End of an era: Karama’s Sheikh Rashid Colony ready for demolition

Nostalgia and regret as families who have lived here for generations are evicted

By
  • VM Sathish
Published

Photo by Mustafa Kasmi

Residents of the Sheikh Rashid Colony in Karama have vacated the 10 buildings that make up the complex after the deadline to leave ended on Sunday.

Al Wasl Properties, which owns the project, said it will demolish the old building blocks.

"The buildings in Karama will be demolished.

“All the residents have been served with eviction notices and have vacated the building on Sunday," said an Al Wasl Property representative.

The Sheikh Rashid Colony was built in 1978 by the then Ruler of Dubai, and offered decent, cheaper and affordable accommodation to expatriate residents.

The buildings housed 800 flats in 10 blocks.  Over 2,000 people resided in the colony, which became a landmark in Karama and Dubai.

While many residents are yet to find alternative accommodation, the deadline was postponed several times to give residents enough of notice.

“The rent here has been very reasonable and was originally fixed at D7,000.

“Many residents inherited ‘tenancy rights’ and handed over flats to close relatives.

“It has been the most affordable accommodation in Karama and Dubai.

“We have a nostalgic relationship with this location and the building, because for some families, at least three generations have lived here,” said an Indian expatriate, leaving his home away from home.

The 7,000 rent gave rise to a nickname for the colony – ‘7,000 buildings’.

The groceries and shops in the adjacent areas are also feeling the pinch as their regular customers from the Sheikh Colony will cease to visit them.

Earlier the building block belonged to the Dubai Development Board and later its management was assigned to Al Wasl Properties.

"The number of customers coming to my saloon will go down. Majority of my customers used to be residents of the Sheikh Colony. They belong to a multinational community, but Indians constituted the majority," said the owner of a barber’s shop located adjacent to the Sheikh Colony.

“I know one family which lived there for 33 years now.

“Most have shifted to Al Qusais and Sharjah,” said Navas, a resident of the colony.

“The colony was one of the oldest residential blocks in Dubai. The city’s old face is changing rapidly for new buildings. I am said,” said D’souza, another resident.

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Comments

  • Steven Lee 5 July 2012 14:14 0 0
    I remember the construction of these buildings by Nasser Lootah. He used an Elba crane which we manufactured in Lebanon. Built as low-cost housing they served their purpose. Well built properties.
  • Ameer 4 July 2012 16:15 1 0
    Come on people... no need to be so emotional, even if you lived there for 30 years. Well done and a great step taken by the government.
  • khurram 4 July 2012 10:55 4 1
    Dear Ajmal and Theda, I was born in Dubai and have been living here for 36 years now. The 7k/year bldgs are now old and infested. They should be removed.
  • Ismail 4 July 2012 00:57 4 4
    I am very happy to learn that Karama is finally being shaped to join the modern city of Dubai.
  • Theda 3 July 2012 16:30 6 3
    @Khurram, we all have choices and it's obvious you have not been around for more than a decade or more. So I dont expect you to empathise with these residents, however,there is absolutely no need to be crude about it,this was an era that many knew, loved, appreciated and will never forget. Perhaps you should acquire some humane emotions so you can learn to identify with the human plight!
  • Theda 3 July 2012 16:27 2 1
    As an expat in Dubai for over a decade the structures and immediate area holds great memories for me and I guess, for many others too. Not to mention the residents and I know many. My advice is that you should remain grateful for the splendid memories, take it with you but know that life moves on. We die with memories so nobody can take that away from us.
  • samsheri michael 3 July 2012 15:52 3 0
    beautiful memories shall always remain, those where the one that happened in sheikh rashid building. the age we grew up , the friends we made , the sports we played. Change has to happen its an old building, and we dont own it:-) nothing lasts for ever.
  • Mary Cardoz 3 July 2012 15:52 8 0
    I shifted to Karama in 1985. I really thank Late Sheikh Rashid Al Maktoum for considering us and making our life very peaceful and harmonious. At least he thought of us and made it possible for low income earners to benefit from this rent and save for our rainy days. I hope the new generation will keep this in mind and do something for the low income expatriates.
  • Haq 3 July 2012 14:43 1 0
    I have a question, just curious. Was the 7000dhs rent was there always or did it go high with time?
  • jeevan 3 July 2012 14:32 4 6
    Govt has taken right action, these are the old buildings shameful for the city and awkward to the community. And other areas like Ghusais & Al Shaab Colony buildings are more than 30 years old and are unsafe for people to stay as concrete falling from roof in many flats and one can see the rusted stuff in Al Shaab colony due to short circuit due to old wiring. These building are occupied by bachelors and it is to be vacated at early to the better vision of the city developments.
  • toji 3 July 2012 13:18 2 2
    Change is sad, but it is the only thing that is constant. I know the feeling, that people who grew up there have because I too, was one of them. For those that have to make a change, the first step is always hard but the rest will follow. It is sad that people feel the need to see a change because they want to feel equal to others rental pay. But hats off to the wise leadership of this beautiful place then and now, this truly is visionary.
  • Rejo Philip 3 July 2012 13:12 6 0
    Me and my family resided at the 7000 Bldg for nearly 3 decades.It truly is an end of an era,coming to think about our upbringing,memories,friends,neighbors and good moments we've celebrated through the years.The core of the 7000 Bldg stood intact for nearly 3 decades and for all the families and people who lived there will agree that the generosity of the ruler in provding such affordable accomodation has gone a long way!
  • kingkaiser 3 July 2012 13:06 9 0
    Sad to see this. I was born there; while today my family resides in villas in Jumeirah and apartments on Shk Zayed, I have nothing but thanks for Sheikh Rashid, who built these. He was truly a kind and compassionate man, who wanted to ensure that all his residents, regardless of nationality, had access to affordable and good housing. God bless him.
  • Babitha Vasanth 3 July 2012 12:42 10 1
    This is really SAD. First the Colony in Satwa and Now Karama where to next... Qusais for sure.Long Live Dubai but... olden days will never be back in UAE.
  • Ajmal 3 July 2012 12:37 6 2
    Khurum, Those people are the people who are here in the Dubai before it was built. 33to 25 Yrs in dubai - it was Sheik Rashid who brought these buildings when there was nothing in Karama like you see now
  • Jamal Al-Shamsi 3 July 2012 11:24 4 13
    new settled areas have plenty of buildings vacant. The main OLD down town area of Dubai need a facelift new construction must be according to new building & tenancy laws. Good step Dubai Govt Mabrook for new projects
  • Khurram 3 July 2012 10:53 15 65
    Why should some people be able to live in a 2BR in Karama at only 7k per year, whereas I pay 75k for a 2BR, only a stone's throw away....
  • Ameet 3 July 2012 09:07 32 15
    i have lived in these buildings ever since i was born, i have lived my life, dreams, my childhood & my friends. everything will be gone & broken down to dust & sand. i will miss those old days. :(
  • Smoosa 3 July 2012 08:23 32 0
    Yes we were one such family. came to this block in 1980 as tiny tots. Missing our old Building and our Neighbours who were more than our own family itself. We really wish from our hearts peace & blessings to HH Sheikh Rashid for making these accomodations for expatriate residents.
  • George 3 July 2012 07:19 14 7
    The Ghusais & Al Shaab Colony buildings are more than 30 years old and are unsafe for people to stay as buildings are old and there is concrete falling from roof in many flats and one can see the rusted stuff also there were reports of fire in Al Shaab colony due to shortcircuit due to old wiring. Even though now majority are bachelors now staying but they are at risk due to old building structures won't last if an earthquake happens.
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