Landscaping at The Galleries at Downtown Jebel Ali is taking on a new dimension, with construction of a 300-seat amphitheatre and 105 sq m screen now underway at the mixed-use community project in Dubai, said master developer Limitless.

The amphitheatre will be a venue for cultural, arts and social events, and the focal point of The Galleries’ 20,000 sqm outdoor landscaped plaza, which also features 200 trees, lawns, fountains, pools and shaded spots for relaxation.

The screen will be housed in a steel structure which, at 288 sqm, is about the size of a tennis court.

Construction of the amphitheatre comes as Limitless marks the third anniversary of the launch of Downtown Jebel Ali, its 200 hectare mixed-use, master planned development on Sheikh Zayed Road.

The Galleries – an eight building complex of offices, apartments, retail and leisure facilities – is the first community project within Downtown Jebel Ali.

Saeed Ahmed Saeed, CEO of Limitless, said: 'When Downtown Jebel Ali was launched we highlighted our belief that spaces in between buildings are as important as the structures themselves.'

'Communal, outdoor areas make up around half of the project’s master plan, and the innovative landscaping work at The Galleries is living proof of our commitment to creating a healthy balance of indoor and outdoor space in our developments. We are proud of the progress at The Galleries and of all the teams involved in its delivery,' he noted.

Downtown Jebel Ali consists of four zones, each with its own Metro station, and, when complete, will accommodate around 200,000 people. More than 250 plots of land have been sold to third party developers, while Limitless itself is developing other plots – including the area where The Galleries now stands.

A-grade office and retail space is available for lease in The Galleries’ first four commercial towers, while residential accommodation will be online in the first half of 2010. Landscaping is scheduled for completion in early 2010, when a mosque for 500 worshippers is also due to break ground.-TradeArabia News Service