Nshama, a private developer of smart integrated communities, last month provided a special preview of its Zahra townhouses at Town Square in Dubai, UAE, which are being readied in time to welcome their first residents in 2017.

Launched a year ago, Town Square is centrally located in New Dubai along Al Qudra Road, and will comprise more than 3,000 townhouses and 18,000 apartments. Some 2,000 units would be released every year, says the developer.

Most of the first 2,000 units released last year have already been sold out, and the developer is preparing to release a further similar batch this year. A sales launch for 600 units is expected shortly.

Nshama is also in the final stage of negotiations with the operators of two schools that will be built close to the Emirates Road junction.

Commenting on the progress of the project, Fred Durie, CEO of Nshama, says: “We have commenced work on 1,050 townhouses and 1,100 apartments in addition to other infrastructure work. Structural works are ongoing for the Zahra and Hayat townhouses, while excavation and piling on the apartments will begin this month.

“We have maintained a clear timeline and adhered to it ever since we launched Nshama’s flagship project, Town Square, in 2015. As the first affordable lifestyle community in Dubai, it sets industry benchmarks for the standards that we uphold. With every lifestyle amenity in close proximity, Town Square will be a sought-after residential destination in the city, enabling the city’s residents to move from a rental model to owned homes.”

Nshama has awarded contracts worth Dh2 billion ($544.49 million) to date on the development. Among the first contracts awarded was to Al Naboodah Contracting for grading works for the entire 750-acre (31 million sq ft) development. The deep services work is being undertaken by Binladin Contracting Group.

Following the launch of the Zahra and Hayat townhouses, Nshama awarded the construction contract to Beaver Gulf Group.

The Zahra townhouses are set by an abundance of greenery including tree-lined streets, and offer secluded and secure areas for families. Parks and community facilities are in close proximity in addition to the convenience of being near the central town square.

Meanwhile, each townhouse in the Hayat community is designed with the convenience and comfort of the end-user in mind. The three- and four-bedroom homes are offered in four design styles, all of which allow for plenty of natural sunlight in every room and uninterrupted views to the community parks and green spaces.

As part of its focus on delivering a fully-integrated and amenity-rich neighbourhood that offers residents all modern comforts, Nshama has appointed Emaar District Cooling (EDC), a leading provider of full-spectrum services, as the sole provider of district cooling services for Town Square for 30 years.

EDC will construct, commission and operate the plant and equipment, with the district cooling plant to be built on land leased on a Musataha arrangement basis with Nshama. EDC will also manage the supply of the service to end-users including billing and maintenance.

Furthermore, Al Dharis SPF, a regional leader in the installation and supply of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), has been awarded the contract for the design, construction and supply of LPG to the residential units that are currently being constructed.

The project work will include the supply of cooking gas to over 18,000 apartments and more than 3,000 townhouses, and more than 100 buildings including a hotel complex. The total daily requirement is expected to be about 30,000 litres of LPG. The design includes the construction of two underground tanks of 50,000 litres capacity, over 35 km of underground piping, and 24/7 staff on duty for operations and maintenance.

Town Square is anchored by a central square that is the size of 16 football fields. A number of lifestyle choices await residents and visitors such as Vida Town Square Dubai hotel and a Reel Cinemas cineplex and an open-air cinema. Residents are also within easy access of a 2.5-million-sq-ft retail precinct featuring more than 600 stores and food and beverage (F&B) outlets, green trails, outdoors sports courts and cycling tracks, among other amenities.

Town Square boasts a high land-to-building ratio, with more open spaces for a greener community. It also offers day-care facilities, playgrounds, play zones for all ages, swimming pools, fitness centre, athletic spa, interactive water features, skate parks, playgrounds, adventure zones, modern medical facilities and splash parks.

Providing one-bedroom apartments at Dh614,888 ($167,400) and three-bedroom apartments at around Dh1 million ($272,250), Nshama also offers townhouses for as low as Dh999,988 ($272,240) apiece.