Dafna Towers - Corniche, Doha ------------ A TOTAL DISASTERRRRR
Here it goes: (Text taken from another site, pasted as it is and plz check pics!! ahh, in case u dont know what's the project please check this pic )
am only posting this here because I love skyscrapers and buildings in general (coming from San Francisco), and thought you all might like to hear about the way this place was constructed, the place in which I currently live. I think this is a relevant topic, since all of the buildings being constructed in the Middle East are being built by mostly inexperienced and unskilled workers from third-world countries and only being paid US$200-$400 a month. This is a good lesson to be learned by all you rich guys trying to save a little money.
My company moved us into this place in June, and we are now looking to break the contract/lease. This place is a total disaster, almost everything they constructed in this place is wrong, it is unbelievable. Everything from the curtains (which don't work) to the internet (down for over a week now)...
I uploaded quite a few pictures of the interior of this place for you all to see, as I know you won't believe this unless you see it. I don't know how to post them here, and there are too many anyway, so I put them on my website athttp://img382.imageshack.us/img382/3511/pb160122qq9.jpg):
www.graffiks.com/bavaria/index.htm
I could post a list here of all the things that are wrong with this place, but I don't have three hours. All I can say is my company is trying to get out of the lease.
Here are a few things:
I have water seeping through my wall because there is water trickling down behind it, sometimes I can even hear it. I have complained over SIX times in two months, all they do is send some Indian moron from "engineering" up to look at it, but all he does is stare at me until I make him leave, and nothing ever gets fixed. I have water pooled on my floor under the leak.
There is grout falling out from between the tiles in my shower and water is getting back there behind them, and the tiles turn grey as a result (from absorbing of water from the back). In a few months I predict the tiles will fall off.
We seem to have a blackout every day now, and we have had NO internet for over a week. They advertise it being in the rooms, but it never has been, we always had to go to the lobby. I am out at an internet cafe as I write this. Nice, for a "5-star hotel", right? Have you ever in your life seen a door that wouldn't open because it was hitting the ceiling on the other side, so they CUT A HOLE in the ceiling so the door would open!? Look for yourself:
http://www.graffiks.com/bavaria/pages/DSC_1106.htm
Who in the name of God designed this place? The 7 year old son of the owner? I am almost afraid to live in this place for fear it might just collapse! I just have to wonder, with all the other companies in the Middle East hiring workers like this, how many other buildings out there are like this.
Almost everything in this place was installed wrong or is broken...the worst construction I have EVER seen, period. Looks like it was built by 6 year olds. They hired these moron, unexperienced and unskilled "construction workers" from backwater countries like Nepal & Bangladesh and it shows. My dad did construction and I was often on sites, especially in the summer, so I have an eye for it, and in all my life, I have never seen a building so badly constructed. Even simple things like the elevators have problems; when I get in and press the button for my floor, nothing happens for a few seconds. Then, the doors will close halfway and reopen several times, then the alarm will start honking.
The post by Army001 sounds like a reply from the hotel management. I don't know who you are, but I myself have been in hotels all over the world, from LA to NYC to Manila, Berlin, London... and I have never seen a place like this. It is as if they just didn't care. Army001, I have stayed in many exclusive hotels, and they are NOTHING like this, you need to go get a reality check. I like your quote "They are all like this". Well, I must have missed them in my 30 years of traveling around.
If that isn't enough for you, here are some comments form others on Yahoo:
Also, here are some comments from Yahoo Travel:
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-reviews-19...Z_ty3P8AbiphQB
And here is a press release from the management company, which actually quit the place last in July! I have never heard of a management company dropping from a contract because a building is so screwed up.
Dubai, July 2007: Bavaria Hotels International Chief Executive Officer, Thomas H. F. Gertz, today announced the cessation of Bavaria Hotels International management responsibilities with respect to Bavaria City Suites Doha, Qatar.
Citing the contractor’s failure to deliver the Bavaria City Suites Doha project in accordance with the required Bavaria Hotels International specifications and agreed hand-over schedule, Mr Gertz advised that this difficult decision was taken to protect the integrity, brand values and standards associated with Bavaria Hotels International.
“I have every confidence in the hotel and tourism development in Qatar, and remain convinced that the high demand for professional hotel management, fueled by economic growth will provide future management opportunities for Bavaria Hotels International in the country.
With the recent announcement of the Bavaria Executive Suites project in Sharjah, the development of Bavaria Executive Suites Dubai and ongoing negotiations within the GCC and internationally, Bavaria Hotels International is an internationally established German company, and will continue to expand according to its core philosophies and principles.
The decision to withdraw from a project that fails to meet the exacting standards set by Bavaria Hotels International should reassure both guests and owners of our uncompromising commitment to quality, comfort and the satisfaction of both guests and employees.” Commented Mr Gertz.
at the low end of construction quality; and in a country like Qatar, where customer satisfaction, service after sales, and follow-up in general, are concepts which are absent from the vocabulary and the culture, expat residents have really nowhere to go with their complaints.
However, it is a different story when it comes to institutional construction. If you have a chance to visit the new faculties being built in Education City (under the guidance of Sheika Moza), it is a totally different story. You have the same Asian construction workers, but you have signature architects, international construction management companies, owner implication in the daily running of the business, and lots of money to be spent.
It is well known in quality circles worldwide, that 90% of failures in “quality” are due to Management failures rather than worker failures.
On an other topic, lots of rumors have been circulating to the fact that most of the new business district office towers as other residential compounds will sit empty, because often, it is a game of sheikhdom camaraderie and “strictly clean business”, where sheikh no 3 thanks sheikh no 2 for his services by renting his building/compound for say 2 years, without anyone occupying it. It’s looks good in the books and great for night-time photography, but that’s about it.
managers or job owners shudnt just hire a indian-nepalese just bec he is working so cheap cuz they really dont have ability for most of the works.. so this is their problem but related with lack of workers abilities..
so what make you think Pearl will be different?
dont blame the workers. The owner does not say what kind
of workers he wants. Its the company that does the construction
decide on the type of workers they need.
Here no one wants any reduction in their profit. In the end its
easy to blame the lower level workers for the incompetence of the consultants. DOUBLE STANDARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Suzan, you have my complete sympathy. Much of the country is like this, although not usually in such a new building. I'm glad I don't have to buy real estate here--so much of the workmanship is as you describe. I'm also amazed that there is so little pre-fab concrete done. It's all poured in situ which can't be good for quality either (and your pictures prove it).
For those people who buy in the Pearl, I'm expecting their investment to help build a vibrant aquatic ecoculture and coastal reef when those buildings all fall down into the gulf in another 20 years.
There's no one finger to point at here. A labourer gets off a plane and his sponsor says, "You are now an electrician" here's your shopping bag of electrical tape and light bulbs. Another is assigned as a plumber, and so on. I think western companies should bring their own consulting engineers to inspect housing before signing the lease for their employees.
Cosmetic problems are one thing, but will the building still be standing for as long as I'm living in it? That's the critical question.
Thats the big problem- what is going to happen next??
It will not be good, thats for sure.
tra la la
I am doing the same on our project in RasLaffan. My boss wants the work done by deadline so this is what I am doing and by the time they realize my company will be outta Qatar. The problem is that the Qataris working in the Government sector are not interested in inspections, I have yet to see a Qatari even visit the site. They want to stay in air-conditioned rooms and land cruisers. and the labourers and the workers are getting 200-300$ per month so why would they care? the workers are working 12 hours a day in direct sun so if they just want to get over with the work, it doesnt surprise me.
Wait and see what's next.
Did their best workin round the clock in shifts in this heat. its not their mistake not at all. the materials provided to them they worked on it. and they dont get 400$ or 500$ they get 600Qr or 800Qr maxi they will get is around 1600Qr. its simply is the mistake of Ower everything went under his eyes he approved the matrial building such a huge complex is not a joke. Even the owner is part of it while construction is going on. The owners go to the site daily to check the progress. Here The Whole Responsibility is On the Owner, Engineer, The Projectors.
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Jasskat,this buildings are owned by Thani bin Thani Housing Group.They own half of the buildings in Qatar.So no big deal for them.If one moves out,others will take it.
And they say, they want to be like Dubai.??When 2090
If this building is owned by someone powerful, which I assume it is, then he can force other Qatari companies to make a contract with him and rent the buildings.
In the long run, the owner is only hurting Qatar- what outside company is going to want to come here and invest or start up business when this is the quality of work that you get??
Unfortunately, Qatari's will have to learn the hard way that you cannot cut corners with this kind of thing. Eventually, regulations and building codes will have to be created and enforced, but probably only after there is some horrible disaster to set a precedent.
tra la la
After reading and seeing all that is posted,I was just wondering,How come your company took such a building on lease overlooking all that you have mentioned?Did your company send a blind man to check out the so called 5 star accommodation?or shall I presume that your company also has got some morons who take such decisions?Is he an Indian,Nepali or Srilankan or a Sanfransiscon colleague???.Before pointing fingers at other look at yourself.Your company has signed the contract with the owner of the building not the workers who build the building.The owner got what he paid for and your company got what they paid for.Don't put your mistakes on some poor workers.
A sloppy job by the construction contractor. It's not surprising that Bavaria refused the handover. I wonder what will happen to this apartment block, and who will operate it in the end (Now that BHI has pulled out).
Suzan - "moron Indian engineers" are the order of the day here in Qatar. And so are "moron US/European construction supervisors, safety officers, quality assurers, procurement officers, PM's etc". And, I'm sure these guys could'nt hold a decent job back in their home countries. Which is why they're here in the first place.
TRue
Also hope Suzan and others staying there find new accomodations soon.
Goodluck
Happiness keeps u Sweet, Trials keep u Strong, Sorrow keeps u Human, Failure Keeps u Humble, Success keeps u Glowing, But only God Keeps u Going.....
Keep Going.....
It's the owners fault, he makes all the final decisions about who is hired, how much is spent, what quality is done, and how rushed the project is.
These workers are doing the best they can, and why would they do a good job when they are getting paid next to nothing?
You get what you pay for, and in this case, the building reflects the money put into it.
tra la la
I dont think u can put the blame the unskilled workers, simply because they are not paid to think. They are paid only to do what is being told in the manner its been told. Moreover if they were able to think and take responsibility would they in the 1st place work for so less and so less facilities that they are offered nowadays.
So although it sounds too much the project managers should be the one to blame since they are the ones drawing the fat salaries so they have extra responsibility towards the well being of their project.
Happiness keeps u Sweet, Trials keep u Strong, Sorrow keeps u Human, Failure Keeps u Humble, Success keeps u Glowing, But only God Keeps u Going.....
Keep Going.....
unskilled workers are sharing the responsibility with project managers:) i m into this business and they really suck and u shud always have an engineer with them to even measure correctly the pipes etc. and probably (i havent yet) but guys who have responsibility will be damn bored and crazy and let them go. and yes even u r trying to make luxury places u will have those stupid problems. cuz engineers cant control everything. a normal guy shud understand that there is a problem in that door:)
Sympathise with you dude, but mind u the prob or fault is not because of any "Moron Indian" as said by you but most probably because of some Moron US/European Architect or Designer who designed this disaster. Dont blame the end worker.
Happiness keeps u Sweet, Trials keep u Strong, Sorrow keeps u Human, Failure Keeps u Humble, Success keeps u Glowing, But only God Keeps u Going.....
Keep Going.....
Well, what do you expect when they hire cheap unskilled laborers and at the same time use cheap materials that are not "up to code". Has anyone noticed how lately there has been a huge backlash on Chinese made goods, such as toys, cat food, and toothpaste? There is a reason why it is so cheap!
tra la la
my flat is really nice - but i would never buy it because as IMI said it looks like they went shopping to buy chinese rubbish at ramez to buy the fixtures. door handles drop off, paint on walls watered down, tiles fixed in upside down, plug sockets in useless places.
to save a little they lose a lot of money.... very short sighted
if they spent a bit more they could charge good money!
this is why i didnt by a zig zag flat.....
please tell me they aren't knocking down athletes village. a couple of friends stayed there during the asian games and they told me it was really nice
bejesus Raj is right it is the contractors that need imprisoning....the poor labourers are just following orders.
'NO-furnish' 2 BR + hall @ QR 4000 ?
This is something I am truly ashamed of in my country. I wish the greedy ba****ds responsible for this would pay to fix it...
Those are the most depressing & sad pictures i have seen on new construction. I would be scared enough to walk under that building fearing that sheet of marble falling on me. All i have to say is that it is really sad.. I have seen all the pictures and i cant believe the cheap poor quality of construction ever done.. yeekss...
I also heard that the HMC buildings ex-asian games athletes house and village is going to be all demolished due to major sewage problems and constructions defects.. is it true..
I think the chinese cement is doing great business here.. as ofcourse it will be super cheap. I hope they are not buying bathroom fixtures from Al Ramez Shop at Al Saad or Airport road..
God Bless Doha..
IMI - The Screen Behind The Mirror
"I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent."
"The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend."
I can't beleive that! Who in their right minds would accept that!
If I owned that building ESPECIALLY on the corniche I'd try to make it look amazing in order to get more tenants!
Unbelievable!
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I just visited three brand new apartment buildings today in Doha. They were all "terrible" in finishing, absolutely horrible. "Finishing" is something which seems to be totally absent from the construction vocabulary these days. Scary to think how these "luxury" buildings (like the Pearl, etc.), will look like when they are ready for occupancy.
If 7 year olds built this place, it would've ended up a heck lot better, im never going near Dafna again...
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climbing the walls-coz i miss you
O.m.g, those pictures are terrible, these things shouldn't even happen till after at least 5-7 years.
I hope this case is solved and the people responsible pay...
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climbing the walls-coz i miss you
the unskilled indian/nepali/pak/bangladeshi workers are not fully responsible as project management is a team work. I completely understand your frustation and am sorry for your situation.
do they have site inspectors?
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never trust a cold lips
it sounds like chinese construction in Burma..and their awful road building in Africa.
look this is worse than usual. and we have a list of things not working in our flats... but not as drastic as yours but same maintenance
for these reasons i have been put off buying property in qatar.
they say european standards but how can it be when the people aren't trained to the same level? the only standard it meets is the price!
good luck to you
Woooooooow are those all Ezdan pic i saw them 58 i think damn such a weird place. well hmmm cant explain here more. ITS JUST THAT ONE COMPANY AND ONE OWNER. not all are same.
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