Business Bay’s SZR section to get facelift

The section of Business Bay facing the Sheikh Zayed Road (SZR), will get a facelift by the year-end.

Dubai Properties Group, the master developer of the multi-billion dollar central business district, has agreed with the government of Dubai to inject “hundreds of millions” of dirhams to clean up the area, complete the roads, and beautify the portion in the first phase, company CEO has revealed.

“Massive construction is going on the portion facing the Sheikh Zayed Road side. We have already agreed with the government to invest and develop that area first -  the stretch that begins from DIFC. The problem of entrance, service road, etc will be fixed. This part will be completely different by year end,” Khalid Al Malik, CEO, DPG, told Emirates 24|7.

“And then we go on the other side if BB… we are already in progress with regards to the sub stations and cleaning up of the area,” he added.

Al Malik admitted they were getting tougher with developers, not adhering to the rules and regulations of the master developer, who would face stiff penalties if they left their work sites uncleaned.

“A lot of projects have stopped… lot of contractor sites are completely in disorder and this is unacceptable. It is their responsibility as developer or contractors assigned by these developers to clean up their sites. Of course, then I am obliged to put tough rules to clean up their mess.”

This website had reported earlier that several Business Bay residents were unhappy over new roadworks that have blocked all access points in and out of the area, forcing them to use the Al Safa Salik tollgate.

While some said access point to enter the district from the toll free Al Khail Road is still open, the exit road is blocked off, forcing them to reroute their cars and head to Sheikh Zayed Road.

According to DPG website, Business Bay, centrally located between Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road, is a mixed use development consisting of office space, residences, hotels, retail outlets and community space and will covering a total area of 80 million square feet.

In a recent report, CB Richard Ellis, a global property consultancy, said that Business Bay was struggling to attract tenants and vacancy rates remain high.

“Despite a prominent location adjacent to the existing central business district (CBD), Business Bay faces a battle to reverse huge vacancy rates. Tenants have proved unwilling to contend with ongoing infrastructure issues and facility shortages,” it said.

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