Links in the chain

In the June issue of MEP Middle East we reported on Drake & Scull International PJSC (DSI) having successfully completed one of its largest-ever MEP works contracts at Golden Mile on Palm Jumeirah. DSI has been involved with the ten-building project for about three years, which covers a total built-up area of more than 360 000 square metres.

The project was launched in 2004 as a joint venture between IFA Hotels & Resorts and Nakheel. “We are very fortunate to have had a good team in place that has dedicated a lot of time and effort to ensure delivery of a quality project with excellent finishes,” commented IFA Hotels & Resorts development VP Patrick Smith.

This sense of pride and achievement in a job well done was clearly evident when we spoke to the DSI team on the project. Project director Darko Macura and operations manager Naser Yaseen emphasised that its completion had occurred at a psychologically significant moment in the construction market, “helping to instill confidence that major, quality-based developments are still being delivered successfully.”



Despite the global economic downturn, which has made its impact felt on the construction industry in the UAE as a whole, one tends to forget there are a lot of projects either under way or on the verge of completion. Golden Mile is a significant testament to the industry’s capability to still deliver within the current market constraints.

Golden Mile is also a shining example of another major trend, especially with the MEP sector – getting the MEP professionals onboard at an early enough stage to ensure smooth services integration and overall quality.

Burt, Hill design principal Ivar Krasinski says that “working with MEP engineers right from the start gives the client much better value, and we end up with a much more rigorous design process.” Colin Morris from Gifford is also a strong proponent of MEP’s contribution to a project in terms of overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

“I have seen some very good ideas come from the MEP contractor at an early stage which changed the scheme completely, and made it a lot more effective and efficient for the client and end user. If you have the entire supply chain involved early on, you can optimise building performance easily,” comments Morris.

So Golden Mile has indeed been a shining beacon in more ways than one. The media has been full of stories about cancelled projects and sharply falling company results. The successful completion of such a high-profile project by one of the major players in the MEP sector serves to uphold Dubai’s image as a leading long-term innovator and developer.