Emaar hikes Burj Khalifa service charges

Emaar Properties, the developer’s of Burj Khalifa, has increased service charge for residential, office and Armani units for 2011, 'Emirates24|7' can reveal.

The Dubai-based developer has hiked the charges by between 4 and 7 per cent for this year, compared with 2010 charges.

Service charge for residential units in the world’s tallest tower has been increased by over 4 per cent for the year and now stands at Dh55 per sqft compared to Dh52.77 per sqft last year. 

Charges for Armani Residences remains the highest among all at Dh83.71 per sqft compared to Dh78.63 per sqft in 2010, while owners of corporate suites will now have to pay Dh76.02 per sqft as against Dh71.99 per sqft earlier.

The service charge for the tower remains split into three components – community service fee, chiller charge and hot and cold-water charge.

For residential units, the community service fee has been increased to Dh46.73 per sqft from Dh42.48 in 2010, chiller charge is down from Dh9.29 per square foot to Dh7.40, while hot and cold water charge has declined from Dhone per sqft to 87 fils, an Emaar Call Centre executive said.

A Burj Khalifa apartment owner, on conditions of anonymity, confirmed to this website that the charges have gone up and they have received their invoice.

“Although we believe that charges should not be hiked, the service in the tower is really superb. We have been told to pay the charges in four equal installments. And so it is ok for now.”

The owner-occupier pays close to Dh158,000 per year as service for his three-bedroom (2328 sqft) apartment. However, he added that the developer has not updated them on when the interim owners association will be formed. Market sources say Burj Khalifa will have at least three owners associations.

Corporate suites owners will have to pay a community service fee of Dh67.73 per sqft (Dh62.85), chiller charge of Dh7.40 per sqft (Dh8.14), and hot and cold water charge to Dh0.89 per sqft (Dh1).

Community service fees for Armani Residences stands at Dh46.29 per sqft (Dh39.35), chiller charge is down at Dh7.40 per sqft (Dh9.28) and water charge has increased slightly to Dh1.02 per sq ft (Dh one) per sqft. The additional Armani “hospitality” charge remains Dh29 per sqft, same as the last year.

The 2,717-feet high tower has 900 studio, one, two, three and four bedroom, while the Armani Residences has 144 fully furnished private apartments.

It offers luxurious recreational and leisure facilities including four swimming pools, an exclusive residents’ lounge; health and wellness facilities; At.mosphere, the world’s highest fine dining restaurant at level 122 and At the Top, the world’s highest observatory deck with an outdoor terrace on level 124.

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