Living
text by Mario Hadjiloizis
BUILDING DREAMS
For any large-scale development to succeed, the right foundations need to be in place from the very beginning. Literally. Step forward J&P Group who have been laying the foundations of success since 1941.
W
hen Stelios Joannou and George E. Paraskevaides formed their partnership in Cyprus in the early 40s, little did they know that it would eventually flourish into one of the largest and most reputable international contractors globally – the J&P Group. Growing steadily year after year, by 1960 the Group expanded their operations internationally when they were awarded their first overseas contract building houses for the British Air Force base in El Adem, Libya. After several successful years in North Africa, J&P stretched eastwards to the Arabian Gulf, thus paving the way for their role as a major player in the region. This proved to be a strategic move right at the beginning of a 20-year construction boom through the 70s and 80s. J&P’s excellent work and timely completion of projects established the company as one of the most reliable contractors in the area.To diversify their portfolio, J&P entered the oil and gas sector during the mid-80s, with Gas/Oil Separation Plants (GOSP) in the Libyan Sahara Desert and pipelines and product storage facilities spanning a distance of more than 2,000 kilometres. GOSP projects and other oil and gas facilities were also undertaken in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Today, the company ranks among the world’s top international construction companies with the scope of its operations covering airports, highways, bridges, tunnels, dams, irrigation projects, hospitals, housing and general infrastructure, tourist complexes, hotels, academic buildings and industrial complexes. Another important aspect of J&P’s business is its involvement in the real estate sector, having set the standards of correct town planning in Cyprus since its independence in 1960.
No place like home
As the birthplace of the company, Cyprus holds a special place on J&P’s agenda, with three major projects presently in progress on the island. First, there is the engineering, procurement and construction of an oil tank farm at Vasiliko for a net capacity of 630,000m3, together with a jetty extending 1.5 kilometres into the sea, relevant topside facilities with all associated pipework and civil works. J&P is also constructing the Federal Bank of the Middle East’s new central offices in Nicosia – a four-floor building with a two-storey basement on an area covering 5,000m2.
Then there is Limassol Marina, the exclusive waterfront development with its unique, ‘living on the sea’ lifestyle concept, just a stroll away from the heart of Limassol. Limassol Marina has been designed to blend seamlessly with the city’s historical harbour, old town and medieval castle. With its breathtaking views and outstanding range of facilities, it is destined to become the Mediterranean’s most exclusive marina resort – and one of the finest in the world. J&P’s wealth of knowledge and expertise is coupled with a state-of-the-art fleet of heavy equipment and specialised personnel forming the backbone of its firm position in the field. Every one of their projects earns the highest accolades possible and ensures that the company’s reputation for competence and precision will continue to impress all who visit any construction carried out by J&P.
Teaming up
J&P is not only the major shareholder of Limassol Marina; the Group is also the development’s major contractor. To ensure the timely delivery and high standards of the project, the consortium responsible for its construction is Marina Lemesou Joint Venture, namely Joannou & Paraskevaides Ltd, J&P – Avax S.A., Athena S.A. and Cybarco Limited.The J&P Group, and specifically J&P Ltd, undertook the management of the project’s construction as the leader of the joint venture. Headed up by Project Manager Joseph Hadjijoseph, it occupied the offices on site in early spring of 2010 and embarked on the realisation of Cyprus’s most ambitious infrastructure project. Referring to the participating companies, Hadjijoseph explained, “Athena S.A. had the expertise in marine works, which was essential for the execution of an integrated marina; the scale and design required the involvement of teams with relevant knowledge.” With a 40-year history and dynamic presence in the local and international markets for private and public projects, Athena S.A.’s experience is cultivated through the successful execution and hand-over of leisure marinas and marine facilities, roads, tunnels, dams, bridges, airports, railroads, private and institutional buildings, hotels, hospitals, urban development, recreational, industrial and environmental facilities. Affiliated with some of the largest and well respected domestic and