Fire-resistant cladding will be installed at a high-rise Downtown Dubai tower, months after a major blaze tore through the 35-storey building.
Those residents forced to evacuate the Boulevard Walk complex in November received emails from master developer Emaar informing them that work was scheduled to get under way soon to replace exterior cladding across the entire building facade.
In January, Dubai Civil Defence said it faced difficulties persuading building owners to replace hazardous aluminium composite cladding with the latest fire-proof materials because of the high costs involved.
As residents, this work will give us peace of mind – I can sleep again
Peri Hellyer,
resident of 8 Boulevard Walk
Residents welcome safety boost
Tenants said a notification from Emaar that all cladding would be replaced, and not just the area damaged by fire, was a huge relief.
Subramanian Krishnan, who works in banking, moved out of his apartment in Boulevard Walk three months before the fire, and now rents it out.
“It sends a good message that the cladding will be replaced across the entire building,” he said.
“We have been kept informed [by Emaar] with what work will be done.
“The new cladding is good news, and a relief.
“We had the email on January 31, and we were worried about the valuation of these properties falling, and also the rents. No one is in a panic now to sell up because of this.”
A 2017 Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice banned the use of aluminium composite panel cladding after a spate of fires in high-rise buildings.
Although new buildings must be fitted with more durable, advanced non-combustible cladding, it is not mandatory for buildings built before the new legislation was introduced.
The Boulevard Walk complex opened in 2008.
“Emaar is showing a good example and has taken the lead in refitting this cladding, hopefully other developers will follow,” Mr Krishnan said.
“Everyone has a duty to maintain safety, including residents.
“The message is loud and clear, people need to be more careful.”
Action plan in place
At Boulevard Walk, structural analysis has been completed and submitted to Dubai Municipality while the process of installing remedial work on the damaged side of the building is likely to take at least six months.
Work will then be done to replace cladding on the rest of the building, and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
External cladding will be prioritised on the outside of the building where the apartments worst hit by the fire in November were located.
Residents there have been temporarily rehoused until the work is complete while their personal belongings and appliances have been stored securely.
'I can sleep again'
Peri Hellyer, another resident rescued by maintenance workers during the fire, said the new cladding would help residents sleep at night, knowing the building is safe.
“As residents, this work will give us peace of mind ― I can sleep again,” said Ms Hellyer, who lives on the 14th floor and whose apartment suffered minor damage from water sprinklers during the fire.
“I was very concerned as these are our homes.
“It is a relief to know there is a timeframe for the work and that it will be repaired to the correct standards so we don’t have to go through a fire like this again.
“Fire spread very quickly and we were all scared. We should not have a fear of fires in 2023.”
Emaar declined to comment.
THE SPECS
2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE
Engine: 1.8 litre combined with 16-volt electric motors
Transmission: Automatic with manual shifting mode
Power: 121hp
Torque: 142Nm
Price: Dh95,900
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
The Case For Trump
By Victor Davis Hanson
'Unrivaled: Why America Will Remain the World’s Sole Superpower'
Michael Beckley, Cornell Press
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
My Country: A Syrian Memoir
Kassem Eid, Bloomsbury
Employment lawyer Meriel Schindler of Withers Worldwide shares her tips on achieving equal pay
Do your homework
Make sure that you are being offered a fair salary. There is lots of industry data available, and you can always talk to people who have come out of the organisation. Where I see people coming a cropper is where they haven’t done their homework.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate
It’s quite standard to negotiate if you think an offer is on the low side. The job is unlikely to be withdrawn if you ask for money, and if that did happen I’d question whether you want to work for an employer who is so hypersensitive.
Know your worth
Women tend to be a bit more reticent to talk about their achievements. In my experience they need to have more confidence in their own abilities – men will big up what they’ve done to get a pay rise, and to compete women need to turn up the volume.
Work together
If you suspect men in your organisation are being paid more, look your boss in the eye and say, “I want you to assure me that I’m paid equivalent to my peers”. If you’re not getting a straight answer, talk to your peer group and consider taking direct action to fix inequality.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
