The new Dubai headquarters for the United Arab Shipping Company (UASC), one of the city's latest landmarks, is set to be officially opened this month (mid-September).

Designed to resemble a ship docking at the port, the building is located within close proximity to the Deira City Centre shopping mall, a few minutes' drive from Dubai International Airport.

The Dh50 million ($13.6 million) building has been designed by Norr Group of Consultants. Union Properties was the project manager and Al Habtoor Engineering, the main contractor for the construction of the complex.

Describing the project, Elias Adas, project manager for Union Properties, says: "The building comprises two basement levels, ground plus 10 storeys and has been fashioned to resemble a ship on the left and of a port on the right.

"The building has a three-storey-high atrium. On one side of the atrium, a 60 sq m ceramic mural - which depicts the Gulf's history and the growth of UASC alongside the city of Dubai - has been installed."

The two basement floors are for parking and can together accommodate 73 cars. The basements also comprise the mechanical rooms and storage areas. The building rises to a height of 45 m and has a total built-up area of 10,885 sq m. UASC will occupy the ground to sixth as well as the tenth floors. Floor levels 7 to 9 will be leased out with the total leasable areas on these levels being around 1,800 sq m. There are two retail areas on the ground floor spreading over a total area of 127 sq m. Three elevators service the building from the lower basement up to the 10th floor.

"The building consists of a core area, which includes two lobbies, three lifts and washrooms for common use and an additional prayer room with an ablution area," says Adas.

''External cladding is a combination of curtain-wall glazing and aluminium sheets. The project features a special wave-shaped canopy, made of steel and aluminium, in front of the building,'' says Mohammed Al Ridha, engineer, Union Properties.

One of the unique features of the building is that the columns are not straight - they are inclined to give the shape of the ship, he points out.

The building has an access control system for the parking area, closed circuit TV (CCTV) cameras and a public address system for the whole complex. A building management system (BMS) is provided to control the key systems such as the mechanical and electrical (M&E) services.

The project was divided into two packages. The first package was for shoring and piling works and was completed in January last year. The second package entailed construction of the building and was executed by Al Habtoor Engineering Enterprises Company. Construction work on the project was completed in March this year.

The UASC offices (excluding the 10th floor) are all carpeted and feature top-class finishes such as high-quality wallpaper, demountable partitions and metal ceilings. The entrance and lift lobbies on the ground floor have marble/granite floors; glass/wood panels and marble-clad walls while the ceilings comprise gypsum board/stainless steel panels.

The 10th floor or the executive floor has marble flooring with special carpets, walls have wooden panelling and the ceiling is a combination of wood and glass with special lighting. The floor also has a conference room fully equipped with state-of-the-art audio/video equipment. All the furniture on the executive floor has been custom-made with high-quality materials.

Main subcontractors on the project were Thomas Bennett for aluminium glazing and curtain-walling; Techno Lift for lifts; Al Habtoor Marbles - marble and granite; Haroon Company - ironmongery; Airmech - mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) works; and Unimix - readymix concrete.

Based in Kuwait, UASC is the largest shipping line in the Middle East, and was established in 1976 by the governments of the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Iraq.

Union Properties was established in 1987 and has, since inception, been committed to developing sound property opportunities. The company says it is poised for expansion through increased acquisition, the development of its turnkey range of premium real estate services, and as a result of its special alliances with members of the Emirates Bank Group and with other leading property services organisations.

"The company continues to anticipate and respond keenly to market trends, inviting independent quotations for the highest standards of design and construction, while maintaining its reputation for environmental sensitivity," says a company spokesman. "Furthermore Union Properties' ability to protect its clients' investments through superior property management has put the company ahead of its competitors."

Some of the projects being developed by Union Properties include the Dh650 million Green Community development and a 50-storey residential tower adjacent to the Emirates Towers.