Autonomy

Any one heard of this development? What is the location like?

It's near to Hydra Village if that helps?

I'm not too clued up on Abu Dhabi - is this a good location for a shopping center?

http://www.deerfieldstownsquare.com/eng/Default.aspx

Thanks!

shakh your bootie

Their website shows the location as being close to the Airport after Al-Raha beach - no doubt it is part of the plans to extend the off-island conurbation zone to a continuous stretch.

Weescott is probably your best bet to ask about whether this is a savvy strategic decision.

What is puzzzling me is why the newly-AD-owned Arabtec has been awarded a $100M+ contract to build a new development on SZR in Dubai by another AD owned company. What on earth are they thinking????

busybee2

if you drive up channel st up opp shahama thats where the big signs are. so on the way out to dubai, past raha beach/saadiyat bridge turnoff and then you come across al bahia and al shahama its there i believe. but nothing but the sign.

flares

I for one think the fields should be left undeveloped for the deers to live in their natural habitat...what?

busybee2

well the kids park is across the other side of the road...

Autonomy

ok - remember I have been in AD for all of 1 day since being here - what with all the developments - do you consider this as a commercially sound place for a mall?

Actual development progress to date is not an issue, just more interested in the location.

Thanks!

Millhouse

over what time horizon?
1 year - no
2 years - no
3 years - no
4 years - no
5+ years - maybe
20+ years - yes
90+ years - no oil. get out.

It's an area where they put the identikit local (council) housing estates. Probably money out that way all the time the oil flows. I doubt you will find many rich expats that way for a while though.

weescot

Och, I am flattered..... so here is my 2 fils worth...

I think this development is probably going up to replace the inevitable and eventual demolition of those 3-4 storey ramshakle "shoppies" and sub-standard accomodation/apartments at Shahmha. These are a real eyesore, if you look at the emerging landscape in Abu Dhabi and all the iconic buildings that are part of that. The Urban development Council will have a better idea though... it may well be on their revised plan 2030.

However, Shahama is an estabished community (not rich expats... ) so I think this community will just re-locate somewhere else, with the land left re-developed for other commercial purposes. It is in a good position between two highways and the economic diversification in Abu Dhabi is not going to slow down any time soon..... so maybe Deerfields across the road will be supporting this and the surrounding area. At present there is very little out that way that provides decent housing, shopping and entertaininment - although that will in some way be mitigated by Al Reef and the Yas Mall (biggest in AD .. MOE+ size) that is planned.

Autonomy

Brilliant - thank you!

You wouldn't know the developers of Yas Mall would you?

You're a star!

weescot

[QUOTE=Autonomy;8300424]Brilliant - thank you!

You wouldn't know the developers of Yas Mall would you?

QUOTE]
Err, I suppose I should know ... Aldar I think (should have paid more attention at the preso....) It is a while off I seem to recall. If you drive past it I am sure it will be on the building site singage somewhere... the yas mall road signs are already up...

benzonar

Deerfields, if I remember rightly it has something to do with Dr Fahim (not a real Dr btw). Was supposedly tied up with the strategy of Hydra and the fact that they owned a lot of the spare land around Shahama (a portion of which was sold to Manazel for Al Reef). Seeing as the Hydra developments don't appear to be going anywhere and the investors are up in arms I can't see Deerfields happening anytime soon.

Yas Mall is a Aldar development and is ticking along, the first part of it to be ready will be the largest Ikea store in the ME. Completion of the main Mall is slated to be some time in 2012.

busybee2

it depends on what they put in it.... up in the areas of al shahama, local housing areas around etc, there are no shops. perhaps they are thinking of raha beach, hyrda (when its finished) and al reef (when its finished) will be its expat clients etc.