Bahrain Real Estate Investment (Edamah) has announced an investment of $930M to transform the Hawar Islands into an eco-friendly tourism destination.The project, to be located across 100ha on the northern coast, will be delivered in two stages. Stage one will include the construction of a 350 key five-star lagoon resort and 150 eco-friendly apartments and villas. Stage two will involve the renovation of an 100-year old Hawar mosque, the development of a bird research centre, a hotel and heritage souq, 155 residential villas and a wellness resort and spa.Construction work is expected to start in 2017, with the lagoon resort opening in 2019. The second phase of the development will be complete by the end of 2021. The development also includes a revamp of the existing Hawar resort, which will offer new water sports activities, entertainment and restaurant facilities. The resort is scheduled to open its doors in July 2016.Edamah’s chief development officer Mireille Babti said: “Preserving the environment and promoting healthy living is at the heart of our development’s strategy. “We are promoting an offering to cater to diverse lifestyles and socioeconomic conditions, and we aim to transform Hawar into an eco-friendly offering that intertwines with nature to provide an experience of barefoot luxury that is second to none.“In doing so, the team is conscious of developing Northern Hawar in a holistic manner, promoting sustainability and innovation, while preserving the raw wilderness of the habitat.”Once completed, the project is expected to create 3,000 direct jobs.Hawar archipelago comprises 35 islands spanning over 51M sq m to the south-east of the Kingdom’s mainland. 80% of its land is a wildlife preservation zone, home to the world’s largest breeding for the Socotra cormorant bird, the dugong seacow, the Arabian oryx, reem gazelle, and extensive sea grass and coral.
Larsen & Toubro and Al Balagh Trading & Contracting joint venture has been awarded a contract to build the Al Rayyan Stadium in Qatar.The contract was announced by the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy.Designed by Ramboll and Pattern, the 40,000-seat stadium will host games up to the quarter-finals at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.Under the contract, the joint venture will be responsible for the main works and construction of the site, following the completion of enabling works.The contract for the project is for a combined value of $360m for both JV partners and is scheduled to be completed by 2019.After completion of the tournament, the stadium will accommodate 20,000 seats and will be the home for Al Rayyan Sports Club.Al Balagh chairman Sherida Saad Jubran Al Kaabi said: "The award of main construction works for Al Rayyan Stadium and precinct to Al Balagh, a 100% Qatari company along with its joint venture partner, L&T, is a great honour and recognition."L&T Qatar CEO Dr Jens Huckfeldt said: "It is a matter of immense pride for us at Larsen & Toubro Limited, along with our joint venture partner Al Balagh, to have been given the responsibility to design and build the Al Rayyan Stadium and Precinct in preparation for the historic first Middle Eastern FIFA World Cup in 2022."We are extremely mindful of the trust and confidence given to us by the Supreme Committee for constructing this stadium and it will be our endeavour to deliver a masterpiece."
Saudi Aramco has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with GE and Cividale SpA of Italy to build the SAR1.5bn ($400M) forging and casting manufacturing facility in Saudi Arabia.The facility will be located in Ras Al-Khair under the Royal Commission of Jubail and Yanbu industrial area.It will complement Saudi Aramco’s plans to develop several industrial projects in the country including a maritime project focused on building, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of offshore platforms, jack-ups, offshore service vessels and commercial tankers.The facility is scheduled to be operational in 2020 and create 2,000 jobs in the region. Cividale is a producer in the steel and cast iron industry.Saudi Aramco’s senior vice president of finance, strategy and development Abdallah Al-Saadan said: “The MoU reflects our ambition to create a robust supply chain that builds positive synergies in the oil and gas manufacturing sector.“This builds on our deep commitment to support the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to promote economic and industrial diversification in the Kingdom and boost localized manufacturing.”The plant is scheduled to be operational in 2020 and create 2,000 jobs in the region.
Dubai Holding’s real estate arm Dubai Properties Group has started work on a AED1bn ($272M) waterfront development in Dubai.The project, named ‘Marasi Business Bay’, will feature a 12km promenade, water homes with boat access, floating restaurants and cafes, leisure and entertainment facilities and five tree-lined marinas.It will also include more than 100 shops and outlets, spanning about 16,000sq m, and 60,000sq m of park area.The promenade will be divided into three themed areas, the yacht club with luxury homes, the park and the pier.According to the developer, the Bay is set to become a major future landmark in Dubai, a unique waterside destination concept in the UAE and Middle East.H.E. Mohammad Abdulla AlGergawi, chairman of Dubai Holding, said: “The new project will strengthen the historic relationship between Dubai and its creek through the addition of a new dimension to the residential, tourism and leisure offerings along the Dubai Creek.“Located along the Dubai Water Canal, this waterfront destination embraces the longest water-side promenades, comprising a space rich with green spaces. Our goal is to build a way of life. “Our approach to the real estate landscape has gone far beyond the construction of towers and buildings, to encompass innovation and creativity; a symbol of the civilization of Dubai and the UAE and an essential instrument contributing to the happiness of the people as envisioned by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.”‘Marasi Business Bay’ will be built in phases, with its first phase, the promenade, to be complete by September 2016, followed by the park and the yacht club. Overall works are set to be concluded by 2023.
Dubai Municipality has awarded a contract to build an AED 1.8bn ($490M) conference centre in Dubai.Located on a 55,000sq m site in Al Jaddaf, the centre will feature Sheikh Rashid Hall conference venue, an 18,000sq m indoor arena with a height of 98ft capable of accommodating 10,000 people. It will include theatre-style seating and will be ideal for international conferences, seminars, music concerts and shows. The project will also see the construction of five sub-halls, each covering a total area of 975sq m and accommodating up to 1,000 people. The three new adjoining towers will include a 33-storey three-star hotel, a 48-floor four-star hotel and a 36-floor office block to be linked to the halls through a concourse building featuring shops and restaurants.A 65,000sq m car park with capacity for 1,800 cars will be also built.
Spanish construction firm Grupo ACS has secured a €235M contract to construct an industrial waste treatment plant in Abu Dhabi.ACS unit Intecsa, delivering the contract on behalf of the Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Company Takreer, will design, procure, build and commission a plant that will have a capacity to treat industrial waste from all the affiliates of Adnoc in Abu Dhabi.The facility will be situated in the industrial zone of Ruwais, about 250km west of Abu Dhabi.Construction work is set to commence next month and the plant is expected to be complete in the second half of 2019.
UAE-based real estate developer Sobha Group and the government of Umm Al Quwain have signed an equal stake joint venture to develop an AED25bn ($6.8bn) tourism resort on Al Sinniyah Island.The project, called Firdous Sobha, will feature a luxury seafront villa community, hotels and resorts, apartments, boutique shops, an 18-hole golf course, a water sports centre and a wellness spa.Located on Al Seniyah Island, along with Khor al-Beidah, the development will cover a total land area of 53m sq ft.Sobha’s Group founder and chairman PNC Menon said: "Our latest project announcement represents our commitment to the UAE."In line with our aim to fully leverage the opportunities present in this highly dynamic market, we have partnered with Umm Al Quwain Government, and are jointly to transform the island into a world class destination and a hot spot for iconic properties."By combining our capabilities and expertise, we are confident ‘Firdous Sobha’ will be a proud testament to our commitment to quality."
DAMAC Properties has announced that its $1.3bn luxury hotel and serviced residences, DAMAC Towers by Paramount Hotels & Resorts, in Dubai has been topped out. The company also stated that 60% of the façade work of the four-tower complex has been completed, with the interior fit-out progressing steadily.Each tower of DAMAC Towers by Paramount Hotels & Resorts will stretch more than 250m into the air, with ten podium levels and 58 additional storeys. Three of the four towers will have, in total, 1,200 luxury serviced residences.The fourth tower, the Paramount Hotel, will feature more than 800 rooms and suites, along with a lobby with a coffee lounge and chocolaterie. It will also include a reception area, featuring 360-degree floor-to-ceiling digital walls and a wide range of eateries.Paramount Hotels & Resorts chairman Ghassan Aridi said: "This is a much-anticipated achievement for us, as it will be the world's first-ever Paramount Hotel and Paramount Residences, and it will also represent the premiere of the Paramount Hotels & Resorts brand in the UAE."Dubai has built a reputation as a leisure destination, with impeccable service standards and lifestyle offering. DAMAC Towers by Paramount Hotels & Resorts will seamlessly combine the timeless Hollywood glamour of the movie industry with Dubai style."The towers are expected to be completed in 2017.
Oman’s Minister of Housing Sheikh Saif bin Mohammed Al Shabibi has signed two housing contracts worth OMR75,97m ($197m). The first deal involves setting up infrastructure for a new residential area in Liwa in the Governorate of North Al Batinah, while the second agreement is related to providing consultancy services for preparing the necessary studies and detailed layouts for the new urban complex at Al Najd area in the Wilayat of Thumrait in the Governorate of Dhofar. The new agreements include water, irrigation, rainwater discharge, sanitary drainage, electricity and communication networks. Earlier, the agreement for levelling the site and roads for the new residential area in the Wilayat of Liwa was signed for more than OMR25m ($65m), and included the construction of roads that connect the residential districts and the service road parallel to the current Al Batinah road.
Artar Real Estate Development, the property development arm of Abdulrahman Saad Al-Rashid & Sons Company, has completed 15% of the construction work on the Mada Residences in Dubai. The AED600m ($163m) Mada Residences are being built in Downtown Dubai, where the main core of the tower has reached the fifth floor.The development will feature a total of 193 one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom units. With floor-to-ceiling glass throughout, each unit has been designed to be light, airy and roomy.Residents at Mada Residences will have access to a roof-top swimming pool, children's pool, terrace lounge, sauna and steam rooms, jacuzzi, a gym and a multi-purpose residents' lounge. Artar’s CEO Sulaiman Abdulrahman Al Rashid said: "Since the commencement of construction, the progress of Mada Residences, has been on schedule. We are in the process of pouring the concrete for the first podium floor above ground, with the main core of the tower reaching the 5th floor."Savvy buyers are recognizing the potential of this area and are confident enough to purchase multiple units with expectations of steady appreciation over the next three to five years."Our successful sales record with Mada Residences is largely attributable to our competitive prices, attractive payment plan, project location, unit layout design and the advanced construction progress."The construction progress on the site indicates that the project will be completed by July 2018.
A joint venture between San Jose Contracting and Pivot Engineering & General Contracting has won the main construction contract for Mamsha Al Saadiyat, a residential development in Abu Dhabi.The AED1.25bn (about $340m) project will be the first residential development within the Saadiyat Cultural District. It will feature nine low-rise residential buildings with a total of 461 units, 414 of which will be apartments ranging from one- to four-bedroom apartments, as well as five-bedroom duplex penthouses and 47 townhouses. Each penthouse will have a private swimming pool and terrace, as well as a modern kitchen, two living rooms and a dining room. There will be accommodation for maids and drivers as well.The gross floor area of the apartments will range from approximately 106–454 sq m, while the townhouses will range from approximately 227–315 sq m.The entire project will also include a serviced-apartment building and a retail destination offering approximately 5,000 sq m of leasable area for both retail and dining outlets.The townhouses, ranging in size from two to three bedrooms, will be located on the ground floor of each building, with some having a roof garden.Work on the development's foundation has already been completed by Nael & Bin Harmal Hydroexport (NBHH) and included excavation, shoring, dewatering and piling works.Mamsha Al Saadiyat will be developed in phases, and is expected to be complete in the second half of 2018.
Miral and Warner Bros have announced that the $1bn Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi theme park construction is in progress. The themed destination is being built on Yas Island, alongside the Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and Yas Waterworld, where rides are already under production. The development will also feature a Warner Bros branded hotel.The first phase of the project is slated to open in 2018 and is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs.Warner Bros Entertainment chairman and CEO Kevin Tsujihara said: "Warner Bros has been entertaining audiences for more than 90 years with the world's most-loved characters and franchises."Working with our partners at Miral, we'll bring this expertise to Yas Island, one of the world's leading entertainment destinations, to create a fully-interactive, innovative and unique experience that will allow fans of all ages to experience the most exciting aspects of Warner Bros. in a completely immersive environment."
Al Gharbia Pipe Company (Al Gharbia) has broken ground on a steel plant in the Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad).
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba) has awarded the $3.6bn Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Management (EPCM) contract for its Line 6 Expansion Project to International Bechtel. Bechtel was the EPCM contractor for Alba’s Line 4 and 5 expansions.According to the contract, Bechtel will design and construct the sixth potline as well as aiding industrial services. When completed, Line 6 will boost Alba’s single-site aluminium smelter’s production by 540,000 tonnes per annum, taking Alba’s total production capacity to 1.5m tonnes per annum. Alba Board of Directors chairman Shaikh Daij Bin Salman Bin Daij Al Khalifa said: “The appointment of Bechtel is a step forward towards delivering the Line 6 Expansion Project, which is a significant milestone for the Kingdom of Bahrain. Alba and Bechtel have a history that spans over 25 years, and we are confident that Bechtel will deliver excellence at all times.”
Hanwha Engineering & Construction (Hanwha E&C) has secured a $400m EPC contract from Saudi Calcined Petroleum Coke (SCPC) for a chemical plant in Saudi Arabia.The contract marks Hanwha E&C's third chemical order in Saudi Arabia and follows the construction of an ethylamine chemical plant in 2010 and the $900m under-construction phosphoric acid plant.The new chemical plant will be located in the Jubail 2 Industrial City, southeast of Saudi Arabia. When completed, the facility will be capable of producing 670,000 tonnes of calcined petroleum coke annually.Hanwha E&C carried out the design work in advance through the early work agreement, which enabled the Korean construction company to enhance the design accuracy.Construction is expected to be completed by the first half of 2018.
Aldar Properties has launched Yas Acres in Abu Dhabi, a residential development worth AED6bn (about $1.63bn).Yas Acres will be built on the northern shores of Yas Island. It will feature range of two- to six-bedroom villas and townhouses.The development will have 1,315 villas. Villa clusters will include landscaped parks, running and cycling tracks, community pool areas along with playgrounds, sports facilities and barbecue areas.A full length nine-hole golf course and member's country will be at the centre of the development. Running the full length of the development along either side of the golf course will be the Royal Oak comprising four- to six-bedroom luxury villas with golf, park and sea views.Yas Acres will also feature five mosques, two schools, a retail centre, a full service ADNOC petrol station, a yacht club and marina. When completed, the development will be able to house 15,000 residents. Aldar Properties CEO Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak said: "Yas Acres is compelling for investors looking to buy into the steady returns and future growth of the well-established Yas Island community."The new development is also exciting for those who want to buy a family home to live in and aspire to the luxury lifestyle amenities that define Yas Island living."We have designed a complete, sustainable community and are confident buyers will be eager to gain access to these new quality homes."
Emaar Properties has unveiled plans to build a $1bn skyscraper in Dubai that will exceed the height of the Burj Khalifa, which is at present the tallest building in the world.The tower at Dubai Creek Harbour project will be "a notch taller" than the 828m Burj Khalifa, but its exact height has not been revealed. It has been designed by Spanish/Swiss neo-futuristic architect, structural engineer, sculptor and painter Santiago Calatrava Valls. The design will be finalised after elaborate wind tunnel testing and all mandatory seismic testing.The design of the tower has been inspired from the lily and invokes the image of a minaret, which is a common feature and distinctive aspect of Islamic culture. The building will have an observation deck, gardens, and between 18 and 20 floors dedicated to shops, restaurants and other tourist facilities.The project will take into consideration environmental and sustainability features such as environment-friendly tram service and a number of green corridors.Emaar Properties chairman Mohamed Alabbar said: "The Tower in Dubai Creek Harbour is our tribute to the positivity, energy and optimism that Dubai and the UAE celebrate, led by a leadership committed to all-round progress."It will be the destination for the world to visit, enjoy and celebrate life, as Dubai prepares to host the Expo 2020."It will also position Dubai Creek Harbour as one of the most desired residential, leisure and touristic attractions, providing visitors and residents with a modern, luxurious and sustainable environment in which to live, work, learn and entertain."
UAE-based Engineering Contracting Company (ECC L.L.C.) has secured a contract worth AED687m ($187m) from Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) to build the Badr Project Phase 1 on a DIB-owned land in the UAE. The project forms part of a self-contained residential community that includes five distinct zones with apartment buildings, as well as a number of villas and other community buildings and recreational facilities.DIB said that the Badr project will have a Mediterranean theme, inspired by elements of Andalusian, Spanish and Italian architecture.With a total built-up area of 13.8m sq ft, Badr Project will be developed across five phases. First phase will have a built-up area of 2.2m sq ft and is anticipated to be completed by 2018.Phase 1 is located centrally within the overall project adjacent to a central park with mixed-use and retail facilities. DIB managing director Abdulla Al Hamli said: “Following a thorough tender process to identify the right construction partner, we selected ECC L.L.C. as the lead contractor to bring the Phase 1 of this project to completion. “With regard to Badr, we are confident that given its location, quality of project, attractive price points, it will be high on the priority list of investors.”
Emirates Aluminium Rolling (Emiroll) is set to invest about AED440m ($119.7m) for the construction of an aluminium rolling plant in the Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi, UAE.Emiroll is a joint venture between Dubal Holding with a 35% stake, Dubai Investments with a 30% holding, and Singapore-based industrial group MARS with the remaining 35% stake. The plant, spread out on 900,000 sq ft of land, will be used to manufacture 65,000 tonnes of aluminium coils annually, comprising 45,000 tonnes of cold-rolled and 20,000 tonnes of hot-rolled aluminium for applications in downstream industries.Construction of the plant will commence soon, with the facility expected to be operational by the third quarter of 2017.Dubal Holding CEO Abdulnasser Bin Kalban said: “Dubal Holding has kept its focus firmly on a diverse growth strategy, and this joint venture with Dubai Investments and MARS for Emiroll aims at creating new demand for aluminium in the rapidly-growing downstream industries across the region. “Dubal Holding’s stake in Emiroll is a significant milestone in its growth plans, as it seeks to strengthen its presence in aluminium sector globally.”
Arabtec Construction has won a contract worth AED1.7bn ($462m) from the UAE federal government to build villas for UAE nationals in Mohammed Bin Zayed City, Fujairah.The scope of the contract will include the construction of 1,100 villas on a 215-hectare plot, including 300 five-room villas, 700 four-room villas, and 100 villas for widows or small families.The project will have a total built-up area of 430,000 sq m. Construction work is expected to commence immediately and will be completed in about two-and-a-half years.Arabtec Holding acting CEO Saeed Mohamed Al Mehairbi said: “We are proud that the Ministry of Presidential Affairs has chosen Arabtec to execute this project of national importance.”