DUBAI // The municipality has approved building permits for the fire-wrecked Tamweel Tower but owners face another stumbling block before repair work can start.
The building, in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, has been empty since it was partially destroyed by a fire started by a discarded cigarette in November 2012.
The owners’ association has been negotiating with insurers and the authorities to ensure that work proceeds as quickly as possible.
“Dubai Municipality has approved our proposals for the restoration of the building,” said a spokesman for the association’s board.
“This is very good news. Though it may seem that they took time, in reality they have been more helpful than we expected considering that they did not have a clue about the tower until October.
“The tender documents and the invitation letter to tender are completed and ready to go.”
But the spokesman said a complication had arisen and that they were hoping Tamweel, the developer of the building, would sign the tender documents. The tower is owned collectively by the owners’ association.
“The majority of the board members feel that the owners’ association alone signing may not be in the best interests of the residential owners.
“We are hoping that in the first few days of 2014 these differences will be sorted out under the aegis of the Real Estate Regulatory Agency.
“It is very important for this to be resolved so that progress can be made towards appointing a contractor.”
Tamweel could not be reached for comment.
mcroucher@thenational.ae
