The Pad, Dubai - delayed?

The Pad in Dubai... hopefully

The Pad, a 24-storey tower being built by Omniyat Properties in Dubai's Business Bay development, is unlikely to be completed on schedule according to the man who designed it.

The high profile project has been labelled one of the world's most high-tech residential schemes and would see 231 ‘intelligent apartments' boasting state-of-of-the-art technology covering everything from communications and entertainment to monitoring residents' body health.

Hi-tech living

Unsurprisingly, when The Pad was first unveiled in March 2007, more than 90 percent of apartments in the building were pre-sold. However back then, it was scheduled for completion in 2009.

Despite Omniyat Properties saying the project will be completed in the next 14 months, it is still far behind schedule and the building's architect fears it could take even longer.

Speaking to Arabian Business, James Law, chairman and founder of James Law Cybertecture International said, "The project hasn't stopped but it is continuing at a much slower pace,"

"It was due to be completed 2010 and there will probably be some delay on that now. The developer, just like any other developer, has had to face the pressures of the recession," he added.

"There's always a chance [work could be accelerated], but in my opinion I think there will be a longer timeline."

Delivery timeline re-aligned?

Omniyat Properties was unsurprisingly vague about a projected finish for The Pad. A company spokesman was quoted as saying to the Arabian Business,

"The exact delivery date will depend on the outcome of discussions with Injaz (the entity that manages infrastructure delivery for Business Bay) to determine when infrastructure and power will be available.

"Once a date is finalised, we will realign our delivery timeline in accordance to the master developer's plans," he added.

Until then, those that ordered 'body-monitoring apartments' at The Pad are going to have to go to the doctor like everyone else.

Like this article? Get the RSS feed: