Dubai Investments (DI), a major investment company listed on the Dubai Financial Market, has reinforced the production capabilities of its subsidiaries dealing in building materials amid accelerating trends in the real estate and construction sector across the UAE and the region. This comes in the wake of significant orders and project wins for 18 subsidiaries of DI, involved in the manufacturing of building materials and construction products. DI subsidiaries such as Glass LLC, Emirates Building Systems and Dubai Cranes have reported a number of new projects across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, among others. Notable projects won by DI subsidiaries include glass orders for Dubai Design, Habtoor Hotel, Masdar office building in Dubai, Credit Lebanese HQ in Beirut, steel structures for Riyadh Public Transport, three petrochemical projects for Saudi Aramco, end-to-end steel building solutions for FIFA 2022 stadiums in Qatar, petrochemical projects in Oman as well as residential and airport developments in the UAE; and standard, overhead crane kits for ongoing projects with EMAL, DUBAL and Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA). The construction activity across the UAE has witnessed a major upswing this year, with projects worth $46 billion awarded in 2014 alone, a significant rise from $38 billion last year. A vast majority of these contracts are in the residential sector, and the uptrend in the construction sector is set to boost the countrys GDP (gross domestic product) for 2014 by four percent to approximately $404 billion, up from $390 billion in 2013. Abdulaziz bin Yagub Al-Serkal, GM, DI, said: 2014 has been a momentous year for DIs business growth in the real estate and construction sector. The construction industry has always been a key source in driving growth for the UAEs economy and the current upswing, especially in residential projects, has led to unprecedented demand for quality building materials and innovations, which offers us a huge growth opportunity. He added: High demand as a result of the construction boom in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and across the rest of the Middle East is also placing added demand on the capacities of our companies dealing in building materials. We are confident that the solid demand in the construction sector will continue in the foreseeable future and we are geared to cater to the required capacity. In line with this, some of the DI subsidiaries have bolstered their production capacities. Emirates Building Systems have announced major expansion plans in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, given the escalating demand for steel structures for infrastructure projects, commercial and residential buildings as well as the oil and gas sector in the Kingdom and elsewhere in the region. DI subsidiary Emirates Extruded Polystyrene also announced plans to double its production capacity in the coming two years to approximately 2.4 million square meters per year, buoyed by the burgeoning demand for its unique extruded polystyrene sheets across the UAE and the other GCC markets. Dubai Cranes & Technical Services LLC, recently announced, opened the first-of-its-kind crane storage and assembly facility in the region to cater to the heightened demand for cranes across the GCC and MENA region and Saudi American Glass announced a 50 percent increase in its production capacity to 1.4 million square meters.

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DI bolsters construction material portfolio

DUBAI, Aug 25 (Bernama) -- Dubai Investments PJSC (DI), a leading investment company in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has reinforced the production capabilities of its subsidiaries dealing in building materials amidst accelerating trends in the real estate and construction sector across the UAE and the region, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.

This comes in the wake of winning significant orders and project for 18 of its subsidiaries involved in the manufacturing of building materials and construction products.

DI subsidiaries such as Glass LLC, Emirates Building Systems and Dubai Cranes have reported a number of new projects across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, among others.

Notable projects won by DI subsidiaries include glass orders for Dubai Design, Habtoor Hotel, Masdar office building in Dubai, Credit Lebanese HQ in Beirut, steel structures for Riyadh Public Transport, three petrochemical projects for Saudi Aramco, end-to-end steel building solutions for FIFA 2022 stadiums in Qatar, petrochemical projects in Oman as well as residential and airport developments in the UAE.

Construction activity across the UAE has witnessed a major upswing this year, with projects worth US$46 billion awarded in 2014 alone, a significant rise from US$38 billion last year.

A vast majority of these contracts are in the residential sector, and the uptrend in the construction sector is set to boost the country's Gross Domestic Product for 2014 by four per cent to approximately US$404 billion, up from $390 billion in 2013.

Abdulaziz bin Yagub Al Serkal, General Manager of Dubai Investments, said that 2014 has been a momentous year for DI's business growth in the real estate and construction sector, noting that the construction industry has always been a key source in driving growth for the UAE's economy.

"The current upswing, especially in residential projects, has led to unprecedented demand for quality building materials and innovations - which offers us a huge growth opportunity," he said.

"High demand as a result of the construction boom in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and across the Middle East is also placing added demand on the capacities of our companies dealing in building materials."

In line with this, some of the DI subsidiaries have bolstered their production capacities, he said.

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Dubai Investments Bolsters Construction Material Portfolio Amidst Boom Trend

BUILDING PERMITS

Building construction permits over $10,000 in value that were approved in Boulder between Aug. 11, 2014 to Aug. 17, 2014. Listed below are: the case number; address; total project valuation; owner name; contractor (if applicable); and description.

PMT2014-00488 2669 Fourth St.; $1,100,000; Moonbeam Boulder; Treeline Homes Inc.; Construction of new single-family dwelling with attached two-car garage. New home to have five beds, five baths on three levels. Includes 4,668 square feet of finished area, 158 square feet of unfinished basement, 484-square-foot attached unconditioned garage, and 339-square-foot front porch. See PMT2014-00489 for detached one-car garage.

PMT2014-00489 2669 Fourth St.; $25,000; Moonbeam Boulder; Treeline Homes Inc.; Construction of new detached one-car garage of 275 square feet. Includes associated electrical. See PMT2014-00488 for house.

PMT2014-02277 3686 19th St.; $150,000.00; Prescott Bailey; C-Corporation; Addition and remodel for single-family dwelling residence. Addition includes lower level addition to attached garage, second story addition with two new bedrooms, study and full bath, new rooftop deck on existing flat roof. Scope of work includes associated electrical, mechanical and plumbing.

PMT2014-02977 6655 Lookout Road; $74,900; Boulder Views; Brinkman Construction Inc.; Scope of work is for construction of an accessory structure (shed) for the purpose of housing a water filtration system (equipment). the shed is 208 square feet. See ADR2014-00100

PMT2014-03004 1710 29th St., No. 1076; $374,164; Building 1-C: Tenant interior remodel and minor exterior improvements for conversion of restaurant space to office and conference space for Juwi Solar. Exterior work scope is addition of two windows and replacement of exterior railings. Exterior work and change of use addressed in minor modification ADR2014-00119.

PMT2014-03079 611 Concord Ave.; $45,000; Joy Barrett and William Hogrewe; New 487-qsuare-foot garage and storage shed with 318-square-foot carport. All unconditioned space. See approved LAC HIS2014-00281

PMT2014-03190 4128 Clifton Court; $411,243.25; North Boulder; Coast To Coast Residential Development; New three story single-family dwelling with unfinished basement, attached rear load garage, covered front porch, and covered patio off great room. Main level to include kitchen, great room, dining, study, and three-quarter bath. Second level to include four bedrooms and three baths. Upper level includes loft and upper roof deck.

PMT2014-03266 2254 Edgewood Drive; $40,000; Mila Moskovit; Interior remodel (530 square feet) to existing single-family dwelling. Scope of work includes minor structural work and new framing and drywall thereby altering the configuration of the existing kitchen, and creating one new bath, and one new dining room. Includes associated MEPs.

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Boulder building permits: Aug. 25, 2014

Tyrone Bell. Photo: Facebook

A construction crew run by a prominent member of an outlaw motorcycle gang has worked on Melbourne University's new architecture building, a nursing home and a Toorak mansion, further fuelling concerns that bikies are infiltrating Victoria's building industry.

Tyrone Bell, sole director of SGI Building Services, is a patched member of the Port Melbourne-based Mongols, one of the nation's fastest growing bikie gangs.

Members of the club include accused attempted murderer Mark Graham, who is on bail awaiting trial over a double shooting in a crowded Queensland shopping mall that wounded a rival bikie and an innocent bystander.

The new Faculty of Architecture building at Melbourne University.

Other Mongols have recently been charged over a run-in with security guards at a St Kilda venue where a gun was produced, an alleged assault on a police officer, and the stabbing death of a rival Bandido associate in Queensland. Victoria Police also raided the gang's Port Melbourne clubhouse earlier this year, seizing two hand guns.

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But a representative of SGI Building Services said the company was not connected to the Mongols apart from the fact that Mr Bell was involved with the club. "We've got a completely legitimate business. There is no relationship with the Mongols."

SGI Building Services has attracted a steady stream of work from high-profile builders and contractors, including caulking work on the University of Melbourne's new landmark $127 million architecture faculty.

The University of Melbourne has claimed it is not responsible for who is employed on the site. "[Brookfield Multiplex] are fully responsible for selection and performance of their subcontractors," a spokesperson said.

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Melbourne Uni construction crew boss linked to outlaw bikie gang

Strange bedfellows: (From left) Islamic extremist Khaled Sharrouf, Bilal Fatrouni and Sydney businessman and crime figure George Alex, seen here with Mike Tyson. Photo: Supplied

Experienced staff at the Gold Coast hotel had long since learned to pretend not to see their clients' private little secrets. From sugar-daddies to unaccompanied escorts, guilty guests value discretion more than a welcoming smile at reception.

And so no one would have noticed two men, one wearing a tough-guy's scowl and the other the look of someone about to undergo root-canal work, walk purposely through the foyer to press number 26 on the hotel's lift.

In a room on that floor, a man, who always values discretion and privacy, was already waiting for a meeting that could not be held in public.

Best of times: George Alex (second from left, back row). Front row: Alex 'little Al' Taouil, Mick Gatto, Fat Ange and John Khoury. Photo: Supplied

He was Mick Gatto, known variously in Melbourne as a gangster, an industrial mediator and a charity fund-raiser.

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Gatto is a frequent visitor to the Gold Coast, often seen enjoying the sun and a cigar in a robe at the luxurious Versace Hotel.

But this was no holiday - it was business. And business was about to turn nasty.

In the lift heading up to where Gatto was waiting were George Alex, a building industry businessman and Kevin McHugh, a man, who according to court documents, was already terrified.

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The corrupting of the building industry

By Andy Owens aowens@scbiznews.com Published Aug. 11, 2014

Ed Fargo has two choices for his nine-mile drive to MWVs office building in Summerville: electric car or electric motorcycle.

When he drives his Nissan Leaf, the vehicle can be seen plugged into the charging station outside MWVs offices in the Nexton development. Fargo can make the trip to and from work six times, about 100 miles, for $3.

Kenneth T. Seeger, president of MWV Community Development and Land Management, oversees the 5,000-acre mixed-use development under construction at the intersection of Interstate 26 and U.S. Highway 17A in Summerville.

Seeger said the idea is catching on with others coming to the development. The Courtyard by Marriott hotel and SCRAs office building are also offering car charging for guests and employees.

We really encourage everybody else who is building buildings out here to have similar facilities, Seeger said, adding that bike racks and showers are part of MWVs office culture and could be incorporated into others. Each elements a little different.

Seeger said the effort has sparked a trend within Nexton, but the larger goal isnt to just focus on electric vehicles or recharging stations. The goal is to create comprehensive infrastructure so that mixed-use developments can create jobs and also help take cars off of the roadways.

The site for Nexton wasnt picked just because MWV had land in and near Summerville. The location positions the development to pull from Summerville and entice businesses and industry to locate in the companys nearby commerce parks.

MWV, which also is partnering with The Rockefeller Group on an industrial, build-ready commerce park near Jedburg, sees Nexton as an extension of an economic development package that will get motorists off of Interstate 26 between Summerville and Charleston and provide a better work-life balance for those who want to work near where they live without sitting in traffic.

Seeger said MWV took a regional view to appeal to businesses and industries that dont need to travel farther than U.S. Highway 78. With Summerville nearby, a company could locate administrative offices in Nexton, then locate distribution or manufacturing operations in Jedburg and Ridgeville. That could draw workers off of Interstate 26.

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Developer sees hubs of commerce in plugged-in office buildings

The transformation along Dallas Maple Avenue will soon include another building overhaul.

Owners of the Oak Lawn Plaza office building at Maple and Oak Lawn avenues are going to spend almost $4 million rebuilding the property.

The office high-rise is across the street from the landmark Old Parkland campus, where Crow Holdings has spent millions in redevelopment and construction. And the surrounding neighborhood is seeing a building boom with new apartments and townhouses.

We think the timing is perfect for our renovation, said Belinda Dabliz, vice president of leasing for building owner Gaedeke Group LLC. There are a lot of positive changes happening in that area, and its time for us to update our property.

Built in 1983, the eight-story, 130,000-square-foot building has been owned by Gaedeke Group since 1998.

Tenants in the building include The Dallas Observer, B2B Web Ventures LLC, HG Deposition and Litigation Services.

The building, which is more than 70 percent leased, is known for its giant bottle-brush metal sculpture out front. The owners decided to trade in the 1980s look for something more contemporary.

The lobby will be gutted, rebuilt and significantly expanded.

Now its all dark granite and gray, Dabliz said. Its going to be white and bright and crisp.

Gaedeke Group plans to begin work on the project in October and complete it in mid-2015.

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Maple Avenue office project getting makeover as neighborhood revamps

Major Corporate Moves from: Aetna, Akerman, Axxess Technology, Blue Stream Labs, ChannelAdvisor, Ciena, DLA Piper, Elephant Insurance, EMC, Mannan Pharmaceuticals, Maplehurst Bakeries and Wal-Mart eCommerce

The term of the lease commences on the completion date, which is targeted to be Oct. 15, 2015. The initial term of the lease is for seven years.

Beginning on the Commencement Date, minimum annual rental payments will be $23.50 per square foot.

Duke Realty Corp.s Indianapolis office has been selected as the general contractor.

Construction of Maplehurst Bakeries new facility will begin this month with delivery slated for late March 2015. The building will include a 50,000-square-foot freezer/cold dock area, office and warehouse/production space and 32' clear height.

Bryan Poynter with Cassidy Turley represented Maplehurst Bakeries. Duke Realty was represented by Rich Prestholt and Blaine Paul and Kate Ems.

The flex buildings are located within the Sunnyvale Business Park, a nine-building office park owned by Principal Real Estate Investors that totals approximately 600,000 square feet.

The recent deal follows Wal-Mart's 182,265-square-foot lease of two other buildings in the same park, 600 and 860 W. California Ave.

Luke Wilson of Colliers International in Redwood City represented Wal-Mart. Susan Gregory, Kevin Moul and Dave Sandlin of Colliers International in San Jose represented Principal Real Estate Investors.

Currently located on the 12th floor of 1 S. Wacker Dr., Aetna is one of the nation's leading providers of health, dental, group life, disability, and long-term care benefits. The company is set to relocate from 1 S. Wacker in March 2015.

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Lease Up (Aug. 18-22): Duke Realty Lands Two Big HQs Assignments

The following news release comes from the Office of Governor Pat Quinnby about his announcement regarding Cook County construction projects.

Governor Pat Quinn today announced capital investments of more than $31 million for construction projects in Cook County. The investments will create jobs and improve transportation safety and efficiency.Funded by hisIllinois Jobs Now!construction program, the projects are part of Governor Quinns agenda to create jobs and drive Illinois economy forward.

These investments in Cook County are putting people to work, creating jobs that will help drive the local economy, Governor Quinn said. They are also helping to repair and maintain Illinois infrastructure to improve safety and efficiency throughout the region.

Governor Quinn continues to fight for working men and women who have built Illinois infrastructure through their hard work, dedication, and calloused hands, Tom Villanova, President of Chicago & Cook County Building & Construction Trades Council, said. UnderIllinois Jobs Now!,thousands of Chicagoans have been put to work to improve Illinoiss infrastructure for coming generations.

Todays announcement follows last weeks news that Illinois unemployment rate declined in July to 6.8 percent from Junes 7.1 percent. During July, 11,200 new private sector jobs were added, including 3,900 manufacturing jobs.The states unemployment rate has fallen steadily since July 2013, when it stood at 9.2 percent, and has completed its steepest 12-month decline of 2.4 percentage points since August 1984. Since February 2010, Illinois has added 263,100 private sector jobs.

Construction payrolls are up by 8,500 jobs since the beginning of the year, nearly four times as strong as the gain posted for this same period in 2013. Specialty trade contractors payrolls posted healthy gains for the third straight month, fueled in large part by Governor QuinnsIllinois Jobs Now!capital construction program.

The projects below will be managed by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

The projects are part of Governor Quinns $31 billionIllinois Jobs Now!program, which will support more than 439,000 jobs over six years.Illinois Jobs Now!is the largest construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest construction programs in the nation.

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Governor Quinn announces $31 million for construction projects in Cook County

MANILA - Senator Antonio Trillanes IV wants an ocular visit of the P2.2 billion Makati City office and parking building and invite experts to assess if it is overpriced.

During the hearing at the Senate on Wednesday, real property industry expert and appraiser Federico Cuervo said there many things and processes that must be done to assess the actual cost of a building.

Tapped by lawyer Renato Bondal to support a plunder case against the Binays, Cuervo estimated the Makati building price at P23,000 per square meter.

Bondal said this was way lower than the P84,000 per square meter cost infused by the local government to the project.

Cuervo clarified, however, that it was only a hypothetical costing.

When I was asked to come up with an estimate, we only used the market value The client only gave us a footprint of a hypothetical building, he said.

Asked if the building could have an actual cost of P2.2 billion, he said: Im not aware of the actual cost since I was not there. If there are obsolescences, if it is overdesigned, it was not considered in the market value. I also did not include the depreciation because I did not see the building.

SOIL FACTOR

He said the cost will also depend on the soil where the building was constructed.

Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay earlier said the building was not overpriced since construction had to take into consideration the area where it was put up, which was near Pasig River.

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Appraiser's estimate of Makati building 'hypothetical'