Dubai, February 28th, 2008: Union Properties hosted post-graduate students of the School of Surveying from Kingston University, United Kingdom at the MotorCity site during their recent visit to Dubai. Elias Adas, Chief Construction Officer, gave a detailed presentation on the construction of MotorCity and the project elements to the students, which was followed by an extensive Q&A session and a guided site tour. The students are majoring in MSc in Real Estate, a course designed for people already employed in the profession who wish to qualify whilst working.

"We were all delightfully surprised at the wonderful reception laid on for us and appreciate the hospitality Union Properties showed us during our visit to Dubai," said Judy Smith, Principal Lecturer, School of Surveying, Kingston University. "Thank you so much for allowing our group of MSc Real Estate students to visit MotorCity. They were enthused with the whole project and appreciated Mr Adas giving up his time to explain the scheme so thoroughly and for answering so competently the rather challenging questions the students put to him, particularly on sustainable issues which were so fresh in their minds from a lecture they had received that morning."

Lucy Forrester who works for JonesLangLaSalle in London and studies part time at Kingston University in the School of Surveying stated: "MotorCity is an astonishing example of vision achieving reality.  To have created such a comprehensive master plan around an iconic symbol of man's technological achievements from bare desert demonstrates great acuity, audacity and conviction and a very strong sense of the exponential pace of Dubai's development."

"The students appreciated the very informative guided tour of the various different developments by Mr Zuhdi Al Rai the Senior Project Manager and were impressed by the range of uses from business and commercial to the residential Green Community MotorCity and UPTOWN MotorCity development. They were also pleased to see that recreational and community facilities including schools were planned for within the scheme, plus they really enjoyed the coach ride on the Dubai Autodrome track, as did the coach driver who suddenly became very animated," added Smith.

"One student said, 'the trip was a real eye-opener' and I think some wish to return to work in Dubai when they qualify. Upon our arrival to the UK, the students presented the staff with a photo of their group taken at the end of the reception at MotorCity to remember their Dubai Trip in 2008. We look forward to contacting Union Properties again next year when we plan to return to Dubai with another group of MSc Real Estate students. It will be fascinating to see the progress made with the various developments within MotorCity," concluded Smith.

-Ends- 

About MotorCity
MotorCity, is a development based on a unique automobile and motor sport theme that includes residential, business, sports and leisure opportunities. MotorCity is in fact 'a city within a city' with five project components over a land of approximately 38,000,000 sq.ft., located on Emirates Road.

MotorCity Project Components:

  • Business Park MotorCity - offers numerous investment and development opportunities for companies directly and indirectly related to the automotive and motor sport industries. This component of MotorCity will also feature the Automall complex that will include three major buildings connected to each other; a 3 storey showroom, Control Tower - a 38 storey office building and a hotel. The Business Park MotorCity is divided into 3 main districts: The Retail Commercial District, the Auto Commercial District and the Applied Technologies district.

  • Dubai Autodrome - Already operational, the facility features a 5.39 km FIA certified track with supporting services (pit garages, grandstand, race administration, medical centres, etc.). The Dubai

    Autodrome also includes a kartdrome and a race school. A host of businesses use the track year round for events such as product launches, corporate events and concerts, to name a few.

  • F1-X is a Formula One themed leisure destination with something for the whole family. It is part of the MotorCity development in Dubailand that includes five project components: F1-X, Dubai Autodrome, Business Park MotorCity, UPTOWN MotorCity, and Green Community MotorCity. F1-X will cost USD 460 million to build, over an area of 254000 square metres, and is expected to attract well over 1 million visitors in the first year, with plans plans to roll-out globally already underway. F1-X will open its door to the public in early 2009.

  • Green Community MotorCity - Aims to provide a way of life within a working and living secure community which encompasses landscaped gardens, water features, stone streets and walkways in a relatively traffic free environment. It is a family home development that includes luxury villas, family villas, townhouses, and bungalows. In addition, Green Community MotorCity will feature luxurious terraced apartments overlooking a lake. This brand development prides itself on its modern and beautiful surroundings with natural greenery being the key to peace and tranquillity. The development will be gated and will offer retail opportunities and recreation centres. Construction is due for completion and handover in 2009.

  • UPTOWN MotorCity - An apartment development that will provide recreational areas and other community amenities such as parks and schools. The residential units will include a mix of studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments with exclusive 4 bedrooms townhouses in the crescent area. Construction is due for completion and handover in 2009.

    Issued on behalf of Union Properties by tamra C2. For more information please call Randa Gharzeddine Email: randa@tamra-c2.com  on Tel: 04 2951177.

    • © Press Release 2008