Qaryat Al Hidd ... a key project in Abu Dhabi.
Shapoorji Pallonji reinforces presence
01 August 2020
Shapoorji Pallonji Engineering & Construction, a global, diversified organisation based in India, has had a major presence in the Middle East during the last few years and is aiming to further increase its footprint through its global arm Shapoorji Pallonji International (Spint).
Spint has built hundreds of landmark structures worldwide in various segments, including residential, commercial, industrial, healthcare, hospitality, and educational, as well as stadiums over these years.
Shapoorji Pallonji group has a rich history of over 154 years in the global construction industry with an annual turnover of $7 billion. Since its inception, it has been a pioneer in the construction industry in India.
The company has clinched several prestigious projects in the Gulf region, and boasts an impressive portfolio that includes the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr hotel in Abu Dhabi, the Marriott Hotel Abu Dhabi, and Damac’s Park Towers in Dubai, all in the UAE; Sultan Qaboos Palace in Muscat, Oman; and Barwa City Amenities Zone in Doha, Qatar.
One of its recent projects in the region is the Omani commercial venture, Village Square, coming up on a 14,000-sq-m area within Muscat Bay, a joint venture between Saraya Holdings and Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran).
Its local unit, Oman Shapoorji Company (Osco) is handling the construction of the Village Square, which is expected to be completed this year.
The new Village Square will include a range of facilities such as restaurants, cafes, a supermarket, a gym and a number of retail shops in addition to public facilities such as swimming pools, entertainment areas for kids and multi-use playgrounds.
Another large project in the UAE is the Dh1.5-billion ($418 million) Qaryat Al Hidd, a community development located on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi. Shapoorji Pallonji is the main contractor for the 160,000-sq-m luxury development, with B+H Architects Corp being the design consultant and Khatib & Alami, the lead architectural and engineering multi-disciplinary consultants.
Qaryat Al Hidd consists of two separate residential developments, Sunrise and Sunset, with 900 luxury apartments spread across 12 buildings each housing one- to four-bedroom apartments.
Qaryat Al Hidd forms part of the larger 1.5-million-sq-m Hidd Al Saadiyat masterplan development on Saadiyat Island and will feature a range of amenities including parks, playgrounds, shops, restaurants as well as luxury five-star resorts and world-class marina and yacht club.
Meanwhile in Bahrain, Shapoorji Pallonji Mideast in joint venture with Cebarco Bahrain is working on the construction of the 200,000-sq-m Marassi Galleria Mall and the Vida Hotel and Residences at the $3-billion Marassi Al Bahrain, a mixed-use development on the eastern shores of the Diyar Al Muharraq master-planned island city in the kingdom. Eagle Hills Diyar, a joint venture between UAE-based Eagle Hills and Bahraini developer Diyar Al Muharraq, is the developer of Marassi Al Bahrain.
To be operated by UAE-based Emaar Group’s upscale lifestyle brand Vida Hotels and Resorts, the beachfront hotel will feature 160 rooms and include dining destinations, a poolside food and beverage facility, a business centre, a spa, an outdoor pool and direct access to the Marassi Galleria Mall, whereas the residences part will offer 141 serviced apartments ranging in size from one, two and three bedrooms.
After cementing its position in the regional building sector, Shapoorji Pallonji has now set its sights on the booming renewable energy market, through its subsidiary Sterling and Wilson Solar, which recently led the successful commissioning of Amin Solar photovoltaic (PV) development in Oman.
A major landmark in the journey of Sterling and Wilson Solar, it has become the first Indian company to commission a solar PV project in the region.
With installed capacity of 125 MW (DC), the Amin Solar PV project is Oman’s first renewables-based independent power project (IPP) supported by the Japanese-Omani consortium designed by Marubeni Corporation, Oman Gas Company, Bahwan Renewable Energy Company and Nebras Power.
It is also the biggest single-unit solar park in the world to use bifacial modules, which generate less heat and can withstand the desert’s temperature fluctuations.
A major player in the construction sector, Shapoorji Pallonji delivers end-to-end solutions in six business segments, namely engineering and construction, infrastructure, real estate, water, energy and financial services. The major services being offered for construction projects include civil and structural works; interior fit-out; township infrastructure; project management consultancy; architectural/structural design and engineering; mechanical, electrical and plumbing works; and integrated facility management.
– By R Sushil Nair
