THE developer of the Dubai Pearl mega project will be awarding six subcontracts in key categories at the end of the third quarter with a view to completing most of the project by 2012.

Pearl Dubai, a consortium of investors led by the UAE’s Al Fahim Group, will appoint the subcontractors in categories such as MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing), facade and lifts.
About five to six contractors in each category will be named for this 20-million-sq-ft integrated development, which is one of the most sophisticated projects Dubai has ever seen. Successful bidders will be announced by October.
Main contractor Al Habtoor Leighton will be heavily involved in deciding who wins the subcontracts with choices favouring those firms who have already bid and pre-qualified for work on the development, and who will later be approved by the client.
The project is a mixed-use, sustainable development consisting of several smaller podium buildings and four towers, joined together by a single ‘sky palace’ component at the 72nd and 73rd levels. The development will provide a mixture of residential and office space for thousands of people.
Cantilever has already been chosen to supply its jump form system for the formwork on the project, and VSL has been signed up to lift the pre-constructed ‘sky palace’ from the podium level to the top of the towers.
Dubai Pearl is due to be delivered in three phases over the next four years.