Every single day we see new technological advances in every field. The speed at which human endeavour is innovating is pushing the application of science to new levels. Companies who do not advance and develop with it are being left behind. One such field that is seeing huge growth due
Bellway has been announced as development partner in a key regeneration scheme in Camberwell. The housebuilder was selected by housing association The Riverside Group to work on its existing estate in March 2018. Together they have been developing a scheme, in consultation with residents. The proposals will replace homes in
There are many reasons people hire a building contractor but generally speaking, it is to undertake all of the tasks and duties relating to whatever the project is. For people who need to hire a General Contractor it can be a minefield. How do you know exactly what you need them
When you’ve found the perfect piece of property for your home or real estate investment, the next step is to find the right construction company. It’s essential to select the right company in order to ensure your initial investment is protected and to give you the best possible future outcome
Indeglas, the Cumbernauld-based business recognised as a world class supplier of interior glass solutions, has completed its work at the iconic new building which is the University of Edinburgh’s The Bayes Centre, the final phase of the University’s state-of-the-art Potterrow development. This is the latest of a clutch of contracts
This is the startling finding of a survey carried out by the Construction Knowledge Task Group. 299 practitioners from every part of the industry took part in the survey. 38.5% said they did not have easy access to all the knowledge they need to do their job. This begs the
At the start of the 20th century, there were around a million freshwater ponds in Britain, supporting a bio-diverse mix of animals, plants and herbs. By the turn of this century, half had disappeared and, according to research by charity Pond Conservation, 80% of those remaining were in a poor
Leading independent construction, property and management consultancy, Rider Levett Bucknall UK (RLB UK) has brought in the new year with a new appointment with Guy Robinson being announced as National Head of Project Management. Guy is a Fellow of the RICS and has over 25 years of major project experience
FIS is the representative body for the £10 billion finishes and interiors sector in the UK and they have started 2019 by strengthening their team with the appointment of Nigel Higgins as Technical Engagement Manager. Nigel has extensive experience working across the sector for some of the most respected and
Master developer Nakheel has started constructing the rooftop infinity swimming pool at The Palm Tower, its 52-storey, luxury hotel and residential complex at the heart of Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. Perched 210 metres above ground and covering 775 square metres, the infinity pool – one of the highest in the
Every single day we see new technological advances in every field. The speed at which human endeavour is innovating is pushing the application of science to new levels. Companies who do not advance and develop with it are being left behind. One such field that is seeing huge growth due to its unlimited potential and application, is nanotechnology. The increased development of materials in nanometric and micrometric scale are the subject of a large number of studies and research. The use in manufacturing industries is only limited to the imagination of the development team working with the process, known as electrospinning, that creates these materials. The ability to produce produce fibers, polymers and nanometric devices as part of these studies brings the need for specialist equipment and the set up of labs or clean rooms to carry out the research and development. The challenge for the electrospinning equipment manufacturer is to be able to adapt the equipment according to the needs of the customer who will be using it, in size, scale, materials used. Even the current uses are just the tip of the iceberg as to what could be achieved in the future. Developing equipment for all sectors that develop nanomaterials The greatest demand currently for electrospinning equipment comes from two main sectors, industry for production reasons, and academic for research , whether as part of university studies or as part of in-house company research and development departments. The requirements for machinery can be very different, despite similarities in the core principles of electrospinning. A provider of the machinery may need to provide laboratory suited equipment one day, and the next provide equipment for large production plants. Having the right machinery will ensure the appropriate results. To give a practical example, one area using nanotechnology is the creation of artificial skin grafts, or protective barriers for organs. This material needs to have the right properties in order to meld with actual living tissue. As such three-dimensional structures that allow cell growth must be developed. To achieve this, the fiber must be of an adequate size, with the correct distribution of the pores. This allows for the migration of cells, the formation of blood vessels and the diffusion or exchange of materials between cells. In addition, these structures must provide the same functional characteristics as the replaced tissue, and be compatible with the organism to avoid rejection by the immune system. It is vital that, in order to achieve outstanding results, the chosen manufacturer of machinery is of the highest quality. It is very important. Particularly when trusting the machinery to produce highly technical fibers like this. Key factors in choosing the right electrospinning equipment While some factors will change, there are some basis to take into consideration. For example features should include: A simple design and the possibility of using different materials and formulations; that is compact and light in such a way that allows for maximizing of space; Constructed with with easily cleanable materials A simple interface for operators that allows for easy use and quick upskilling of researchers or employees A means to easily remove any potential gases produced during the process Of course cost is also a consideration, but it will be far lower in comparison to the set up of normal manufacturing processes and equipment. After this, is will be about making sure the machinery meets individual needs as according to the intended usage. Bear in mind that technology does not stand still. It is always evolving and the equipment needs to be future-proofed to a point where it can stand the test of time and still remain efficient and relevant. Potential applications for nanotechnology The range of sectors exploring nanotechnology is quite wide ranging. For example it is already seen in: Nutraceuticals: related to pharmacy and nutrition Immobilization of living cells: used in the application of in vitro processes and used to harness cells Functional foods: the so-called functional nano-foods, microcapsules, etc. Food packaging: it is intended to increase the shelf life of food, as well as preserve its properties. These are some of the most innovative fields. The following areas are also exploring the possibilities: Biomedical and tissue engineering Cosmetics Delivery of medicines Micro and nano encapsulation Catalysis Energy storage Functional textiles Phase change material Filtration and separation Affinity membranes Compounds and nanocomposites The differences between the requirements for each field can be quite wide ranging. As such the manufacturing companies of electrospinning machines must be able to adapt to those needs easily.
Bellway has been announced as development partner in a key regeneration scheme in Camberwell. The housebuilder was selected by housing association The Riverside Group to work on its existing estate in March 2018. Together they have been developing a scheme, in consultation with residents. The proposals will replace homes in Canterbury Close, Geoffrey Close and York Close in Camberwell with high-quality new homes built by Bellway. It is only the second largescale regeneration scheme to be voted through by tenants in London since new balloting rules were introduced by Mayor Sadiq Khan in February 2018. The rules mean tenants of housing associations or local authorities are balloted on regeneration schemes that involve demolition of their homes. In this case, 67 per cent voted in favour. The project marks a major landmark for Bellway’s newly-formed London Partnerships division, which will work with housing associations and local authorities to fulfil its aim of creating communities of affordable homes in the capital. Matthew Loughlin, Managing Director of Bellway London Partnerships, said: “We are delighted that Riverside’s residents have recognised the benefits of regeneration in their area and have voted in favour of the scheme. “This project will have a direct and positive impact on the lives of hundreds of people. The proposals are set to give residents of Geoffrey Close, York Close and Canterbury Close more spacious, energy-efficient homes. They can rest assured in the knowledge that Bellway is a five-star housebuilder and we are truly invested in the quality of the homes we build. “The project is an important milestone for the growth of the London Partnerships division which will deliver the wider objectives of the Bellway Group. “We are now looking forward to working alongside Riverside and the residents to develop the scheme from the planning stages through to the delivery of the new homes.” Bellway has worked with the Riverside Group during the consultation period leading up to the ballot and has been involved in pre-application talks with the local council. The next stage is for Riverside and Bellway to draw up a planning application which will be submitted in late spring 2019, with work on the site anticipated to start before the end of 2019. The proposals guarantee that all tenants currently living within the estate will be offered a new home which will meet their housing needs. Four hundred homes are planned for the site, as well as investment in new community facilities. Bellway London Partnerships was formed in the autumn and is working to bring forward further largescale regeneration projects with partners across the capital.
There are many reasons people hire a building contractor but generally speaking, it is to undertake all of the tasks and duties relating to whatever the project is. For people who need to hire a General Contractor it can be a minefield. How do you know exactly what you need them to do and are you sure they’re up for the job? In this article, we take a closer look at the duties and responsibilities of a general contractor to help you make the right hire for your building project. There are five principle responsibilities of a general contractor as follows: Project Planning When you first hire a contractor, you will obviously have a good idea in your mind of what you want. However, you’ll need the experience of the contractor to make sure all the elements of your project are pulled-off professionally and within budget. Project planning is an important duty for a contractor and generally follows the same lines as the outline provided in their initial estimates. The contractor has full responsibility for the supervision of everyone working on the project site and so they need to manage them effectively. Plans for each project are generally very detailed and include all the intricate elements of the project while factoring in contingencies and other unexpected expenses. The general contractor should also have a good knowledge of all the legal and regulatory issues relating to the project so they can include those processes in their plans. Furnishing Project Needs Before a project is launched, the contractor should have enough resources to complete the first phases of construction. Using all the information supplied in the project estimates, the contractor should ensure that all the necessary materials and labor are in place and paid for out of the budget. Even the most basic building projects require someone who knows how to break down the costs and ensure all the materials and manpower are in place to carry out the job. Any specialist tasks such as electrical or plumbing works need to be carried out by appropriately qualified workers who can be vetted by your general contractor. Project Monitoring and Management When work has started on your project, it will need to be supervised and managed by your general contractor to make sure everything goes smoothly. Every phase or step of the build will need to be managed in terms of deploying materials and manpower according to a schedule your contractor will draw up. Projects rarely run exactly to schedule and so your contractor needs to have contingency plans or at least the flexibility to deal with all types of scenarios. This is where their experience is really important as they should have the best idea of the kind of problems they could face. The best contractors will have fully assessed the project ahead of work commencing so that subject to no unprecedented changes or alterations to plans, everything should be completed on time and within budget. Legal and Regulatory Responsibilities The majority of building, remodeling or reform projects require some degree of statutory obligations. Your general contractor will be fully versed in the laws of your state regarding any necessary permits of planning applications your project may require. General contractors also have the responsibility for ensuring all legal and regulatory responsibilities are met. In addition, general contractors are liable for taxes according to mandatory state and federal law. You don’t want to be faced with hefty fines or penalties because of a lapse in regulatory compliance and this is a significant benefit to hiring a contractor. Health, Safety and Protection All construction projects should be vigilant with health and safety on site. When you are ultimately responsible for the work being done on your property, you want to be certain that everybody working on the site is safe. There are numerous hazards on building sites and oftentimes, they can be avoided if your contractor has factored health and safety into their project plans.
When you’ve found the perfect piece of property for your home or real estate investment, the next step is to find the right construction company. It’s essential to select the right company in order to ensure your initial investment is protected and to give you the best possible future outcome for the project. There are lots of different construction companies out there, but they definitely are not all equal. Look For a Construction Company With Relevant Experience First, you should choose a construction company that specializes in the kind of work you need to be done. Construction styles vary greatly between commercial and residential. They also vary greatly between materials used. If you’re looking for a construction company for a commercial steel beam building, you wouldn’t hire a company that’s only done wood residential projects. Similarly, if you have a pole building to construct, you’ll want to hire a construction company with that exact kind of construction experience. Read more here. You can easily narrow down your choices by reviewing the project portfolios of construction companies in your area. Once you find some that do similar work, move on to the following list of seven key features you need to look for when choosing the right construction company for your building project. 1. Longevity In Business In the construction world, companies come and go. The good ones survive and the other ones go out of business due to poor quality. When choosing a construction company for your building project, look for one that has been in business for as many years as you see fit. It bears repeating that the longer a construction company has been around, the more likely it is that they know what they’re doing and they do good work. Chapman’s Construction has a proven track record of excellence, ensuring top-quality results for all your building needs. 2. Financial Stability Another key feature to look for in a construction company is financial stability. Construction companies have quite a few expenses to take care of in order to complete a job. They have to payroll, tax payments, equipment lease payments, travel expenses, and all sorts of miscellaneous costs. This all comes out of the company account – or it should. Some nefarious construction companies that aren’t financially stable may rely on the latest client payment to fund older projects. Companies like these don’t manage their finances well and end up using your money to finish off another customer’s job. Meanwhile, when it comes time to start on your project they come up short until they can find yet another customer. 3. Sound Management The construction company should have a sound management system in place that includes a general contractor, site security personnel, assistant managers, crew supervisors at a bare minimum. Construction companies that try to operate with a skeleton management system often end up disappointing customers because there isn’t sufficient supervision on the job site. 4. Sustainable And Eco-Friendly Work Practices If eco-construction is important to you, then you should seek out a construction company that is LEED-certified or at least tries to use sustainable materials and eco-friendly construction practices. If you’re going for a building that you ultimately want to be LEED-certified, you will be forced to choose a construction team that is also LEED-accredited. If eco-friendly construction isn’t important to you, it’s safe to not worry about this feature. If you don’t, however, you should realize that there may end up being a lot of material and hazardous waste from the project. Disposal of these materials will most likely come out of your pocket. 5. Insured Your building permit from the town may be contingent upon you hiring a construction company with a certain minimum insurance coverage. Liability insurance is an important consideration when hiring anyone to work on your property. Typically, a two million dollar liability policy is standard. Be sure to ask for and retain a copy of the certificate, which should name you or your building project company as the covered party. 6. References Most construction companies will have a website and an online portfolio of completed projects for you to review. However, you should also ask for some references along with contact emails or phone numbers. Contact a handful of past clients to find out how the construction company was to work with. Specific questions to ask include, was the project completed on time, was the budget adhered to, and if there were any issues, did the company satisfactorily take care of them. If the company rep can’t supply at least three references for you to contact, this is a sign that you might want to continue looking elsewhere for a construction company. 7. Good Rapport Most importantly, you should be able to have a good rapport with any construction company you plan to hire for your project. Communication is the foundation of a successful construction project. Without it, there can be misunderstandings, intimidation, and mistakes that cannot be rectified. Be very certain that there is trust and respect between you and the construction company representative. It’s important that you feel that your opinions are being listened to and that you have input as to how you’d like the final project to come out. Finally, pay attention to how the subordinates at the company respond to the company rep. Do they appear confident in their job? Or do they seem intimidated or frightened of the boss? Frightened workers can be afraid to speak up if they see something wrong on the job site, which is not conducive to a safe work environment. Once you’ve found the perfect property, the best construction company for the job will be one that meets all or most of the above features. Don’t be afraid to take your time choosing which one. Before going ahead with any home renovation work, we always recommend getting multiple quotes so you can compare the service and price. You’ll be working with whomever you choose for the duration of the project, which could take many months. You’ll be glad you chose a
Indeglas, the Cumbernauld-based business recognised as a world class supplier of interior glass solutions, has completed its work at the iconic new building which is the University of Edinburgh’s The Bayes Centre, the final phase of the University’s state-of-the-art Potterrow development. This is the latest of a clutch of contracts worth over £840k which have been undertaken on behalf of the University by Indeglas. They include complete glazed screen installations at the Joseph Black Building, James Clerk Maxwell Buildings, Charles Stewart House, Dalhousie Land, Chrystal MacMillan Building, Centre Building Easterbush, Minto Building and New College. Jeanette MacIntyre, founder and Managing Director of Indeglas, said: “We are, of course, very pleased to have been selected to undertake this contract and see it as a clear indication that Indeglas is rapidly becoming the preferred supplier of a growing number of the country’s top performing design teams and construction companies. “The project at The Bayes Centre required an extremely high-performance installation, with full height, fire-rated glass screens to atrium spaces, and acoustic, frameless glass forming the frontages of a wide variety of learning and office spaces. “Our expertise in delivering interior glass solutions, means we can offer directly to the University the maintenance and servicing of the installation for the lifetime of the building, an aspect of our service provision which brings confidence and security for the client from the design stage all the way through the life of the building. “As a Scottish business, the opportunity to work on such prestigious projects for the University of Edinburgh is a huge honour. We offer the University, its Estates team, appointed architects and contractors, the benefits of our nearly 70 years of collective industry experience, as well as our commitment to full client engagement at every level of our business.” Indeglas is a specialist contractor and sole distributor in the UK and Ireland for the products of award-winning glazed screen system, DEKO of Denmark. Established 17 years ago, Indeglas designs project specific screen requirements, and is unique in providing Tier 1 contractors with a full-service design, engineer, supply and install leading-edge glass solutions that are fully backed up with a dedicated maintenance service throughout the UK. The detailed development of the design for The Bayes Centre was completed by architects, Bennetts Associates, a firm which has been recognised with over 150 awards, including 19 Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Awards. The main contractor is McLaughlin and Harvey.
This is the startling finding of a survey carried out by the Construction Knowledge Task Group. 299 practitioners from every part of the industry took part in the survey. 38.5% said they did not have easy access to all the knowledge they need to do their job. This begs the question, what are they doing without, and how critical is it? Practitioners also admitted they use less-trusted knowledge sources more frequently than more-trusted knowledge sources, with web searches and free online resources accounting for almost half of all the knowledge accessed. Other key findings include: Cost and sign-up forms are significant barriers to accessing knowledge, particularly for SMEs. Practitioners are unaware of much of the knowledge that is available, they are overwhelmed by how much knowledge there is and frustrated by how fragmented it is. There is a ‘them and us’ culture separating those in the knowledge loop from those stuck on the outside. There is a need for quick and straightforward access to knowledge on demand. The survey also revealed that designers access industry knowledge up to four times more frequently than decision makers such as clients and project managers, and that the most frequently-accessed knowledge is practical, specific guidance that supports day-to-day activities. Less specific, traditional ‘learning’ material is not as popular. The purpose of the survey, which ran at the end of 2018, was to help the Construction Knowledge Task Group steer its work, improving the way industry knowledge is prepared, accessed and applied. It was distributed to the membership and other networks of the organisations that form the Task Group. Ann Bentley, Global Board Director at Rider Levett Bucknall, and Member of the Construction Leadership Council said: “The results of this survey confirm what I suspected, and should be a wake-up call for the industry. Practitioners have embraced the internet and are seeking out easy-to-access, easy-to-apply knowledge. The industry needs to make sure they find what they are looking for. This means bringing knowledge into 21st century and taking a more collaborative and systematic approach to how it is prepared and shared. BIM has shown how this can be done for data and information, but knowledge is still stuck in the past.” Convenor of the Task Group, architect Dr Gregor Harvie said: “Construction is a knowledge-based industry. Knowledge helps spread best practice, promote innovation and prevent mistakes. But this important survey reveals that all too often practitioners are unaware of what is available, or they do not have easy access to it. As a result, knowledge has less impact on the ground than it should.” The survey suggests the future should be one in which knowledge is better integrated, less siloed, more easy-to-access and available through flexible subscriptions and intelligent search tools. The Task Group will meet in January to discuss how to drive this agenda forward. You can see the survey results in full at: https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/Construction_knowledge_survey_results
At the start of the 20th century, there were around a million freshwater ponds in Britain, supporting a bio-diverse mix of animals, plants and herbs. By the turn of this century, half had disappeared and, according to research by charity Pond Conservation, 80% of those remaining were in a poor condition and most were polluted. Increased building development in the countryside and intensification of the landscape have been blamed for the decline in ponds. Agricultural chemicals from neighbouring farmlands are the main cause, leading to ponds becoming overgrown and stagnant, and the subsequent failure of the ecosystem. Ponds need clean water to thrive, but once pollutants enter the water the delicate ecosystem breaks down, leading to loss of habitat for threatened species such as toads, newts and frogs. A total of 105 rare and declining pond species are a national priority for conservation action under the Government’s Biodiversity Action Plan. To counteract the loss of ponds in the UK, the charity Pond Conservation launched its Million Ponds project, aiming to replace half a million ponds within the next 50 years and so protect freshwater wildlife. How does the pond ecosystem work? A pond ecosystem works with the natural environment to provide food and protection to the wildlife and plants it supports. Fish nibble on the plants and algae, producing waste that is broken down and absorbed as nutrients by the plants. These plants filter the water naturally and help keep harmful algae to a minimum. The importance of ponds for biodiversity has only recently been understood. Research has found that invertebrate biodiversity and abundance is greater in ponds than in rivers. Frogs, toads and newts use small ponds to breed, while large ponds can support waterfowl, including mallard ducks, moorhens and coots. The grey heron also regularly visits even the smallest ponds, feeding on fish and amphibians. Wendi O’Toole of Scott Parnell Water Management Ltd, which specialises in pond lining, said: “Ponds are now becoming increasingly commonplace on new residential developments. Not only do they provide an aesthetically pleasing landscape, but have the added advantage of handling rainwater and preventing issues with potential flooding. However, it is really important to ensure ponds are properly lined.” Lining your pond Pond liners are the ideal solution for creating a richly biodiverse and sustainable pond. Water loss is a significant issue for ponds, due to normal ground absorption and adverse weather conditions, such as drought. Liners not only significantly reduce water loss, but also minimise the amount of silt that can enter the water. For manufactured ponds created for aesthetic reasons, such as those on golf courses, less silt production will maintain water clarity. Liners also prevent water contamination by acting as a barrier against pollutants in the ground. Using geomembrane Geomembrane liners are impermeable barriers that prevent water from passing through. They are ultra-strong and durable, as well as being completely customisable – so they can be used to line a small fish pond or large man-made fishing lake, for example. The liners are flexible and resistant to punctures, and will withstand debris, such as rocks and branches. They are also resistant to temperature variations from snow and ice to drought conditions. Most importantly, geomembrane is totally eco-friendly and environmentally safe, so it is harmless to wildlife and vegetation. Wendi added: “At Scott Parnell we have developed prefabricated geomembrane panels, which can be cut to size in-house and are then heat welded at the seam by highly-qualified technicians. The panels are then folded and delivered to site and installation is carried out by our welding technicians. Upon completion of the work, warranty certificates are supplied to the client.” Safeguarding future biodiversity Phase II of the Million Pounds Project is now underway in England and Wales and will continue until 2020 when it’s hoped that 30,000 new clean water ponds will have been created. Scott Parnell specialises in the supply of groundworks and civil engineering products and services to customers across the UK. Independently owned and run, the company has five offices across the south of England and Wales with a team of highly experienced staff offering expert advice to customers. Scott Parnell prides itself on its innovative and pioneering approach to delivering high quality products from a variety of manufacturers – not just market leaders.
Leading independent construction, property and management consultancy, Rider Levett Bucknall UK (RLB UK) has brought in the new year with a new appointment with Guy Robinson being announced as National Head of Project Management. Guy is a Fellow of the RICS and has over 25 years of major project experience both within the UK and internationally. His experience encompasses a variety of sectors including commercial, mixed use, residential, industrial, hotels, education, healthcare, aviation, sports and leisure. Illustrating the importance of project and programme management to the consultancy’s UK service portfolio, Robinson will lead a team of 150 project and programme management professionals nationwide that will account for over 35% of RLB UK turnover in 18/19. Guy Robinson comments, “I am delighted to be taking on this national role working with the rest of the UK team at RLB. 2018 delivered some great successes in the project and programme management side of the business working with both private and public sector clients such as AVIVA Investors, Lendlease, Taylor Wimpey, and the Department for Work & Pensions. 2019 looks to be just, if not more, exciting and I am looking forward to working with our professional bodies and industry to develop the future of project management.” Andrew Reynolds, RLB UK and Global Board Director continues, “Guy’s appointment is great news for RLB. He will draw upon his UK & international experience of working on large scale and complex projects and programmes. We see project management as a key area of growth for RLB in 2019 and beyond and consider Guy and his team to be critical to this success.”
FIS is the representative body for the £10 billion finishes and interiors sector in the UK and they have started 2019 by strengthening their team with the appointment of Nigel Higgins as Technical Engagement Manager. Nigel has extensive experience working across the sector for some of the most respected and recognisable companies over the course of his career. Iain McIlwee, FIS CEO said “we are delighted to welcome Nigel to the team, this is a new role that we have created to improve engagement, both from a supporting delivery and active listening perspective. It is vital to ensure that as many voices as possible are steering our work so that we deliver against our core values of supporting members, raising standards, improving safety, enhancing productivity and driving innovation in the finishing and interiors sector”. Nigel will be splitting his time between supporting the FIS Working Groups, expanding wider industry engagement work and most importantly helping to support the ambitious membership growth plans of the FIS. Nigel Higgins, Technical Engagement Manager said “I have spent all my working life in interiors, from a family involved in partitions, I have been proud to work for contractors, distributors and manufacturers who have fed my passion for innovation and high-quality commercial interiors. Working for the FIS will allow me to share my knowledge for the benefit of, and add value to the members, and join an organisation that is the voice of this dynamic and diverse industry”
Master developer Nakheel has started constructing the rooftop infinity swimming pool at The Palm Tower, its 52-storey, luxury hotel and residential complex at the heart of Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. Perched 210 metres above ground and covering 775 square metres, the infinity pool – one of the highest in the world – borders all four sides of the building, boasting unrivalled, panoramic views across Palm Jumeirah, the Arabian Gulf and the Dubai skyline. The pool – which will hold 930,000 litres of water – is on the 50th floor of The Palm Tower. Above the pool will be a podium housing a 51st level speciality restaurant and a 52nd storey public viewing deck, 240 metres high. Construction of the rooftop dining viewing deck complex will begin soon. Located at the heart of the world-famous, award winning Palm Jumeirah, The Palm Tower comprises a 289-room St. Regis hotel, 432 luxury residences and an array of dining and leisure facilities. The hotel occupies the first 18 floors, with fully-furnished studios and one, two and three bedroom apartments on the upper floors. Currently, around 850 construction workers are on site at The Palm Tower, rising to more than 1,500 when internal fit out gets in full swing in the next few weeks. Fit out of the St. Regis – due to open later this year – has already begun. The Palm Tower is directly connected to the under-construction Nakheel Mall – the access point for the public viewing deck – and its 350 shops, restaurants and attractions. Nakheel Mall, which has its own Palm Monorail station, is due for completion this year. Several other dining, leisure and entertainment venues are nearby, including the St. Regis Beach Club, part of Nakheel’s Palm West Beach complex, to which hotel guests and residents will have priority access; Al Ittihad Park, the UAE’s first indigenous park, spanning 1.1 million square feet across the heart of Palm Jumeirah; and the newly-opened Pointe at Palm Jumeirah, with 70 seafront restaurants and shops. For more information on The Palm Tower apartments, visit the Nakheel Sales Centre, call +971 4 390 3333 or log on to www.nakheel.com