MAG 218 Photos

2006--Year in Review

2007-01-22T00:47:00.000+04:00

19 January: Although Arabian Forasol had been selected as piling works contratctor at the end of 2005, the site laid bare through January. By end of month Arabian Forasal signage and hoarding would be erected around the perimeter of the site. (See see additional photos and commentary from 20 Jan.)

23 February: A month later Arabian Forasol had got various pieces of equipment and storarge containers on site, with a minimal amount of excavation getting started. Meanwhile Dubai was hit with 2 days of the stormiest weather it would see in the year, resulting in localized flooding and requiring clean-up work at construction sites. (See see additional photos and commentary from 23 and 26 Feb.)

17 March: Additional equipment had been erected on site and excavation work was progressing. Notably trenches around the podium perimeter were visible where support walls for the excavation pit would be constructed. (See see additional photos and commentary from 17 and 25 Mar.)

13 April: Work appeared to be continuing on the trench where the excavation pit walls were to be constructed, with ongoing dewatering. Otherwise, the pace of work appeared slow.

3 & 9 June: Construction of the excavation pit walls seemed to pick up pace while heavy concrete blocks were placed on site for soil testing. (See see additional photos and commentary from 3 and 9 Jun.)

13 July: Excavation work was picking up but reportedly work was progressing behind schedule. The piling contractor was warned to pick up the pace and the project manager was replaced. (See see additional photos and commentary from 13 & 23 Jul.)

3, 13 & 18 August: The month of August saw accelerated activity onsite. The excavation pit was enlarged as workers continued piling. Shifts went on duty 7 days a week including at night.

3 August, continuing excavation (see additional photos).

13 August, increased activity and worker close-up shots (see additional photos.)

18 August, night work (see additional photos.)

2 & 23 September: Piling picked up while the photos revealed a substantial amount of supplies made ready on the plots beside the MAG 218 build site. Large drill bits were used to burrow into the earth. (See additional photos from 2 and 23 Sep.)

18, 24 & 26 October: By mid-October substantial progress was being made and piling and excavation appeared to be in the final stages. At months end the continued progress was clearly visible. (See additional photos and commentary from 18, 24 & 26 Oct.)

3, 17, 23, 24 & 30 November: Piling was complete by mid-month, with excavation to be completed on one half of the pit before paving. By end of month waterproofing and sealing had been started on the other half of the excavation pit floor. (See additional photos and commentary from 3, 17, 23 , 24 & 30 Nov.)

6, 8 & 22 December: Breaking of pile heads, a most time-consuming task, was often done at night and went on throughout the month of December. By year end what remained to be done was excavation and paving of still a small portion of the pit and closing of the gap in the perimeter wall. (See additional photos from 6, 8 & 22 Dec.)

Slow, But Well Done

By year end the job of piling and excavation had been largely completed. A total of 550 piles were embedded 38 to 48 meters deep, and the total depth of the excavation pit was around 12-15 meters. The work may be said to have been carried out largely between March 2006 and January 2007, thus taking over 10 months. The main contractor for piling, Arabian Forasol, were on site from January 2006 through the end of November.

In the final analysis the job may be said to have been slow, but well done. Two and a half months at the start of the year were lost, reportedly due to delays in getting approvals from the municipality in connection with construction of the Sheikh Zayed Road interchange in the vicinity of the build site. Additionally, time appears to have been squandered up to July when Arabian Forasol reportedly had not committed all of the equipment required to carry out the job. It was not until end of July that work picked up and substantial progress was made in the following months.

By comparison, work at other construction sites in the area appeared to progress at roughly the same speed if not more slowly than the MAG 218. These include the Torch, Princess, Infinity, 23 Marina and other towers. However, it has been interesting to see the Marina Pinnacle tower, beside the MAG 218 and of roughly the same dimensions, rise in the span of 7 months from where the MAG 218 is today to several floors above its podium.

Workers apply sealing to the excavation pit floor, 02 Jan 2007.

January 2007 appears to be off to a good start, with the main contractor having been in place for over a month and a half and work on the foundation already begun. The projected scenario is for the podium to begin to rise by February and be completed before mid-year. That would set the stage for the tower's remaining 55+ floors to rise at a pace of up to 3 floors per month. The MAG PDD project manager is anticipating completion of all building works by mid-2009.

On the sales front, sale of apartment units continued through the end of 2006, with all 330 of the one-bedroom units having been sold. Some portion of the 220 two-bedroom units remained available. The year saw two hikes on unit prices, one of 10% in April and another at 5% in December. Meanwhile the MAG 214 project, being built by MAG PDD in JLT, topped out with handover scheduled for sometime in 2007. Three additional properties were launched at Citiscape Dubai 2006, MAG 226 and MAG 228A & B.

See 2004-05 years in review: The MAG 218--A Brief History.

Go to latest MAG 218 photos. More images at MAG 218 Gallery.

Previously Unpublished (Dec 2006)

2007-01-21T20:06:00.000+04:00

06 December-2006 (Night Work)

08 December-2006 (Continued Excavation & Pit Floor Construction)

22 December-2006 (Clearing of Final Section & Sealing)

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Previously Unpublished (Aug-Sep 2006)

2007-01-21T10:42:00.000+04:00

03-August-2006 (Continuing Excavation)

13-August 2006 (Increased Activity)

13-August-2006 (The Workers)

18-August-2006 (Night Views)

View toward the Marina

02-September-2006 (Piling Picks Up)

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30 November 2006, Looking Good!

2006-12-02T01:26:00.000+04:00

The photos speak for themselves. Work is progressing well with the the excavation and piling works nearly complete. The pit will soon be ready for construction of the podium, just as many more MAG Contracting workers are moved into place.

A section of the pit remains to be completely excavated, having served as the ramp for vehicle movement.

The MAG Contracting workers wear differently colored uniforms in accordance with their function.

Some 300 MAG Contracting workers are expected initially to work on the project.

New signage is being prepared to announce the start of the main construction phase.

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A Month in Photos

2006-11-24T23:03:00.000+04:00

24 October, A.M.                      24 October, P.M.

26 October                            03 November

17 November                             23 November
24 October - 23 November saw the completion of piling work at the MAG 218, yet the leveling of piles, excavation, paving and sealing of the pit continues. (Select date links above or scroll down to view clickable images.)

Piling in Progress (14 images)
24 October 2006--9:30 a.m.

drilling and piling machines

Arabian Forasol worker

Al Nuami workers

scaffolding along excavation pit wall

rebar rising from piling columns

completed section of pit

excavation pit ramp

[top]
Bird's Eye View (8 images)
24 October 2006--4:30 p.m.

The MAG 218 pit at lower right side of image is in near proximity to the No. 5 Sheikh Zayed Road interchange, under-construction. The vast area in the center of the picture will include both ramps and additional buildings. Sheikh Zayed Road runs across the top of the image.

The Marina Ring Road runs along the right side of the MAG 218 plot as pictured. The towers lobby and parking entrance will face this side with parking exit at top of plot. Marina Heights tower rises at right.

The 70-storey Marina Pinnacle tower's podium structure rises in the foreground with the MAG 218 plot in the background. The planned shopping mall will start between the two towers and run to the other end of the block.

The entire plot is visible with the primary machinery used in piling. The maximum depth is about 15 meters.

Two drilling machines, a pile driver, mobile crane and tractor are visible.

Piles are excavated prior to leveling.

[top]
Men at Work (19 images)
26 October 2006--4:00 p.m.

Piles of rebar stored on the adjacent plot to be cast into piles.

MAG Contracting workers gradually take up their roles.

[top]
Piling Continued (7 images)
03 November 2006--2:00 p.m.

[top]
Piling Completed (8 images)
17 November 2006--6:45 a.m

Piling complete, soil is excavated from around embedded piles, the piles are leveled and a concrete floor is laid at the base of the pit.

The morning sun rises over the southeast wall.

[top]
Excavation and Sealing (11 images)
23 November 2006--6:00 p.m.

Sealing already applied to one section of the excavated pit.

Plastic sheeting is used on the newly prepared surfacing.

Welders remove exposed rebar from piling columns.

New Media City towers rise beyond the MAG 218 wall.

Nearby Dubai Marina No. 1 tower and Al Seef tower rise against the evening sky.

A worker performs his evening prayers on the newly laid floor of the excavation pit.
[top]
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Piling Progress

2006-10-21T20:43:00.000+04:00

The MAG 218 construction site is entering the final phase of excavation and piling.

As of 18 October '06 piling work was continuing.

Heavy machinery continues to be used.

Excavation has progressed to considerable depth.

Scaffolding has been erected against one interior wall.

Excavated soil is loaded into dump trucks for removal.

Piling columns are being dug out to greater depth.

They are then being levelled to the appropriate height.

M.A.G. Contracting workers are now onsite with Arabian Forasol workers.

In other areas piling work continues.

Arabian Forasol workers supervise the piling.

Heavy machinery is being used to carry out the job.

Some workers prepare heavy rods.

While others execute the removal of pile casings.

The casing is lifted out after loosening the soil with water.

Other tasks progress simultaneously.

The excavation pit is accessed through a rampway.

Work continues through the late afternoon.

While some workers finish their shifts in the evening, others work into the night.

In the Vicinity

Across the street from the MAG 218 in the gap beside the Marina Heights tower, a new tower will reportedly be built.

By way of comparison, the 80+ storey Torch tower on the other side of the gap has its piling work completed. It was started at roughly the same time as the MAG 218's.

The core of the 67 storey Marina Pinnacle tower, just beyond the MAG 218 plot, has already risen several floors. Post piling-excavation work started roughly four months ago.

The top of the 53 storey Marina Heights tower, facing the MAG 218, accents the blue Marina sky. Delayed by months, the tower is nearing completion.

Also nearby, the 50-storey Le Reve tower is nearing completion. Each of the lower floors will house two apartment units, with the upper floors housing a single unit each and a duplex penthouse occupying the top two floors.

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Piling Work Continues

2006-09-23T23:48:00.000+04:00

Signage at the MAG 218 construction site identifies MAG developer as Dream Estate Limited, as the company continues to brand itself and the project. Meanwhile, piling work by Arabian Forasol continues and the UAE based consultancy firm National Engineering Bureau (NEB) is brought onboard.

The photos which follow suggest that although excavation work appears to have been completed, a lot remains to be done before piling will be finished.

Piles of rebar lie on the site adjoining the MAG 218 plot, apparently being redied for casting into piles. A substantial amount of work lies ahead.

The excavation pit has been dug for sometime. What remains is for the vast amount of piles to be molded and embeded.

Existing municipality pipes cross a corner of the excavation pit. Presumably these will have to be relocated before the foundation is completed.

From a distance the MAG 218 site is visible with its new signage.

Below, construction of the No. 5 Sheikh Zayed Road interchange continues in the vicinity of the MAG 218 site.

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Still A Hole in the Ground

2006-07-28T13:49:00.000+04:00

Arabian-Forasol continues to make progress at the MAG 218 site, but apparently not on schedule. This according to MAG PDD general manager, Mohammed Nimer:

...but this is my problem--not for the investors--to worry about.

He adds that the project is behind schedule, but it is something he will fix. He is considering a work-a-round--perhaps putting the main contractor on the site sooner than would be normal. (Normally, during the completion phase of excavation and piling, the main contractor would join in for purposes of co-ordination.)

Why the setback? Arabian-Forasol is perhaps spreading its resources thin. This is clearly not a problem which is limited to the MAG 218 project. It is part of a phenomenon that has plagued, and will continue to plague, the constructioin industry in Dubai, the UAE and the whole of the Gulf for some time. That is, resources are being stretched and contractors are taking on more than they can handle. In two words, it's a construction crunch.

Mr. Nimer's assurances aside, investors will worry. The GM, however, makes a determined plea that he is on top of the situation. He has made personnel changes in the organization to implement his plan to set things right.

From this point on, the continuing pace of progress bears close watching. The plans to get the main contractor in place are still in the offing. In the meantime, more images of "the hole in the ground."

The building site on 13 July 2006

The Site on 23 July 2006

The Big Picture?

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It's All A Jumble

2006-06-09T16:59:00.000+04:00

The impression one gets. The MAG 218 site, 8 June 2006.

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Progress on Shoring and Excavation

2006-06-05T23:43:00.000+04:00

03-Jun-2006

The primary work appears to be shoring with steel beams being hoisted by crane and set into holes dug into the earth.

Other prepartions for shoring proceed around the site, while dewatering and some excavation work go on as well.

The men work through the day as temperatures soar to over 40 degrees Celcius.

In the evening machines continue to drill and pound into the sandy soil.

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Photos--25 March 2006

2006-03-28T23:57:00.000+04:00

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On An Off Day

2006-03-23T12:43:00.000+04:00

MAG Site, Friday, 17 March 2006

Friday in the UAE is a day off for most workers. With the exception of a watchman the MAG 218 site was empty when these photos were taken. (Click on photos to enlarge.)

The most noticible difference since photos were last taken on 26 February is the addition of more equipment and re-organization of the site. Site office and containers have been re-located and the build area has been demarcated.

MAG 218 site with equipment scattered around the perimeter of the build area--a corner of the build area highligted at center right.

Detail: equipment and storage.

Pumping equipment (with detail).

Site office and supply containers repositioned to front end of site.

Crane and storage silos.

Storage silos close-up.

Build area demarkated with trenches.

Trench dug in on two sides of the build area.

Q1: What exactly are the silos used for?
Q2: TEC, the company logo seen in some of the photos, is what company?
Reader comment welcome.

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Aerial Views of MAG 218 Plot

2006-03-09T16:19:00.000+04:00

These aerial shots (late 2005) were taken from a set of photos by "Volker" found at Skyscraperscrapercity.com. More of Volker's aerial shots of Dubai Marina can be seen in the Dubai Marina Photos post Photos by Others.

The MAG 218 plot can be seen in juxtaposition to the marina canal (work yet to begin at site when photo taken). The 66-storey MAG 218 will be constructed right at the corner of Marina Ring Rd. and the smaller "D" Rd. Beside it will come the planned shopping mall and beside that the 70+ storey Marina Pinnacle tower--located at the position of the word "MAG." In the foreground (beside the Marina Pinnacle plot) is the 50+ storey Le Rêve tower.

At the corner, opposite Le Rêve, will rise the 100+ storey Princess tower. Behind the Princess tower the 80+ storey Torch tower will be built. Beyond this is an empty plot followed by the 50+ storey Marina Heights tower (near completion).

Returning to the foreground (along Al Sufouh Rd.) the 50+ storey Emirates Airlines residential tower (aka Al Marsa) stands about half-complete. To its left will be built 50+ storey Emirates Crown (jsut coming up) and to Al Marsa's immediate right an unamed 80+ storey Damac tower and beside it the 80+ storey Infinity tower. (See recent plot map for complete listing of Dubai Marina towers and plot locations.)

In the photo below the MAG 218 plot can be seen in juxtoposition to the sea. The six Dubai Marina Phase 1 towers can be seen in the foreground, to the left of the MAG 218 plot. The Marina Ring Rd. runs in front of the towers, parallel to SZR (not pictured). In the bottom right corner of the photo excavation work has been started on a massive new interchange to be built with as many as 10 flyovers. It is a relatively short distance from the MAG 218 plot to the Dubai International Marine Club (DIFC) and the beach in front of the Le Meridien Mina Al Seyahi resort (low-rise structure at middle-right).

Beach access, however, is limited to club members or paying guests. Partial views of the Jumeirah Palm island may be possible for residents on higher floors of a completed MAG 218 tower. In addition to the MAG 218, five or more residential towers (at 60-90+ floors each) and a shopping mall will be built within the MAG 218 block. Incredibly, this block will house upto 11 high-rise towers from 50-90+ floors and a shopping mall. Its nearest local competitor for the "tallest block on the planet" monicker will come from the adjacent block (at left) to have seven or more towers of 50-100+ floors.

In the photo below the MAG 218 plot can be seen between Al Sufouh Rd. at left and Sheikh Zayed Road (SZR) at right. (Shorter "D" Road lies in between.) In the middle of the picture are Dubai Media City and lake. Beyond that in the first circular section will be built a cluster of towers called Dubai Pearl. Barely visible (low-rise buildings) just beyond this point is Dubai Knowledge Village, a collection of educational institutes. Residents at higher floors of a completed MAG tower will have partially obstructed views of these sites.

Further beyond is the rest of Dubai, including the Burj Al Arab hotel (not pictured) along the coast and the Mall of the Emirates (faintly visible) along SZR. On clear days these and other Dubai city landmarks should be within view (although quite possibly blocked by other towers). To the right of Sheikh Zayed Road can be seen the Emirates Golf Club and beside it, the Greens (low-rise) residential development.

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11 a.m., 26 February 2006 ~ Onsite & Around

2006-02-28T21:18:00.000+04:00

The Site

The Soil

The Equipment

The Men

The Equipment & The Men

The Hoarding

The Story

Two days after a wet rainy weekend work continues at the MAG 218 site. Temperatures are mild, in the high 20's Celsius (lower 80's Fahrenheit). One of the main tasks for the morning--resurrect the hoarding blown down by the strong winds that accompanied the storm.

The neighboring Marina Pinnacle site was flooded, the pit still water-logged two days later. Across Dubai Marina towers rise as construction continues unabated. The Al Fattan Towers recently pronounced completed. The JBR towers with still some months to go.

After the Rain at Marina Pinnacle

Water-logged

Tower Row

Al Fattan Towers

Tower Detail

Jumeirah Beach Residences

(Photos by Venkatesh)
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Arabian Forasol Showcases MAG 218 Work

2006-02-23T19:19:00.000+04:00

An array of prominent Arabian Forasol signs ring the MAG 218 construction site, which appear to highlight the key role this company will play in the construction process. Elevated on posts the signboards depict various contruction scenes and the company's logos. This suggests that like MAG PDD this construction arm of the Al Ghurair Group of Companies intends to make a name for itself through its work on the MAG 218 project.

Meanwhile, work picks up pace at the MAG 218 site with excavations starting (presently up to 2 meters depth) and office cubicles in place (pictured below). Beside the MAG 218 site it appears equipment is being put in place for work on the Emaar mall site (not pictured).

The excavation area covers an area of about 400 sq meters.

Workers onsite at the start of duty.

See all site photos. More images at MAG 218 Gallery. Return to MAG 218 Community homepage.

Site Getting Readied for Excavation

2006-01-20T23:07:00.000+04:00

Evening sets in at the conclusion of work on 19 Jan 2006. Rods have been placed into the soil as it appears preparations for excavation work are underway.

Arabian Forasol will soon erect signs around the site. It has been reported that major work will commence once equipment has been freed up at a JLT site being worked on by the company.

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Further Preparations

2005-12-28T21:13:00.000+04:00

Photo taken and posted today at Skyscrapercity.com by Beikopla.

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Preliminaries...

2005-12-21T20:22:00.000+04:00

The work being done at the MAG 218 site can only be described as such. In the six days since the last photos taken, the plot has been further cleared and levelled.

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No Activity Yet

2005-12-16T02:47:00.000+04:00

15-Dec-2005

Two workers at the site, crane operator and helper. No indication that any work has begun except for some clearing and leveling of the surface.

(Photo from skyscrapercity.com's DM Torch forum.)

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The Construction Site (Pre-construction)

2005-08-10T09:16:00.000+04:00

The MAG 218 construction site on 01 August 2005.
Construction expected to begin end of August or beginning of September.

MAG Property Development signboard on the Dubai Marina construction wall at plot A23B.

The Dubai Marina construction wall fronting the MAG 218 site.

Behind the wall lies an open sand pit--no work yet started.

The same sand pit viewed from the opposite end with the construction wall low in the background before the Marina Heights tower (under construction, at center).

A view of the Dubai Marina looking out from the front of the construction site (the Grosvenor Hotel right of center).

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