Projects in the Gulf
01 April 2009
Bahrain
Bahrain- Qatar Transrapid Train
Owner: Qatar Government-Bahrain Government
Budget: $3 billion
Scope: The project calls for design, supply, construction and operation of a trans-rapid magnetic levitation fast-track train between Bahrain and Qatar. There will be two rail tracks on the left side of the 40-km Friendship Causeway: one for a passenger train with a maximum speed of 160 kmph and the other for a 120 kmph freight train. The line will be part of Qatar’s national rail system, which is planned to be eventually part of an 800-km corridor linking Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE. The train will use non-contact electromagnetic levitation. Accordingly, it will hover, not roll and will have no wheels, axles or transmissions.
Update: Construction work on Qatar-Bahrain Causeway will start in summer with a five-year timeline. The delay is to incorporate provisions for passenger and freight rail tracks.
Bahrain- Qatar Causeway (Friendship Bridge)
Owner: Qatar Government-Bahrain Government
Budget: $3 billion
Scope: The project will involve the construction of a 40-km double-lane causeway between Qatar and Bahrain. It will include bridge structures extending 20 km and another 20 km of embankments. It will start at Askar Village in Bahrain and end at Ras Ashiraj, 5 km from Zubarah in Qatar. The project will also include a 17,000 sq m land area for buildings and 600,000 sq m for green areas.
Update: Construction work on the Qatar-Bahrain Causeway will start in summer 2009 with a five-year timeline. The delay is to incorporate provisions for passenger and freight rail tracks.
Reef Island (Lulu Island Resort) — Masterplan
Owner: Lulu Tourism Company
Budget: $800 million
Scope: The project calls for the design and construction of 39 residential buildings comprising 1,217 apartments with waterfront or lagoon views; an iconic residential tower building; 49 chalets; 65 Arabian-style villas; a 300-room five-star hotel; a marina and yacht club; an aquarium; a medical centre; a shopping mall; a multi-function exhibition centre and infrastructure works. The development will cover 579,000 sq m and will be built along the Manama coast.
Update: Construction of the marina bridge will complete by the year-end.
Manama Network of Highways — King Faisal Highway
Owner: Bahrain Ministry of Works and Housing
Budget: $500 million
Scope: The project calls for the upgrade and construction of the King Faisal Highway. It will cover the upgrading of some junctions on King Faisal Highway including those with Palace Avenue, Shaikh Isa Al Kabeer Road and Al Furdha Avenue. Tunnels will be constructed at these locations to ease traffic movement. The project will also include a 2.5 km low path that will extend from the west of Al Farda Street intersection to Al Sheikh Isa Bin Salman bridge in addition to three high bridges.
Update: Detail design work is ongoing for the King Faisal Highway.
Fontana Towers
Owner: The Developers Company
Budget: $364 million
Scope: The project calls for the design and construction of four interconnected waterfront residential towers in Juffair, each 35 storeys high, which will house 498 apartments and four luxury duplex penthouses. The project also includes an exclusive health club for women with a well-equipped and modern gymnasium, an indoor swimming pool and a children’s water park, an outdoor swimming pool and 600 covered car-parking spaces. The apartments will consist of a range of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units.
Update: Construction work is in progress and will be complete in December 2010.
Sitra Causeway and Umm Al Hassam Junction Redevelopment
Owner: Bahrain Ministry of Works and Housing
Budget: $266 million
Scope: The scope of work includes the replacement of the existing causeway bridges and construction of two new marine bridges. The North Bridge is 200 m long and South Bridge is 400 m long. In addition, there will be 2,400 m of associated embankment works across the shallow waters of Tubli Bay and construction of flyovers at both ends of the causeway and on Nabih Saleh Island. The embankment and bridges will carry a dual carriageway road with four lanes in each direction, together with extensive services. Flyovers will connect Umm Al Hassam and North Sitra located at the northern and southern ends of the causeway and also Nabih Saleh Island in the middle of the causeway. The scope of work also includes a three-level grade-separated intersection at Umm Al Hassam and at-grade signallised intersections at the entrance to Nabih Saleh Island and at North Sitra with an underpass and a flyover.
Update: Casting work for the top of Umm Al Hassam underpass is ongoing. Construction work will be complete by mid-2010.
Isa Town Interchange Upgrade
Owner: Bahrain Ministry of Works and Housing
Budget: $135 million
Scope: The project calls for upgrading Isa Town Gate Roundabout to a 1.8 km three-level interchange with a traffic light under the flyover and on top of the underpass. The scope of work will also include a flyover and an underpass on the Sheikh Salman highway at the intersection of Isa Town Gate.
Update: Work has started on the underpass. Construction work will be complete by mid-2010.
Kuwait
Subiya Causeway (Shaikh Jaber Al Ahmed Al Sabah Causeway)
Owner: Kuwait Ministry of Public Works (MPW)
Budget: $3.7 billion
Scope: The scope of work includes the design and construction of a 37 km causeway across the Bay of Kuwait connecting Shuwaikh Port/Ghazali Expressway with the Subiya new town development. It will include a 3-km elevated road through the Shuwaikh Port area, an interchange north of Shuwaikh Port, 27 km low-level bridge across the bay, a main bridge with a span of 150 to 200 m, a 25-hectare transition island developed towards Subiya for maintenance and emergency services, and a 5-km approach road onshore in Subiya. The causeway will have three lanes plus an emergency lane in both directions.
Update: The development was due to be presented to the Central Tenders Committee (CTC) last month.
Bubiyan Island Development — Phase One — Infrastructure
Owner: Mega Projects Agency (MPA)
Budget: $2.96 billion
Scope: The project calls for the design and construction of a 34-km road from the planned port’s location on the east side of Bubiyan to Khor Subiya in the west. The scheme also includes the construction of a 1.4-km long, three-lane road and land bridge from Subiya to Bubiyan, about 4 million cu m of landfill, soil improvement works and railway embankment.
Update: Project management companies have been invited to submit their bids by April 21, 2009 for the contract to provide project management services on the Bubiyan seaport development. The pre-qualifiers include Arup, Becom International, Diwi Consulting International, Fichtner, Grontmij, KBR and Turner Construction International.
Bubiyan Island Development — Phase Two — Dredging Package
Owner: Mega Projects Agency (MPA)
Budget: $2.5 billion
Scope: The scope of work includes dredging work for a 40-km-long, 260-m-wide approach channel, 20 m in depth, as part of the Bubiyan Island Development.
Update: Companies have been invited to submit their bids by April 21, 2009 for the contract to provide project management services on the Bubiyan seaport development. The pre-qualifiers include Arup, Becom International, Diwi Consulting International, Fichtner, Grontmij, KBR and Turner Construction International.
Bubiyan Island Development — Phase Three (Port Work) — Stage Four
Owner: Mega Projects Agency (MPA)
Budget: $1.5 billion
Scope: The project calls for expansion of the container terminal with an additional 36 berths at Bubiyan Island Development.
Update: Ministry of Public Works (MPW) will establish a new authority to take charge of the Bubiyan Island Development.
Bubiyan Island Development — Phase Three (Port Work) — Stage One
Owner: Mega Projects Agency (MPA)
Budget: $500 million
Scope: The project calls for the design and construction of a container terminal, nine berths and a 1,300-m-long quay wall as part of the Bubiyan Island Development. It also includes port buildings and utilities, digging and soil improvement works and site levelling. It will have a capacity to handle 2.5 million TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units).
Update: Companies have been invited to submit their bids by April 21, 2009 for the contract to provide project management services on the Bubiyan seaport development. The pre-qualifiers include Arup, Becom International, Diwi Consulting International, Fichtner, Grontmij, KBR and Turner Construction International.
Bubiyan Island Development — Phase Three (Port Work) — Stage Three
Owner: Mega Projects Agency (MPA)
Budget: $400 million
Scope: The project calls for expansion of the container terminal with eight new berths as part of the Bubiyan Island Development.
Update: Ministry of Public Works (MPW) will establish a new authority to take charge of developing Bubiyan Island Development.
Bubiyan Island Development — Phase Three (Port Work) — Stage Two
Owner: Mega Projects Agency (MPA)
Budget: $300 million
Scope: The project calls for expansion of the container terminal with seven berths as part of the Bubiyan Island Development.
Update: Ministry of Public Works (MPW) will establish a new authority in charge of the Bubiyan Island Development.
Subiya Expressway — Phase Three
Owner: Kuwait Ministry of Public Works (MPW)
Budget: $160 million
Scope: The third phase will involve the upgrade and construction of the last 27 km of the 72 km Jahra-Subiya expressway. The package will cover the two stretches to the Iraqi border and Bubiyan Island. The project was initiated to reduce travelling times to the planned new city at Subiya and new Bubiyan port.
Update: The main contract was expected to be awarded last month.
Oman
Orascom Leisure Complex in Salalah — Masterplan
Owner: Orascom Hotels & Development (OHD)
Budget: $2 billion
Scope: The project calls for the design and construction of a 9.5 million sq m tourism project in Salalah, comprising five-star hotels, 550 villas and 600 apartments, an 18-hole golf course and a 200-berth marina.
Update: Construction work has started on Rotana Hotel, while work on Club Mediterranee and Movenpick Hotels have yet to start.
Orascom Leisure Complex in Salalah — Phase One — Salalah Movenpick Hotel
Owner: Orascom Hotels & Development (OHD)
Budget: $600 million
Scope: The project calls for the design and construction of a five-star hotel with 400 rooms located in Salalah in the southern Omani province of Dhofar. The scope of work will also include 50 villas.
Update: Construction work has started on Rotana Hotel, while work on Club Mediterranee and Movenpick Hotels have yet to start. Movenpick Salalah Hotel is targeted to open in 2010.
Orascom Leisure Complex in Salalah — Phase One — Salalah Rotana Hotel
Owner: Orascom Hotels & Development (OHD)
Budget: $400 million
Scope: The project calls for the design and construction of a five-star hotel with 400 rooms in Salalah, comprising of restaurants, gymnasium and swimming pool. The scope of work will include 50 villas.
Update: Excavation and soil replacement for the foundations for the Rotana Hotel has already started. Construction work will be complete in 2010.
Orascom Leisure Complex in Salalah — Phase One — Club Mediterranee Hotel
Owner: Orascom Hotels & Development (OHD)
Budget: $350 million
Scope: The project calls for the design and construction of a five-star hotel with 350 rooms in Salalah in Oman. The development will also comprise of restaurants, a gymnasium and swimming pool.
Update: Construction work has started on Rotana Hotel, while work on Club Mediterranee and Movenpick Hotels has yet to start.
Orascom Leisure Complex in Salalah — Phase One — Marina
Owner: Orascom Hotels & Development (OHD)
Budget: $300 million
Scope: The development would involve excavation of 100,000 sq m of the basin and construction of the marina quay wall and waterway. The depth of the 200-berth marina will be a maximum of 5 m.
Update: About 170,000 cu m of the marina basin has been excavated and 12,000 cu m of the quay wall dredged.
Al Batina Road — Masterplan
Owner: Oman Ministry of Transport & Communications
Budget: $300 million
Scope: The project calls for design and construction of the 240-km Al Batina Road, which will link up eight districts including Barka and Shunas.
Update: Nespak has been appointed as project consultant.
Al Batina Road — Phase One
Owner: Oman Ministry of Transport & Communications
Budget: $260 million
Scope: The project calls for the design and execution of the first phase of Al Batina Road. Phase One will cover 126 km.
Update: Bids submission date was extended to March 16, 2009.
Orascom Leisure Complex in Salalah — Phase One — Marina Town
Owner: Orascom Hotels & Development (OHD)
Budget: $200 million
Scope: The project calls for the design and construction of 67 villas and 138 apartments that will form part of Orascom Leisure Complex in Salalah.
Update: The foundations for 35 villas have been completed while slabs have also been cast on 19 of these villas.
Jebel Sifah project — Banyan Tree Sifah Hotels & Resorts
Owner: Muriya Tourism Development Company
Budget: $120 million
Scope: The project calls for the design and construction of a five-star hotel with 121 rooms that will form part of Jebel Sifah project near Muscat.
Update: Design work is ongoing on the development. Construction work is expected to start by the year-end.
Qatar
New Doha International Airport (NDIA) Project — Phase One — Passenger Terminal Complex Package
Owner: New Doha International Airport (NDIA) Steering Committee
Budget: $818 million
Scope: The package involves the design, engineering and construction of a passenger terminal complex with five levels and a built-up area of more than 140 000 sq m, two concourses with three levels, 26 integral aircraft contact gates and 12 remote gates; integral spa, pool, a 100-room hotel, administrative offices and lounges; an elevated roadway 28 m wide and 380 m long, 10 m above ground; a vertical circulation node, two levels of glass and panel structure, two inclined travelators and four elevators; two glass-enclosed pedestrian bridges 10 m wide and 90 m long; and special systems including baggage handling, passenger loading bridges, CCTV, access control, multi-use flight information, airport operations database, common-user terminals, master clock, wireless data communications, trunked radio, telephone, LAN/VLAN, cabling management/routing/horizontal cabling structured cable system together with the integration of all systems. This package is the largest of the 22 packages that are involved on the NDIA development. The capacity of Phase One will be 12 million passengers.
Update: Completion is expected by July 2011.
New Doha International Airport (NDIA) Project — Phase Two — Catering Facility
Owner: New Doha International Airport (NDIA) Steering Committee
Budget: $370 million
Scope: The package involves the construction of a catering facility at the new Doha International Airport.
Update: Completion date has been delayed until 2011.
Qatar Airways — Doha Airport Rotana Hotel
Owner: Qatar Airways
Budget: $103 million
Scope: The project calls for design and construction of a four-star, 400-room Airport Hotel located near the existing Doha Airport. The development consists of a basement, ground and first floor, plus two six-storey towers. The scope of work will include retail shops, restaurants, lounge, meeting rooms, a business centre, health club and swimming pool. The total built-up area will be 43,135 sq m.
Update: Gulf Contracting Company is carrying out construction work on the development and will complete it in November.
Saudi Arabia
Economic City in Eastern Province
Owner: Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (Sagia)
Budget: $30 billion
Scope: The project calls for the design and construction of an integrated economic city in the Eastern Province, similar to King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz bin Musaed Economic City in Hail, Jizan Economic City and the Knowledge Economic City in Madinah. The development will have residential and commercial districts, industrial area, ports, resorts and financial island.
Update: The winning contractor will be responsible for hiring sub-contractors for the project.
Tabuk Economic City
Owner: Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (Sagia)
Budget: $30 billion
Scope: The project calls for the design and construction of an integrated economic city in Tabuk in northern Saudi Arabia, similar to King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz bin Musaed Economic City in Hail, Jizan Economic City and the Knowledge Economic City in Madinah. It will have residential and commercial districts, industrial area, ports, resorts and financial island.
Update: The development is still under study. Tenders for the main construction package are expected to be issued by the year-end.
Jeddah Project — Masterplan
Owner: Kingdom Holding Company (KHC)
Budget: $16.7 million
Scope: The scope of work includes a mixed-use project covering 7.1 sq km and with a total built-up area of 23,000,000 sq m located by the Red Sea in northern Jeddah. It will comprise a 1,000-m-high sky scraper (called the Mile Tower), residential and commercial buildings and hotels. The residential area will cover 1.5 million sq m and will house 80,000 people. The commercial area will cover 470,000 sq m, the education vicinity will spread over150,000 sq m, the offices over 800,000 sq m and leisure facilities, tourism and hotels over 2.38 million sq m. A diplomatic quarter has been proposed as a part of the project which will stretch from the Red Sea coast of north Jeddah to Sharm Obhur.
Update: The consultant is working on the design.
Al Wasl Development
Owner: Limitless
Budget: $12.5 billion
Scope: Al Wasl is the first of several projects planned by Limitless in Saudi Arabia. To be developed on a 14 million sq m site north of Riyadh, it is designed to reflect and complement the natural environment of nearby Wadi Hanifa. Al Wasl will comprise a number of inter-connected districts and include more than 55,000 homes — a mixture of villas, townhouses and apartments; over 300 hectares of green, open space; 1 million sq m of office space; three large mosques, each accommodating up to 2,000 people; more than 2,000 hotel rooms; seven shopping centres, including a world-class mall, with a total of 270,000 sq m of retail facilities; schools and a university; a hospital; and a sports stadium.
Update: Earthworks on the first phase of Al Wasl Development is complete. Infrastructure work on the project is in progress with completion scheduled by 2010.
SRO — South Railway (Jeddah-Jizan; Taif-Khamis Mushayt)
Owner: Saudi Railways Organisation (SRO)
Budget: $10 billion
Scope: The project calls for expanding the Saudi Arabian railway network to serve Asir and Jizan areas in the southern region of Saudi Arabia. The railway will extend from Jeddah to Jizan and from Taif near Makkah to Khamis Mushayit. Similar to the Makkah-Madinah railway, the Saudi Land Bridge and North South Railway (NSR), the contract will be awarded on a design, build, operate and transfer (DBOT) basis.
Update: The feasibility study has been completed and the project is awaiting budget approval from Saudi Railways Organisation (SRO).
SRO — North Railway (Madinah-Dhiba-Tabuk-Abu Ajram)
Owner: Saudi Railways Organisation (SRO)
Budget: $10 billion
Scope: The project calls for expanding the Saudi railway network to serve the northern sea coast and Tabuk in the north-west of Saudi Arabia. The railway will extend from Madinah to Dhiba on the Red Sea, then north-east to Tabuk at the Saudi-Jordanian border to Abu Ajram in northwest Al Nufud region where it meets the Maaden phosphate railway. Similar to the Makkah-Madinah railway, Saudi Land Bridge and North South Railway (NSR), the contract will be a design, build, operate and transfer (DBOT) basis.
Update: The project is still in the study stage.
Shamieh Project — Masterplan
Owner: Shamieh Real Estate Development Company
Budget: $9.3 billion
Scope: The project calls for the design and construction of residential apartments, commercial centres, hotels, schools, mosques, hospitals and related facilities, car-parks for 10,500 vehicles and transport corridors to carry pilgrims. The development will cover an area of 1.8 million sq m north of the Haram mosque in Makkah.
Update: The client is finalising the design.
Rawabi Rumah
Owner: Al Shoula Group — Emaar Properties
Budget: $7 billion
Scope: The project calls for the design and construction of a 31 million sq m mixed-use development located near Riyadh.
Update: The client is finalising the design. Tender documents for the main contract are expected to be issued by mid-year.
SRO – Makkah-Madinah Railway
Owner: Saudi Railways Organisation (SRO)
Budget: $4.2 billion
Scope: The Saudi Railways Organisation’s project calls for the development of a rail network linking Makkah and Madinah, and passing through the western port cities of Jeddah and Rabigh. It will be executed on a design, build, operate and transfer (DBOT) basis for 50 years. The scheme will have six stations: near the Holy Mosque in Makkah; Makkah outskirts; Jeddah airport; Jeddah city centre; Rabigh; Madinah, 3 km from the Holy Mosque. The railway will be primarily geared towards passenger service and will be a high-speed mass transit system with about 100 trains running on the line daily. It will serve approximately 2.5 million pilgrims during the Hajj period and 7.5 million Umrah visitors during the year – approximately two million Umrah visitors during the Ramadan season alone – in addition to commuter traffic between Makkah and Jeddah. The development also includes setting up signalling and control systems.
Update: A consortium of Al Rajhi, Alstom and China Railway Engineering has been awarded the civil works contract for the Makkah-Madinah Railway.
Al Zahira City in Jeddah
Owner: Ezhaar Real Estate Development and Investment
Budget: $4 billion
Scope: The project calls for the design and construction of a 2.9 million sq m sq m mixed-use development on Palestine Road, east of Jeddah. It will comprise 20,000 housing units and 150,000 sq m of surrounding gardens. The scope of work also includes infrastructure work and other related facilities.
Update: The project has been sold to another investor.
Prisoner Rehabilitation Centres
Owner: Saudi Arabia Ministry of Interior
Budget: $3.7 billion
Scope: The project calls for the design and construction of seven rehabilitation centres for prisoners to be located in Riyadh, Jeddah, Madinah, Taif, Baha, Dammam and Jouf. Each centre will cover an area of 4 million sq m with total built-up area of 300,000 to 350,000 sq m.
Update: The lowest bidder for the main construction contract is Saudi Oger at $3.4 billion followed by Saudi Binladin Group at $3.473 billion.
King Saud University — 12 Buildings for Women Colleges
Owner: King Saud University
Budget: $2.4 billion
Scope: The project calls for the design and construction of a new women's college at King Saud University covering an area of approximately one million sq m in Riyadh. The scope of work includes 12 buildings for the colleges of medical, dentistry, pharmacy, applied science, nursing, science, food and agricultural sciences, computer science, arts, education, business administration and languages.
Update: Construction work has started and will take three years to complete.
Makkah Light Rail (Al-Mashaheer)
Owner: Saudi Arabia Ministry of Municipal & Rural Affairs
Budget: $2 billion
Scope: The project calls for design and construction of a light railway system in Makkah serving 90,000 passengers per hour. The network will be 19 km long and will connect the holy sites at Makkah, Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat.
Update: China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) has been awarded the main contract. The project will take two years to complete.
SRO – Makkah-Madinah Railway — Civil Package
Owner: Saudi Railways Organisation (SRO)
Budget: $1.8 billion
Scope: The package entails all civil works for the 444-km-long railway between the holy cities.
Update: The consortium of Al Rajhi, Alstom, Al Arrab Contracting Company and China Railway Engineering has been awarded the civil works contract for the Makkah-Madinah Railway.
Rehab Al Riyadh
Owner: Talaat Moustafa Group
Budget: $1.6 billion
Scope: The project calls for the design and construction of a residential development in Riyadh, including 4,200 units and the associated facilities.
Update: Construction work will start this month. Saudi Binladin Group has been appointed as the main contractor.
King Khalid University (KKU) City — Phase Two — Medical Complex
Owner: King Khalid University (KKU)
Budget: $800 million
Scope: The project calls for the design and construction of a medical complex, which will have nine buildings, ranging from four to fivestoreys, and a six-storey 800-bed student hospital building as part of the King Khalid University (KKU) City in Abha. The complex will include medical, dentistry and pharmacy colleges, and a library.
Update: Bids have been submitted for the main construction package. The lowest bidder is Beijing Construction Engineering Group at $800 million.
Riyadh Airport Tunnel
Owner: Arriyadh Development Authority
Budget: $550 million
Scope: The project calls for the design and construction of three new tunnels, which will run beneath the existing Riyadh Air Base in the centre of the capital. The scope of work will include two tunnels, which will measure 800 m in length while the third measuring 1.7 km. The total length of the tunnels will be 3.3 km.
Update: The main construction contract is expected to be awarded this month.
UAE
Saadiyat Island Development — Masterplan
Owner: Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC)
Budget: $22.915 billion
Scope: The project will involve the construction of a mixed-use island complex that will be situated 7 km south of Abu Dhabi city. It will include 19 km of beachfront, 29 hotels comprising 7,000 rooms in total, three marinas, 8,000 residential villas and in excess of 38,000 residential apartments. Spread across six districts, the island will cover approximately 27 sq km and will house about 150,000 people. The project components include a museum, concert hall and maritime history centre (Black Pearls), three harbours and a central park (Al Marina), a golf course, sailing club and hotels (Saadiyat Beach), three- and four-star hotels and boardwalk along the shoreline (South Beach), residential villas and units around the island’s central lagoon with another golf course (Saadiyat Park and The Wetlands).
Update: Bids have been submitted for the main construction package. The bidders are Alec, Al Habtoor Leighton, Arabtec Construction, Dutco Balfour Beatty, and Murray & Roberts Contractors.
Downtown Jebel Ali — Masterplan
Owner: Limitless
Budget: $12 billion
Scope: The project involves development of an 11-km land stretch covering 200 hectares with a built-up area of 70 million sq ft on the Sheikh Zayed Road between the Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai Waterfront and Dubai Techno-Park. It will consist of four quarters – East Quarter, East Central, West Central and West Quarter. Each quarter provides a complete range of services for businesses, residents and retailers who will make Downtown Jebel Ali their home. Each one has three individual districts – the Urban Centre, the Trellis and Madinah Districts, creating a vibrant blend of business, residential, shopping, and dining and entertainment facilities. With a total of 326 buildings, of which 237 will be residential and 89 will be commercial.
Update: Limitless invited contractors to bid by the end of last month for a contract to design and build the people-mover system at Downtown Jebel Ali development. An award is expected by June.
Abu Dhabi Light Rail Project — Masterplan
Owner: Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities & Agriculture (DMA)
Budget: $3 billion
Scope: The project calls for the design and construction of a 350-km long high-speed rail link and urban transport system for Abu Dhabi. The light rail system will include eight stations, along Hamdan Street, five stations along Airport Road, five along Khalifa Street, seven more in the Mina area, one station each at Marina mall and on Suwwa Island, five stations on Reem island and two on Saadiyat Island. The rail system will also serve the development opposite to Abu Dhabi Island, including the proposed capital core development that will be located between Mohammed bin Zayed City and Khalifa City, Raha Beach and Yas Island and the project is on Abu Dhabi 2030 Plan.
Update: Abu Dhabi Department of Transport has invited bids by April 13, 2009 for the consultancy contract, which includes the feasibility study, concept design, preliminary engineering, tender documents preparation, award of construction contract.
Khalifa Port & Industrial Zone (formerly known as Mina Zayed Port) — MGM Grand Abu Dhabi
Owner: Mubadala Development Company
Budget: $3 billion
Scope: The project calls for the design and construction of MGM Grand hotel and two further branded luxury hotels with more than 1,200 rooms located within Mina Zayed Port area in Abu Dhabi. It will also feature a 12,000-spectator arena, retail shops, dining and convention facilities, waterfront residences and private yacht berths.
Update: The main tender is expected to be issued in June. Construction work is scheduled to start in the first quarter of 2010 and project completion is expected in early 2012.
Abu Dhabi Corniche — Nation Towers
Owner: International Capital Trading (ICT)
Budget: $817 million
Scope: The project calls for the design and construction of a mixed-use development at Corniche Abu Dhabi. It involves the construction of a retail area, and office and residential towers, with a total built-up area of 310,000 sq m.
Update: The bid process for the main construction contract is still ongoing, with an award expected by next month.
Al Raha Beach Complex — Al Muneera
Owner: Aldar Properties
Budget: $815 million
Scope: The project calls for the design and construction of a mixed-use development. It will comprise eight 14-storey apartment buildings, 11 villas, 148 townhouses and a 14-storeys commercial building plus cafés, restaurants and retail outlets. Part of the development will be on a reclaimed land.
Update: Shoring and piling work has been completed.
Al Falah Development Project — Abu Dhabi — Mixed-use Properties
Owner: Aldar Properties
Budget: $722 million
Scope: The project will involve the construction of 2,080 residential villas as well as the associated infrastructure facilities and a man-made hill which will form the centrepiece of the development situated inland from the Al Raha Beach development in Abu Dhabi.
Update: As per market sources, the project has been put on hold.
Al Bustan Development — Abu Dhabi
Owner: Al Hamid Group
Budget: $613 million
Scope: The project calls for the design and construction of five 17-storey mixed-use towers in Abu Dhabi. It will comprise a hotel, office tower, serviced apartments and retail and food outlets and a five-storey car park.
Update: Construction has progressed to the second floor level.
Business Bay Development — Executive Towers
Owner: Dubai Properties
Budget: $545 million
Scope: The project will involve the construction of 11 high-rise buildings, each 30-40 storeys high, within the Business Bay development. The buildings will provide a mix of residential and commercial facilities.
Update: Completion date has been delayed until the end of June.
Dubai Waterfront Development — Veneto District — 740 Villas
Owner: Nakheel
Budget: $544 million
Scope: The project calls for the design and construction of 740 villas and associated facilities that will form part of the Veneto District within the Dubai Waterfront Development scheme.
Update: Construction work is progressing as per schedule. The handover will be in March 2010.
Al-Raha Beach Complex — Al Dana Business Precinct — Masterplan
Owner: Aldar Properties
Budget: $500 million
Scope: The project calls for the design and construction of the business precinct of Al Raha Beach. Al Dana will stretch along 8 km and will have high- and low-rise buildings, a hotel, a convention centre as well as the new headquarters for Aldar.
Update: The development will be redesigned.
Business Bay Development — Artisan Cluster Development
Owner: KM Properties
Budget: $489 million
Scope: The project calls for the design and construction of two mixed-use towers that will form a part of Business Bay Development scheme. The two-storey towers (Tamani Arts Royal Suites) will offers 104 exclusive Royal Suites residences ranging from 1,475 sq ft to 2,269 sq ft. The project will also include 800 to 1,000 offices with built-up areas ranging from 800 sq ft to 2,000 sq ft. The project will cover an area of 2 million sq ft.
Update: GCA Arquitectes Associates has been appointed as interior designer.
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Development — The Buildings by Daman
Owner: Daman Asset Management
Budget: $450 million
Scope: The project will involve the construction of a mixed-use complex providing residential apartments, offices, a 100-room, five-star hotel and other retail facilities with a built-up area of 1.6 million sq ft. Part of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) development and covering 220,000 sq ft, the project will include the construction of two buildings – one 14 storeys high providing office facilities and the other 58 storeys offering residential apartments and hotel facilities.
Update: Completion date has been delayed by 12 months.
