

To minimise wastage, Zabeel Properties will use excavated sand at a later stage to construct the four platforms. In the meantime, sand has been stored in a large sand bank on the side of the development, which faces the road.

Robert Norton, CEO of Zabeel Properties, says: "The reclamation has been a total success and caused minimum disruption to local residents and wildlife. As with all our projects, we are determined that Porto Dubai will exceed customer expectation and reinforce our position as a leader in environmentally sustainable developments."