Initiative will support the efforts of DIFC and the Dubai Government to strengthen art’s role in society
Dubai: Daman Investments today announced that it has commissioned Emirati and Middle Eastern artists to create a significant number of artworks for its prestigious ‘The Buildings by Daman’ project at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
The commissioned artworks will be installed in public spaces within the AED1.6 billion development that is set to be a new iconic addition to the DIFC skyline.
H.E. Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman, Governor of DIFC and Managing Director of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority said: “DIFC strongly supports the role for art in our community. We believe art can stimulate new ideas and perspectives in business. Our larger vision for strengthening the role of art in society includes the development of Dubai into a regional and international centre for art and culture. Daman’s initiative in commissioning new works of art for ‘The Buildings’ project will support this vision. We encourage other companies to follow Daman’s lead in supporting art. Daman’s decision to commission artworks for ‘The Buildings’ project sets an encouraging trend that can build Dubai’s profile as a city that supports local and regional artistic talent.”
Speaking on behalf of Daman, Mr. Shehab Gargash, Group CEO said: “We have commissioned Middle Eastern and Emirati artists to develop original works of art for ‘The Buildings’ project as part of our strong commitment to supporting art and artists. We believe our project can serve as a showcase for the works of emerging Middle Eastern artists. These works of art will blend in with the overall architectural and interior design of our projects. We hope this initiative will contribute to DIFC’s and Dubai’s objective of supporting art and being a hub for both regional and global art.”
‘The Buildings by Daman’ will cover more than 1.6 million square feet of built-up area including freehold apartments, offices, a luxury hotel and retail space. US architectural firm Perkins and Will is the Design Architect for the project.
Photo caption: (from left to right) Mr. Munjid Al Alami, Senior Project Manager, Daman Investments, Mr. Shehab Garagash, CEO, Daman Investments, H.E. Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman, Governor of DIFC and Managing Director of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority and Mr. Abdulla Bin Sugat, CEO of DIFC Lifestyle Group LLC.
About the DIFC
The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is an onshore hub for global finance. It bridges the time gap between the financial centres of Hong Kong and London and services a region with the largest untapped emerging market for financial services. In just three years, over 600 firms have registered at the DIFC. They operate in an open environment complemented with world-class regulations and standards. The DIFC offers its member institutions incentives such as 100 per cent foreign ownership, zero tax on income and profits and no restrictions on foreign exchange. In addition their business benefits from modern infrastructure, operational support and business continuity facilities of uncompromisingly high standards.
About Daman Investments PSC (www.daman.ae)
Daman Investments PSC is a private joint stock company based in Dubai and capitalized at AED 200 million. From its early beginnings in 1998, the group has grown rapidly into a non-bank financial services company now widely recognized as an authority in its core markets, the Gulf Cooperation Council and Iraq. Known for offering innovative investment products and services to both regional and international clients, Daman provides investment management and development capital investment opportunities as well as domestic and regional brokerage operations through its subsidiaries. Daman is committed to the principles of ethical business practice and operational transparency. All Daman’s various operations are regulated by the United Arab Emirates Central Bank, the Emirates Securities and Commodities Authority (ESCA) and the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). Daman is well positioned for its clients as their gateway to the new Arab World economy.
About The Buildings by Daman at The Dubai International Financial Centre (www.thebuildingsbydaman.com)
The 235-meter high Buildings by Daman - located in the heart of the DIFC precinct- is a 65-floor mixed use residential and commercial complex. It includes freehold apartments, offices, a luxury hotel and retail space, encompassing 1.6 million square feet of GFA, and 3.3 million square feet of built up area surrounded by sculptured gardens and water features.
The project is being built on a 220,000-square foot plot of land which was acquired through a tender process during 2004. The official ground-breaking ceremony for the project was held on site December 18, 2005. Delivery of the project is expected in late 2009.
Commercial Office space: The project will have a dedicated commercial tower offering almost
50,000 square feet of prime office space per floor with virtually no columns. This unique floor layout yields approximately five times the average commercial floor space on Sheikh Zayed Road properties, and offers tenants a maximized floor space plan with no irregular corners.
Residential apartments: The 900,000 square feet 65-floor residential component has 1, 2, 3 bedroom simplex and duplex apartments which will have continuous sky-view terraces spread along the length of each apartment. The apartments feature hardwood parquet floors in the living, dining and bedroom areas, marble floors in the kitchen areas and quarried stone flooring in the bathrooms. Built in display areas with hardwood and stone surrounds, mosaic and tile back splash areas in the bathrooms and kitchen, hardwood work areas in the kitchen with granite countertops throughout and full white goods appliances (Washer/dryer, refrigerator, dishwasher, oven with hotplate cooking surfaces, microwave, under sink disposal unit) are delivered in all apartments.
The residential apartments have individual controlled temperature control units in every room for comfort and user convenience. All apartments have pre-delivered recessed lighting with individual lighting controls
Hotel and Furnished Apartments: The Buildings by Daman At the Dubai International Financial
Centre includes the Rosewood Hotel, a dedicated, purpose built spa and luxury serviced apartments.
Amenities: The complex has sky lobbies, two floors of dedicated retail space with convenience stores tailored to the needs of the tenants, up market restaurants, café and dining areas. The complex will have a mosque, day care center, gym and selective retail stores.
Convenient Access: The complex has 2300 dedicated parking spaces including automated parking for commercial tenants. One of the first and largest automated parking systems in the UAE, the speedy retrieval will allow tenants to call their parking space before arriving at the entry and park or recall their car with a remote command. Efficient, and secure, the automated parking system takes the car to an individual space from its driver and delivers it back with no valet parking intervention. The new Dubai Metro rail system links to the DIFC internal people mover system
(DIFC Public Rapid Transport) and stops in the base of the commercial building at Daman Station.
The Buildings by Daman complex offers automated parking entry with 10 high-speed elevators and intelligent, state-of-the-art interior designing techniques for ease of movement in the complex.
The Vision: The Buildings by Daman project will generate value from the unique vision of the DIFC as a world-class financial centre, which has already attracted top financial institutions from around the world. Many more are expected in the near future resulting in a steady increase in demand for office, residential retail and leisure real estate within the DIFC. The downtown location and plans for a self contained metro system in DIFC that will link to the new Dubai Metro will add convenience and value to the tenants and workforce in the DIFC. Planned to be operational by 2009 these are among the additional features that are expected to add value to the project.
The Architects: Perkins and Will, world renowned architectural firm are the Design Architects and have already completed the detailed design.
© 2008 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
