Dubai Festival City has unveiled its AED 1.4 billion “Hillside Community” residential project – a stunning, 36 hectare village of Gulf Arabian-style homes on a man- made hill in the heart of this all-encompassing development.

Boasting over 900 one, two and three bedroom designer apartments and 400 three and four bedroom elegant townhomes, “Hillside Community” is planned to create a terraced Gulf Arabian-style ‘village’ on a 25 metre high, man-made hill that overlooks the Dubai Creek and the Al Badia Golf course.

“This is another regional first from Dubai Festival City as we create a signature terraced residential landmark,” said Phil McArthur, Director Leasing & Marketing, Dubai Festival City.

“Hillside Community is an important addition to Dubai Festival City’s imaginative residential portfolio. It will deliver a unique community atmosphere which will seamlessly blend stunning design with tranquillity to create one of the region’s most desirable living environments.” 

Designed by world-renowned French architect and town planner, Xavier Bohl, “Hillside Community” takes its influence from traditional Arabian architecture that is rooted in the region cultural heritage. The first phase, that will include 180 stylish apartments, is expected to be ready by October 2006. The remaining 1,100 properties will be rolled out in consequent phases over an intensive two to three year schedule. In total, over 7,000 people are expected to live at the development.

The “Hillside Community” apartments will be divided into 37 condo style buildings ranging from 7 to 10 storeys with unrivalled views of the sweeping banks of the Creek, Dubai Festival City’s 18-hole Al Badia championship golf course and its vibrant centrepiece, Festival Centre – a 2.6 million square foot hospitality, leisure, entertainment and retail destination which backdrops the 150-berth Festival Marina.

“Work on the first phase of apartments is expected to commence shortly and we are currently in negotiations with a number of reputed contractors,” said McArthur. “The “Hillside Community” apartments will offer residents a reprieve from the hustle of the surrounding city.”

The project’s exclusive townhouses and stand-alone penthouses, which will flank the “Hillside Community” terracing, will provide an intimate living environment for residents. Recreating distinctive Gulf Arabian villas, these structured homes will be back-dropped by stunning rock landscaping and greenery.

“Designed to embrace the architecture of the Gulf, these townhouses and penthouses will combine modern comforts with warm Arabian tradition, all infused with serene and dramatic surroundings,” said McArthur.

Logistically, the development of the hill, which is nearing completion, has been a massive undertaking and has seen over 2.5 million cubic metres of fill material, being relocated from excavation for the ongoing Dubai International Airport expansion.

“This has been an impressive achievement by any means as we have been importing a staggering amount of excavated fill material from the airport expansion development,” explained McArthur. “Trucks have been delivering the fill material for the last 24 months in order for us to complete this man made hillside.

To ensure that the project creates a sense of place and community spirit, “Hillside Community” will incorporate a plethora of neighbourhood facilities including a stylish art gallery, a 44,000 square foot community centre. The focus of the project will be the public square (Maidan) that sits at the highest part of the site (25m above the Creek). The Maidan will be a public destination place for the residents and visitors and will include shops, cafes, galleries, parks and will be a place where people will gather because of the views and sense of place.

Public parks are also seen as an important element in the design of the development and a public park has been incorporated with meandering walkways, communal swimming pools, sports and recreational grasses, cascading water features and secluded spaces.

“The sense of community was an essential factor when designing “Hillside Community” as we needed to ensure that it could become a place to live and play,” said McArthur. “Open spaces and areas where people can relax and stroll all add to the calm and closeness of the development.”

In keeping with the entire ethos of Dubai Festival City, accessibility was also a crucial design factor.

“It was important for us to create a well planned and efficient road network that is effective without intruding on the serene village atmosphere,” explained McArthur.

“Parking has also been a major consideration and we have ensured an extremely high car parking space ratio in the residences and communal areas to eliminate overcrowding.”

Leasing for “Hillside Community” first phase will begin within the coming October.