Bahrain
Sitra Causeway Bridges
Owner: Bahrain Ministry of Works and Housing
Budget: $266 million

Scope of work:  The scope of work includes the replacement of the existing causeway bridges and construction of marine bridges, 200 m and 400 m in lengths, associated embankment works, 2,400 m in length, and construction of flyovers at both the ends of causeway and on Nabih Saleh Island. The embankment and bridges will carry a dual carriageway 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 section of the causeway.
Update: Sources indicated that the project cost has been increased from $198 million to $266 million.
 
Amwaj Gateway
Owner: Amwaj Gateway Company
Budget: $183 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for the design and construction of a mixed-use development consisting of six buildings on a 360,000 sq ft plot at the Amwaj Islands on the coast of Muharraq. Four buildings will comprise residential units and will consist of 20 storeys each, providing 300 apartments and 94 townhouses in total. The other two buildings, also 20 storeys each, will accommodate hotels with 144 rooms in total as well as restaurants, commercial outlets, swimming pools, gymnasiums and a private beach.
Update: Sources close to the project indicated that the construction is going on.

Amwaj Islands – Al Fanar Resort – Marriott Renaissance Hotel
Owner: Ossis Property Developers
Budget: $145 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for the design and construction of a new five-star Marriott Renaissance Hotel at the Fanar Resort. The 20-storey building will comprise 323 sea-facing rooms and also include five restaurants, lounges, a 1,500 sq m conference centre and other related leisure facilities.
Update: Sources indicated that the construction of the project is going on.

Al Areen Desert Spa & Resort – Sunset Hills
Owner: Abu Dhabi Investment House (ADIH)
Budget: $100 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for the design and construction of a mixed residential and commercial project in Bahrain’s Al Areen Development. The development will comprise 10 villas, 41 townhouse and 10 six-storey buildings with 100 apartments. Each apartment will offer one to three bedrooms and will include a car-park. Total built-up area of the development is 60,000 sq m.
Update: Construction work is expected to be completed by June 2009.

Diplomat Commercial Office Tower
Owner: National Hotels Company (NHC) Bahrain
Budget: $70 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for the construction of new twin office tower at the Diplomat Radisson SAS Hotel. The 30-storey towers that will be joined together by a lift shaft above the seventh-floor and will feature car parking facilities for 650 vehicles. The total built-up area will be 75,000 sq m.
Update: Construction work is expected to be completed by September 2010.

Kuwait

KMPW – Eighth Ring Road
Owner: Kuwait Ministry of Public Works (MPW)
Budget: $200 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for the design and construction of a new 20 km eight-lane expressway running from west to east beyond the Seventh Ring Road.
Update: According to sources close to the project, the client is still finalising the designs.

InterContinental Hotel
Owner: Al Emad Real Estate Company
Budget: $183 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for the design and construction of a 66-storey commercial tower, a 20-storey hotel with 250 rooms and a car-park for 500 to 600 vehicles. The mixed-use development is located on a 10,000 sq m plot of land on Ahmed Al Jaber Street in the Sharq district.
Update: Construction work is expected to be completed by February 2010.

Kuwait Business Town – Four Towers
Owner: Kuwait Business Town Holding Company (KBT)
Budget: $170 million
Scope of work:  The scope of work includes the design and construction of a mixed-use complex in the Al-Mirqab district in Kuwait City. The development will include four Towers, two being 27 storeys high, the third with 26 storeys and the fourth with 29 storeys. The towers will include mall, shops, offices, a convention centre, leisure & entertainment facilities and a multi-storey car-park. Kuwait Business Town development includes two more towers: one 40 storeys and the other 36 storeys.
Update: Constructon work has started on the eighth floor of the buildings.

Saad Al-Abdullah Township – Third Package
Owner: Kuwait Public Authority For Housing Welfare
Budget: $124 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for the design and construction of 443 villas, public buildings such as mosques, schools, roads and sewage systems in Saad Al-Abdullah  Township on the outskirts of Kuwait City.
Update: Sources close to the project indicated that 23 per cent of the construction work has been finished. Construction is expected to be completed by March 2010.

Saad Al-Abdullah Township – First Package
Owner: Kuwait Public Authority For Housing Welfare
Budget: $120 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for the design and construction of 460 houses, public buildings such as mosques, schools, roads and sanitation systems in Saad Al-Abdullah Township.
Update: Sources close to the project indicated that 62 per cent of the work has been done. Construction is expected to be completed by May 2009.

Injazzat Tower
Owner: Injazzat Real Estate Development Company
Budget: $80 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for design and construction of a new 28-storey office tower located beyond Al Daw Tower and will be built on 15,000 sq m plot.
Update: Sources indicate that construction work is ongoing. Projacs International has been appointed as the project manager for the development.

Kuwait Business Town – Two Towers
Owner: Kuwait Business Town Holding Company (KBT)
Budget: $80 million
Scope of work:  The scope of work includes the design and construction of a mixed-use complex in the Al-Mirqab district. The first tower will have 40 storeys and the other will have 36 storeys. The towers will include mall, shops, offices, convention centre, leisure and entertainment facilities and a multi-storey car-park. Kuwait Business Town development includes four more towers. Two of the towers will be 27 storeys high, the third will be 26 storeys and the fourth will be 29 storeys.
Update: Piling work is completed.

Saad Al-Abdullah Township – Second Package
Owner: Kuwait Public Authority For Housing Welfare
Budget: $75 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for the design and construction of 321 housing units in the Saad Al-Abdullah Township.
Update: Sources close to the project indicated that 83 per cent of construction has been completed. Construction is expected to be completed in January 2009.

Saad Al-Abdullah Township – Block 8 – Phase Three
Owner: Kuwait Public Authority For Housing Welfare
Budget: $74 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for the design and construction of 279 villas, public buildings, such as: mosques, schools, roads and sanitation systems in Saad Al-Abdullah Township on the outskirts of Kuwait City.
Update: Sources indicated that Kuwait Public Authority For Housing Welfare has signed a construction contract for 279 villas in Saad Al-Abdullah Township. Construction work will take 24 months to complete.

Oman

Orascom Leisure Complex – Masterplan
Owner: Orascom Hotels & Development (OHD)
Budget: $2,000 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for the design and construction of a 9.5 million sq m tourism project in Salalah, comprising five five-star hotels, 550 villas and 600 apartments, 18-hole golf course and a 200-berth marina.
Update: Sources indicate that construction work on phase 1 will take five years to complete. Construction work on Rotana Hotel and Movenpick Hotel will start by January 2009.

Orascom Leisure Complex – Phase One – Movenpick Hotel
Owner: Orascom Hotels & Development (OHD)
Budget: $600 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for the design and construction of a five-star hotel with 400- room located in Salalah in the southern Omani province of Dhofar. The scope of work will also include 50 villas.
Update: Sources indicate that construction work will start by January 2009.

Orascom Leisure Complex – Phase One – Rotana Hotel
Owner: Orascom Hotels & Development (OHD)
Budget: $400 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for the design and construction of a five-star hotel with 400 rooms. The hotel will be located in Salalah in the Sultanate of Oman. The development will comprise of restaurant, gymnasum and swimming pool. The work also include 50 villas.
Update: Sources indicate that, construction work will start by January 2009.

Duqm Beach Hotel
Owner: Oman Tourism Development Company
Budget: $300 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for the design and construction of a four-star, 204-room hotel and 28 chalets. The hotel will have conference and meeting rooms, a business centre and recreation facilities. The scope of work also includes restaurants, cafes, shops and car parking area. The total built-up area of the development will be approximately 45,000 sq m.
Update: Bids have been submitted for the project.

Orascom Leisure Complex – Phase One – Marina
Owner: Orascom Hotels & Development (OHD)
Budget: $300 million
Scope of work:  The project will involve excavation of a 100,000 sq m basin and construction of a marina quay wall. The development would involve construction of a concrete wall to form the central marina and waterway. The depth of the marina will vary to a maximum level of 5 m. The marina will be able to house up to 200 berths for boats.
Update: Construction work on the marina will be carried out in two phases. Some 80,000 cu m of the marina has been excavated.

Qatar

Qatar Railway Network
Owner: Qatar Ministry of Communications and Transport
Budget: $3 billion
Scope of work:  The project calls for design and execution of a railway network in Qatar. The 85 km network will connect the sporting facilities in Qatar.
Update: Sources indicated that the construction is expected to start in 2009 and the completion in 2015.

The Pearl-Qatar – Porto Arabia – The Land Development
Owner: The Land Investment & Real Estate Development Company
Budget: $550 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for the design and construction of seven 20-storey residential towers, with a built-up area of 67,700 sq m. at Porto Arabia on the Pearl-Qatar island development. The buildings will include four-storey car parks and associated entertainment facilities.
Update: Construction work is expected to be completed by March 2009.

Lusail Real Estate Development – Twin Tower
Owner: Qatar National Hotels Company
Budget: $500 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for the design and construction of 45-storey twin towers that will form part of Marina district in Lusail City. The two towers will include a two-level shopping mall with shopping outlets, restaurants, and a cinema. The first tower will be five-star hotel with 720 rooms, 98 junior suites and 16 executive suites. The second tower will comprise hotel serviced apartments offering one, two and three bedrooms. The development will cover an area of approximately 48,500 sq m.
Update: Hadi Samaan is acting as the project consultant.

Lagoon Plaza Tower (Zig-Zag Tower)
Owner: Dar Investments and Development Company
Budget: $330 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for the design and construction of a 34-storey twin tower residential building with 748 apartments, a four-storey podium, shopping centre, swimming pools, sauna, jacuzzi, sport facilities, parking space, coffee shops, restaurants and high-speed lifts as well as other facilities.
Update: Dar Investments and Development Company has signed an agreement with Qatar National Bank (QNB) to finance the project.

Qatar National Bank (QNB) Headquarters
Owner: Qatar National Bank (QNB)
Budget: $300 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for the design and construction of a 509-m-high building with a built-up area of 235,000 sq m in the central Corniche area in Doha. The 61-story tower will have a five-level basement, 88,000 sq m of parking, 9,000 sq m for the entrance and banking halls and 138,000 sq m of office space.
Update: Sources indicate that construction will be carried out in three phases. Excavation and piling work has started and will complete in February 2009. Tender documents for the second phase were expected to be issued last month with an award expected in January.

New Doha International Airport (NDIA) Project – Phase Three – Automated People Mover System
Owner: New Doha International Airport (NDIA) Steering Committee
Budget: $250 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for the design and construction of the north node, a two-track people-moving system, a commercial area, parts of the two legs that will form concourses D and E and extending the terminal building to cover a total area of 416,000 sq m.
Update: DCC Doppelmayr Cable Car GmbH & Co is carrying out construction work and is expected to be completed by June 2011.

Palm Twin Towers
Owner: Dar Investments and Development Company
Budget: $220 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for the design and construction of two towers for offices in the shape of a palm, each of them composed of 57 floors.
Update: Dar Investments and Development Company has signed an agreement with Qatar National Bank (QNB) to finance the project.

Doha Expressway Project – Package Three Industrial Interchange
Owner: Public Works Authority (Ashghal)
Budget: $180 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for the design and construction of a new industrial interchange at the Doha expressway development. The 1 km industrial interchange will include a three-lane dual carriageway, a roundabout at ground level, a four-lane dual carriageway overpass and a two-lane bridge link. The project is located at the northeast corner of the industrial area, at the intersection of Salwa Road with Al Forousiyah Street.
Update: First Leasing Bank has signed a $13.5 million agreement to lease construction and transportations equipment to the third phase of the Doha Expressway project.

Education City Development – School of Foreign Services
Owner: Qatar Foundation for Education-Science & Community Development
Budget: $165 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for the design and construction of a new School of Foreign Services that will form part of the Education City development. The school will have a built-up area of 50,000 sq m and it will include offices, IT services, a library, classrooms and a car-park.
Update: Midmac Contracting Company has won a major construction contract worth $165 million from Qatar Foundation for Education-Science & Community Development to build the School of Foreign Services.

The Gate
Owner: Salam International Investments Ltd Company
Budget: $154 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for the design and construction of a mixed-use development in the West Bay comprising three, 16-storey towers with a total built-up area of 145,000 sq m. The development, which will have a combination of commercial, retail and entertainment facilities, also includes a car-park with a built-up area of 52,000 sq m. It will also include a common three-level basement, a two-level podiums and a shopping mall.
Update: Sources indicate that construction work is ongoing and expected to be completed by September 2009.

Saudi Arabia

Jeddah Gate – Masterplan
Owner: Emaar Middle East
Budget: $1.191 billion
Scope of work:  The project calls for design and construction of a 0.5 million sq m mixed-use development in the centre of the New Jeddah Development. The project will have two parts. Part One will be 413,000 sq m along King Abdullah Street, while Part Two will cover 140,000 sq m along Abdullah Al Suleiman Street and close to the main train station linking Makkah and Madinah. The project will have 6,000 residential units, 230,000 sq m of commercial offices and 75,000 sq m of commercial outlets. The project will include three residential towers called Al Hilal Towers varying from 19 to 22 levels and including two to four bedroom apartments, pent houses. The residential units will range from 124 to 600 sq m in area. The development will also include two office towers.
Update: Infrastructure work is ongoing on the development.

King Abdulaziz Center for Knowledge and Culture
Owner: Saudi Aramco
Budget: $300 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for design and construction of a new cultural centre in Dammam. The centre will include a world-class museum, public library, historical archives, children’s educational centre and conference and performance facilities.
Update: Sources indicate that Norwegian Snohetta is acting as the project architect. The project is expected to be completed in 2011.

Jeddah Gate – Infrastructure Work
Owner: Emaar Middle East
Budget: $200 million
Scope of work:  The package entails all infrastructure work within the Jeddah Gate development including connection of roads, electricity, water, network and area lighting, drainage facilities and storm-water drainage. The total development will cover an area of 500,000 sq m.
Update: Infrastructure work is ongoing on the development.

Jazan University – Masterplan
Owner: Jazan University
Budget: $134 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for the design and construction of a 4 million sq m integrated university complex in Jazan, which will have 25 colleges for 45,000 students. Each college will have a built-up area of 30,000 sq m and a capacity for 3,000 students. The development includes a 500-bed university hospital, staff, faculty and student accommodation. There would also be a medical college for men, medical college for women, community college, science college, engineering college, computer science college, grand mosque and all other related facilities and infrastructure.
Update: Sources indicate that tenders have been issued for medical college and administration building.

Hotels Development in Jabal Al Kaaba – Phase One
Owner: Abdul Latif Jameel Real Estate Investment Company
Budget: $133 million
Scope of work:  The project will form a part of the seven-phase programme to develop a chain of hotels at Jabal Al Kaaba, to be situated in the northeast of the Grand Mosque in Makkah. The first phase will include twin tower 1,800-room, four-star hotel with a total built-up area of about 120,000 sq m . Each tower will include 34-storeys comprising three basement levels, two mezzanine levels, ground floor and a 28 upper storeys.
Update: Construction work is expected to be completed by September 2010.

Saudi Arabia Ministry of Communication and Information Technology Headquarters
Owner: Saudi Arabia Ministry of Communication & Information Technology  
Budget: $133 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for the design and construction of a 15-storey new headquarters building for Saudi Arabia Ministry of Communication and Information Technology in Riyadh. The total built-up area of the development is 50,000 sq m.
Update: Sources indicate that the client has invited contractor companies to submit their bids by September for the main contract. The project is expected to take 30 months to complete.

UAE

The Palm Deira Development – Masterplan
Owner: Nakheel
Budget: $40 billion
Scope of work:  The project will involve the construction of a mixed-use city including residential, commercial and leisure facilities and covering an area of 46 million sq m to accommodate more than one million residents. Stretching 12.5 km into the sea and being 7.5 km wide, it will involve 1.14 billion cu m of dredging and reclamation. Development will comprise nine interconnected areas: Palm Crown, Palm Fronds, Palm Crescent, Palm Trunk which will have the shape of the palm tree and five areas: North Island, South Island, Central  Island, Al Mamzar Island and Deira Island. It will be handled in two phases. Phase one Deira Extension will cover 511 hectares. The second phase is called The Palm Deira.
Update: Designs are under review and will be completed by December 2008. Construction work will start by ZSML Construction Company.

Saadiyat Island Development – Masterplan
Owner: Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC)
Budget: $22.915 billion
Scope of work:  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 an area of approximately 27 sq km and will house about 150,000 people. The project components will include a museum, a concert hall and a maritime history centre (Black Pearls), three harbours and a central park (Al-Marina), a golf course, a 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 & The Wetlands). The development will cover area of approximately 1,800 hectares.
Update: Arabtec Construction has been selected as the preferred bidder for the contract to build Saadiyat Resort on the North Beach of Saadiyat island in Abu Dhabi.

La Ville Contemporaire Development – Lagoon Project (formerly Seven Pearls) – Masterplan
Owner: Sama Dubai
Budget: $17.711 billion
Scope of work:  The project will involve the development of canals and waterways that will create seven vibrant districts: Al Dana, Al Sedaifa, Al Jiwin, Al Naama, Al Lulu, Al Hassabi and Dubai Opera House comprise, that will combine residential units, commercial facilities, juxtaposed with retail, leisure and cultural avenues. The Project, forming part of the Lagoon development within the La Ville Contemporaire scheme, will also include the associated infrastructure facilities, five-star hotels and shopping malls. The development will be situated on the banks of the Dubai Creek in the Ras Al Khor/Nad Al Hammar area and will cover an area of approximately 70 million sq ft.
Update: National Bonds Corporation has been signed an agreement with Deyaar Development to develop and manage Flamingo Creek within the Lagoon development scheme.

Al-Raha Beach Complex – Masterplan
Owner: Aldar Properties
Budget: $13.17 billion
Scope of work:  The project will involve the construction of another mixed-use hospitality development within Abu Dhabi with a built-up area of 12 million sq m. The development will involve 6.8 million sq m of reclaimed land and will include 50 high-rise and a number of low-rise buildings that will house approximately 120,000 people. Water-taxis will provide access to Abu Dhabi city centre and Saadiyat Island.
Update: Aldar Properties has signed an agreement with Barclays Bank to provide financial and services benefit to customers or investors on Al-Raha Beach Complex.

Downtown Jebel Ali – Masterplan
Owner: Limitless
Budget: $12 billion
Scope of work:  The 70 million sq ft project covers an area of 200 hectares along an 11 km stretch of Sheikh Zayed Road between the Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai Waterfront and Dubai Techno-Park. It will consist of four quarters – East, East Central, West Central and West Quarters, each providing a complete range of services for the businesses, residents and retailers who will make Downtown Jebel Ali their home. Each quarter has three individual districts – the Urban Centre, the Trellis and Medina Districts, creating a vibrant blend of business, residential, shopping, and dining and entertainment facilities and will include a total of 326 buildings, of which 237 will be residential and 89 will be commercial.
Update: Limitless has been invited contractors to bids for a contract to build Central Plaza at Downtown Jebel Ali.

Port Rashid Redevelopment – Dubai – Masterplan
Owner: Nakheel
Budget: $12 billion
Scope of work:  The project calls for the design and construction of a mixed-use waterfront development which will include the expansion of the existing Port Rashid land area through reclamation of an area of 73 million sq ft. The development will also include residential and commercial towers, a yacht harbour, sports and entertainment facilities and maritime museum.
Update: Sources indicated that, Azizi Investments has announced plans to develop a mixed-use tower at Port Rashid Redevelopment in Dubai.

Al Reem Island Development (Abu Shuoom Island Development – Emirates Pearl) – Shams – Masterplan
Owner: Sorouh Real Estate
Budget: $6.432 billion
Scope of work:  Planned to be developed in phases, the project will involve the construction of 22,000 residential units, hotels, schools, hospitals, health clinics, mosques, offices and other leisure and entertainment facilities. It will also include a central park covering 1 million sq ft, 4 km of water canals and related infrastructure facilities. It is estimated that the project will house around 100,000 people over a total area of 1.32 million sqm and will involve more than 100 buildings, ranging from three to 70 storeys.
Update: Sources indicated that Mayadeen Gulf Real Estate has signed five contracts for Dari Towers at Shams on Al Reem Island. Cansult Maunsell has been appointed as project manager and Beijing Construction Engineering Group as main construction contractor.

La Ville Contemporaire Development – Business Bay – Masterplan
Owner: Sama Dubai
Budget: $6 billion
Scope of work:  The project, covering an area of 64 million sq ft, will encompass the extension of the Dubai Creek and feature a new business and commercial unit including tower buildings for offices and residential facilities as well as a well-planned road network. The main objective of the project will be to attract international companies to establish their local, regional and international headquarters in the region. It will extend from Ras Al Khor to the Burj Dubai region on Sheikh Zayed Road.
Update: Al Habtoor STFA Soil Group has been appointed as the enabling contractor. Work has started and is expected to be completed by December 2008.

Dubailand – Arjan Project – Masterplan
Owner: Mizin
Budget: $5.45 billion
Scope of work:  The project will involve the construction of a mixed-use development to accommodate more than 67,000 residents and will comprise medium-rise commercial, residential, retail and hospitality developments. It will include 100 residential complexes and six iconic office towers over an area of approximately 11 million sq ft located between Emirates Road to its south and Umm Suqeim road to the east at the Dubailand interchange.
Update: Sources indicated that, International Foundation Group has been appointed as the piling contractor, and has started working on the site.

Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) Redevelopment Scheme – Masterplan
Owner: Dubai World Trade Centre
Budget: $4.4 billion
Scope of work:  The project will involve the redevelopment of the existing Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) site and entail the demolition of some of the current facilities including the old Trade Centre, Residences and the Sheikh Rashid Hall, the largest convention centre of the UAE. The project will also involve the construction of approximately 40 high-rise buildings including hotels, exhibition halls, a convention centre, residential apartments, shopping and retail facilities, office buildings as well as car parking space and the Landmark Tower, that will be situated close to the Emirates Towers on Sheikh Zayed Road. The complex is to be built in two phases.
Update: Bids have been submitted for main construction package on One Zaabeel project. The bidders are Arabian Construction Company (ACC), and China State Construction Engineering Company (CSHK).

Dubai World Central Project – International Humanitarian City (IHC) – Masterplan
Owner: Engineer’s Office
Budget: $3 billion
Scope of work:  The project calls for the design and construction of International Humanitarian City project within the Dubai World Central (Jebel Ali Airport City) development scheme, comprising 28 warehouses, seven offices buildings and a UN building.
Update: Negotiations with a number of companies are being held and an award is expected by next month.

Meydan City – Horse Racing City – Masterplan
Owner: Meydan
Budget: $2.1 billion
Scope of work:  The 76 million sq ft project will be developed around the existing racecourse at Nad Al Sheba and extend to the Dubai Country Club area in Aweer. The horse city will include dirt and turf racetrack, new stables and training tracks, receiving barns and a Godolphin gallery and museum. It includes a world-class hotel, more than 10 restaurants, the relocation of Godolphin Gallery, the home of Dubai Racing Club, a museum, as well as covered car-parking facility for 10,000 and a 4 km canal which will run from Dubai Creek to the racecourse. The two tracks will comprise a 1,750 m dirt and 2,400 turf course.
Update: Construction work has been started on the business park in Meydan development scheme.

Dubailand – Tijara Town – Masterplan
Owner: Dubai Properties
Budget: $2 billion
Scope of work:  The project involves the construction of 51 mixed-use units targeting small and medium enterprises with a development area of 77,000 sq ft within Dubailand. The project includes: offices, showrooms, warehouses, and apartments in low to medium-rise buildings as well as two four-star hotels, a 24-hour coffee shop and restaurants.
Update: Allied Consultants has been awarded the contract for the design and supervision of construction of a 7 km chilled water distribution piping network at the project.

Dubailand – Attractions and Experience World – Aqua Dunya Theme Park Resort – Masterplan
Owner: Al Sharq Development
Budget: $1.6 billion
Scope of work:  The project will involve the construction of a new theme park resort that will form part of the Dubailand development scheme. It will include the Desert Pearl Hotel (the largest cruise ship in the world containing a theme park and 330-room hotel), a suq and port district, a conference centre, 170 vacation apartments and 3,400 residential apartments over an area of 8 million sq ft. The Desert Pearl will be 407 m long and 95 m in height from the water to the top of its mast. Future development will also include an adventure reef theme park, an additional two themed hotels, a nine-hole golf course and the expansion of the existing theme park.
Update: Concept designs are still in progress and expected to complete by December 2008.

Dubailand – Downtown – City of Arabia – Elite Towers – Masterplan
Owner: I & M Galadari Group
Budget: $1.525 billion
Scope of work:  The package will involve the construction of 34 residential, commercial and mixed-use towers. It will include four 60-storey building (providing offices and serviced apartments including a hotel); twenty 45-storey building (providing mixed-use facilities such as residential and commercial space with a maximum of 240 apartments) as well as ten 30-storey buildings (providing residential apartments, with a maximum of 200 apartments). Each building will have three floors of car parking facilities. The City of Arabia in Dubailand will be located adjacent to Global Village opposite Emirates Road in Dubai.
Update: Simplex Infrastructures has been awarded a $360 million contract to build G-Emporium at the City of Arabia project. Construction work has been started and is expected to be completed by 2010.

Marjan Island Development – Ras al Khaimah – Masterplan
Owner: Rakeen Development
Budget: $1.495 billion
Scope of work:  The project will involve the construction of 10 hotels, residential apartments, townhouses, commercial facilities, a central lagoon, a marina and other luxury villas on reclaimed land extending 2 km into the Gulf. The project, with a built-up area of 17.2 million sq ft, will be developed on the five islands.
Update: Construction Technology Contracting has been awarded $272 million contract to build Pacific Development at Marjan Island Development in Ras Al Khaimah. Construction is expected to be completed by 2011.

Eye of Ajman Community Development
Owner: Bonyan International Investment Group
Budget: $953 million
Scope of work:  The project, covering an area of 6.27million sq ft, will involve the construction of 109 mixed-use plots located along Emirates Road in the Al Hamidiyah area. It will comprise residential and commercial area, hotels, offices, mosque, car park and a health club.
Update: Sources indicated that infrastructure work will be completed by 2010.

Al Furjan Development – Phase One
Owner: Nakheel
Budget: $817 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for the design and construction of 1,500 villas and associated facilities in the Jebel Ali area within Al Furjan Development.
Update: Sources indicated that construction work has started and is expected to be completed by the third-quarter of 2010.

Building Materials City (BMC) – Masterplan
Owner: Manazel Real Estate Company
Budget: $815 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for the design and construction of ‘Building Materials City’ with a total area of 23 hectares to host developers, engineering and consultancy firms, interior decoration firms and associated companies. The project will be divided into zones: Commercial Zone: 17 office towers, each equipped with the latest technologies and conveniences to facilitate business. A huge, 100,000 sq m shopping centre will be built in Building Materials City (BMC). The ground floor will accommodate a large hypermarket and a variety of retail shops to cater to the needs of both the commercial and residential population of the development. The first floor will accommodate building materials retailers and a part of regular retail shops (fashions, gifts, etc). The second floor will be completely for materials shops and a food court. There will also be a temporary exhibition centre and a corner for the building materials exchange in that floor. A total of 32 residential towers will be built throughout the development.
Update: Bids have been submitted from four companies for $463 million contracts to design and build office buildings at Building Materials City. The bidders are a joint venture of Fibrex and Thinet Emirates, Dhabi Contracting, Al Fara’a Group, and United Engineering Construction (Unec).

Awali City Development – Masterplan
Owner: Awali Real Estate Investments
Budget: $800 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for the design and construction of 15 residential and commercial towers located at Emirates Road in Ajman. The 33 million sq ft development will include 11 32-storey towers and four 25-storey buildings.
Update: Awali Real Estate Investments has announced plans to develop the mixed-use development in Ajman.

The Palm Jumeirah Development – The Palm Trump International Hotel & Tower
Owner: Nakheel Hotel & Resorts – The Trump Organization
Budget: $790 million
Scope of work:  The project will involve the construction of two buildings, 62 and 54 storeys respectively, which will form a part of the Palm Jumeirah development in Dubai. The scope of work also includes a nine-storey podium. The buildings will feature mixed-use facilities including 300 luxury hotel rooms and 360 freehold residential apartments as well as other leisure and entertainment components. Situated on the trunk of Palm Jumeirah, next to the Golden Mile development, the project has replaced the Pinnacle Tower project on the palm. It will provide an observatory viewing gallery, five-star restaurants (located at the apex of the building) and several sky gardens.
Update: Al-Habtoor Engineering Enterprises and Murray & Roberts Contractors have signed an agreement with Tekla Middle East to provide Tekla structures BIM (Building Information Modeling) software licenses for the project.

Dubai World Central Project – International Humanitarian City (IHC) – Phase One
Owner: Engineer’s Office
Budget: $750 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for the design and construction of Phase One of the International Humanitarian City project within the Dubai World Central (formerly Jebel Ali Airport City) development scheme. The project will comprise five warehouses with a built-up area of 31,000 sq m and a six-storey UN office building with a total built-up area of 12,500 sq m complete with the associated external works.
Update: Negotiations with a number of companies are being held and an award is expected next month. Construction work is going well according to schedule. Hand over will be by end of 2009.

Park View Development – Masterplan
Owner: ABH Property
Budget: $679 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for the design and construction of the Park View Development located on the Emirates Road adjacent to Emirates City. It will include sports facilities, open green areas, a shaded promenade, a mosque, multiple water features, a children’s adventure play ground and public BBQ facilities.
Update: Fortune Group has announced plans to develop Fortune Heights, a mixed-use complex at Park View Development in Ajman. Construction is expected to be completed by 2010.

Culture Village Project (formerly Arabian Bays) – Sungwon Project
Owner: Sungwon Corporation
Budget: $550 million
Scope of work:  The project will involve the construction of 195 residential building each consisting of 24 storeys including, basement levels, seven commercial and retail units, sky fitness view, sky view garden and a swimming pool in the podium. It will form a part of the Culture Village development scheme in Dubai.
Update: Construction work has been started and is expected to be completed by 2010.

Zabeel Corporate Park – Al Jadaf area
Owner: Rasis Developers
Budget: $550 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for the design and construction of a mixed-use development located at Al Jadaf area in Dubai. The 2.3 million sq m development will comprise five mid-rise offices buildings and a 320 room five-star hotel with 120-serviced apartments and will provide 4,300 parking spaces and the associates facilities.
Update: Construction work has been started and is expected to be completed by mid of 2010.

Mirdiff Villas Development Scheme – Mirdiff Hills
Owner: Dubai Investments Real Estate Company
Budget: $543 million
Scope of work:  The project, with a total built-up area of 2.7 million sq ft, calls for the design and construction of a mixed-use development located at Mirdiff area in Dubai. It will comprise 680 apartments, 380 offices and 129 retail outlets as well as associated facilities such as a swimming pool, clubhouse, internet facility, coffee shop and children play area.
Update: Sources indicated that construction work has started and is expected to be completed by 2010.

MAF – Mirdiff City Centre
Owner: Majid Al Futtaim Group of Companies
Budget: $518 million
Scope of work:  The project will involve the construction of a new shopping mall that will be situated on a plot on the intersection of Emirates Road and Tripoli Street in Mirdiff district. The total development area of 500,000 sq m mall includes a 183,400 sq m of gross leasable area, 430 retail outlets, eight anchor stores, a 14-screen multiplex cinema and 60 multi-cuisine restaurants and cafes in two food courts.
Update: Construction work is going well according to schedule. Hand over will be by the end of 2009.

Hydra Village – Abu Dhabi – Masterplan
Owner: Hydra Properties
Budget: $500 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for the design and construction of Hydra Village, the first compound community being created on Smart City concept and with a clear focus on environmental conservation. This gated community, situated at the entrance of Abu Dhabi, combines the features of a small-scale self-sustained city and
 the comfort derived from an uptown community. The 10 million sq m project will involve the construction of low-rise and high-rise buildings, townhouses, luxurious apartments, residential and commercial buildings, shopping outlets, mosques, a hospital, a five-star hotel, and about 2,600 villas. Its eco-friendly features include built-in insulation, the use of energy saving electrical fitments and weather-stripping. The village will also have luxurious systems that will include Wwater systems-pools, Jacuzzi, sprinkler systems audio-video systems in the entire home, centralised and de-centralised controls, consoles, touch screens, PDA, telephone access, PC access.
Update: Hydra Properties has been invited contractors to bids early last month for a contract to build 448 villas at Hydra Village.

Building Materials City (BMC) – Office Buildings
Owner: Manazel Real Estate Company
Budget: $463 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for the design and construction of 17, 20-storey office buildings that will be built in Building Materials City (BMC). The will offer a built-up area of 440,000 sq m and will comprise four-storey podium with an built-up area of 240,000 sq m.
Update: Bids have been submitted from four companies for $ 463 million contract to design and build office buildings at Building Materials City (BMC). The bidders are joint venture of Fibrex and Thinet Emirates, Dhabi Contracting, Al Fara’a Group, and United Engineering Construction (Unec).

Dubai Waterfront Development – Dream Harbour
Owner: Desert Dream Real Estate & Investments
Budget: $461 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for the design and construction of 47-storey residential tower and associated facilities at Dubai Waterfront Development scheme.
Update: Desert Dream Real Estate & Investments has announced plans to develop Dream Harbour.

Dubai World Central Project – Dubai Exhibitions City
Owner: Dubai Department of Civil Aviation
Budget: $409 million
Scope of work:  The project will involve the construction of 19 exhibition and conference halls covering an area of 250,000 sq m as well as residential and commercial buildings and three, four and five-star hotels which will offer 7.500 rooms. The development covering a total area of 300 hectares will form a part of the Dubai World Central (Jebel Ali Airport City) scheme.
Update: Construction work started in April 2008 and is expected to be completed by October 2010.

Dubailand – Skycourts
Owner: National Bonds Corporation
Budget: $409 million
Scope of work:  The project in the Dubailand Residential Complex involves the construction of a six residential towers with 2,300 apartments ranging from studios to two bedroom apartments as well as a health club, swimming pools, rooftop gardens, cafes and shops.
Update: National Bonds Corporation has signed an agreement with Deyaar Development to develop and manage Skycourts project at Dubailand development scheme.

Saadiyat Island Development – North Beach – Saadiyat Resort
Owner: Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC)
Budget: $409 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for the design and construction of two adjacent sites – the first site will comprise the main 380-room hotel, seven residential buildings with 250 apartments, parking areas and 32 villas, while the second site will have 75 luxury villas with a clubhouse and sports facilities. The project will provide a total built-up area of 200,000 sq m.
Update: Arabtec Construction has been selected as the preferred bidder for the contract to build Saadiyat Resort on the North Beach of Saadiyat island.

La Ville Contemporaire Development – Business Bay – The Bristol Twin Towers
Owner: Deyaar Developments
Budget: $408 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for the design and construction of two 29-storey residential and commercial towers called Bristol Residency and Bristol Executive with a built up area of 623,680 sq ft which will form a part of Business Bay Development scheme. Bristol Residency comprises studio, one and three-bedrooms apartments while Bristol Executive will comprise modern office spaces. The project will include 1,300 parking units.
Update: Middle East Foundations Group is currently carrying out the enabling and mobilisation works.

Meydan City – Horse Racing City – Business Park
Owner: Meydan
Budget: $408 million
Scope of work:  The project, which will have a built-up area of 350,000 sq m, calls for the design and construction of 18 office buildings ranging from four to13 storeys that will form a part of Meydan City development scheme in the Nad Al Sheba area in Dubai. 
Update: Construction work has been started.

La Ville Contemporaire Development – Business Bay – Starhill Towers & Gallery
Owner: ETA Star Property Developer
Budget: $407 million
Scope of work:  The 64 million sq ft project calls for the design and construction of two 31 and 35 storeys mixed-use towers located within Business Bay development scheme. Office units will range from 924 sq ft to 1,645 sq ft. The development will include a luxury hotel (St Regis Hotel & Residences) with 220-room and 80 residences.
Update: ETA Star Property Developer has been signed an agreement with Starwood Hotels to operate St Regis Hotel & Residences which will form a part of Starhill Towers and Gallery at Business Bay development. Construction is expected to be completed by 2012.

Al-Reem Island Development (Abu Shuoom Island Development – Emirates Pearl) – City of Lights – Masterplan
Owner: Tamouh Investments
Budget: $400 million
Scope of work:  The project, part of Al-Reem Island Development in Abu Dhabi ,calls for the design and construction of residential, commercial, retail buildings, as well as hotels, a Mediterranean-style resort and a shopping mall. All buildings within the 101-acre development will have a waterfront.
Update: Foundation work has been completed and main construction work will be started by Tafsir Contracting Company for completion by 2011.

Emirates City Development – Jawahir Al Emarat
Owner: BSEL Infrastructure Realty Limited
Budget: $400 million
Scope of work:  The project calls for the design and construction of seven towers named BSEL Pearl, Fayrooz, Kahraman, Almas, Emerald, Sapphire and Ruby, each rising up to 50 floors. Each building will have the ground floor as a showroom, six-level car parking, 40 floors of residential apartments and a health club on 48th level and a helipad on 49th level. The towers will offer a total of 5,000 apartments. Phase One involving two plots has a total development area of 2,250,000 sq ft.
Update: Sources indicate that Dubai Towers General Contracting has invited companies to tender for the aluminium and glass contract.