The construction of this complex with a skyscraper in Astana began in 2010. The building will become the highest not only in Kazakhstan, but throughout Central Asia. Its opening is expected, according to the latest data, at the end of 2017-beginning of 2018. "Abu Dhabi Plaza" (Astana) is a multifunctional shopping and entertainment hotel complex, which consists of several buildings of different floors. It should be noted that there were many obstacles during the construction period.
A brief history of construction
Over the entire construction period, many problems arose, so the history of the construction of the complex is rather sad:
- in June 2009, an agreement was signed between Kazakhstan and the United Arab Emirates on the construction of Abu Dhabi Plaza in Astana;
- in August 2009, the President of Kazakhstan N. Nazarbayev laid a capsule in the construction of the complex;
- in November 2010, the beginning of excavation was begun, which lasted less than a month and ceased;
- in June 2011, excavation resumed;
- in November 2011, piles were flooded;
- in September 2014, construction work resumed (reaching zero level);
- in February 2016, a fire broke out, spreading to 19-25 floors.
According to the project, the construction was supposed to be completed in 2016, however, the deadlines were postponed to the beginning of “EXPO-2017” (international exhibition), but the complex was not ready by this time either.
Complex characteristics
After the construction of this largest building, the peak of the tallest building in Astana will be at the height of a 75-story building (approximately 382 meters). The total area of the complex will be 510 thousand square meters. m. The estimated cost of the project is $ 1.6 billion. Abu Dhabi Plaza is a multifunctional complex consisting of several high-rise buildings of different floors.
Description, surroundings
The complex in Astana “Abu Dhabi Plaza” consists of five high-rise individual towers located on a 2-story stylobate. All buildings have different purposes. In which there will be class A commercial offices, residential premises, serviced apartments and the Sheraton Hotel, as well as a shopping and entertainment center. The peak of the highest tower will be visible at a distance of 50-60 kilometers from the city.
Address "Abu Dhabi Plaza": Astana, Akmola region, Yesilsky district, st. Syganak 23. An elite multi-purpose residential complex located 28 km from the airport. Nearby Attractions: Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Armed Forces Club, Al Manhal (Palace), sports club, golf club, vegetable market. On the territory of the complex itself there is an underground guarded parking lot with a huge capacity (about 4000 cars), which will be equipped with excellent security system technologies. In addition, each complex is equipped with a control system and access control to the highest level.
About the fire
The fire in the high-rise building under construction at Abu Dhabi Plaza (Astana) occurred on February 13, 2016 in the early morning. To put out the skyscraper, it took a lot of effort. The fire cost the builder 5 floors, which had to be rebuilt. It was almost impossible to get to the place of fire. Along the entire perimeter, law enforcement officers were exposed who did not allow unauthorized persons (journalists and passers-by) to the object.
According to the press service of the CoES of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, there was a fire in diesel-powered installations. In total, in the winter and spring this year, 3 fires occurred on the entire construction site of the complex (in addition to the above, 2 more were at the basement level).
Briefly about problems and scandals
The first earthworks, begun in 2010, a month later were suspended due to problems in the construction market of Kazakhstan. This period is marked by the global financial crisis and the depreciation of the tenge. Astana and almost all cities of the republic experienced the difficulties of the economic crisis. At that time, hundreds of unfinished facilities began to freeze.
Only in 2011 resumed construction of the complex. But in the fall of 2012, the first scandal occurred: Turkish subcontractors and their workers began to organize strikes in connection with large months-long wage arrears. And in 2013, developers changed, Aldar Properties PJSC (the former holding) remained the investor and owner, and Arabtec Holding PJSC remained the general contractor. At the same time, a contract was signed for 1.1 billion dollars, which is 500 million lower than the original amount (1.6 billion).
The new general contractor was not able at first to establish full work at the facility. In early 2014, there was a mass strike of workers in Kazakhstan (Astana) involved in the construction of this facility. They were not happy with the salary: foreign workers were paid more. In connection with these events, many state bodies organized inspections of investors and developers, as a result of which no serious violations were detected at the facility.
