Quality shines at The Onyx

The Onyx is a mixed-use development comprising three towers. T1 and T2 are office towers, with 15 and 24 storeys respectively, plus the ground floor.

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While the general impression of Dubai is that the downturn either stalled ongoing projects, or pushed others completely from the drawing boards, major developments can still be found. One of these is The Onyx mixed-use development along Sheikh Zayed Road, in close proximity to Emaar Business Park.

When this project was planned originally, the Dubai Metro was still under construction; it is in close proximity to the Internet City Metro Station, further enhancing its viability.

Al Shafar General Contracting LLC (ASGC) project manager Ibrahim Ishak Salib is justifiably proud of this construction project and the myriad challenges he has had to overcome in terms of logistics and economics.

The project is a showcase of ASGC’s construction approach in general, which is predicated on thorough preparedness and attention to detail, no matter how small.

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It is this approach that has so impressed the Saudi Arabian project owner that ASGC has been invited to look at working in the Kingdom as a result.

The Onyx is a mixed-use development comprising three towers. T1 and T2 are office towers, with 15 and 24 storeys respectively, plus the ground floor, while the third tower is a four-star hotel with two basement levels, a ground floor and 13 additional floors, with 200 rooms and 1,918 parking spaces.

The hotel component is offset at a 45° angle to the other two towers, and features a striking glass façade. All three towers are inter-connected by a common podium. The plot area is 22,000m², while the total built-up area is 223,896m².

The first question that springs to mind is: does Dubai need yet another mixed-use development that will no doubt add to the current oversupply of office and hotel space? Salib says: “We are trying to create a landmark. It will finish off this side of Sheikh Zayed Road.”

This is what has made the project such a challenging exercise, in that it is an area already so well-developed. “Finishing off” is perhaps a perfect summation for this particular project, as the Dubai government has stated that its main aim with the financial downturn is to complete all existing projects.

“The location is prestigious and prime,” notes Salib. Apart from Emaar Business Park, The Onyx is also close to The Greens, which will provide verdant views from the higher floors of the towers. Closer to The Greens side, this particular area is also low- to medium-rise, which adds to the strong sense of community.

“Here in this area, once any building is completed, even with the financial crisis, and the finishing is of a high quality, I can assure you that, within two months, all apartments will be rented. Tenants are now looking for a high level of quality, finishing, services, maintenance, location,” says Salib.

Despite this, there is no doubt a project like The Onyx has to take into account the impact of the downturn. Salib says negotiations are currently underway concerning “the possibility of changing the concept of the project, to keep some part residential – as you know, the market has a lot of office space at the moment. So they are trying to match the market requirement, to convert some area to residential apartments. This is under discussion between the client, project management and the owner himself.”

Masharea Project Manangement (MPM) project manager Eng. Ahmed El Shattory explains: “The commencement of Phase Two depends on the client. There are some changes, as it wants to match the project to market requirements.”