AL HILAL Bank, a progressive Islamic bank, held a groundbreaking ceremony last month for its flagship commercial development located at the heart of the Sowwah Island mixed-use development in Abu Dhabi.

The 120-m-high tower will offer efficient, Class A office space to leading national and global firms.

Sowwah Island and adjacent edges of Al Mina, Al Reem and the Abu Dhabi Islands are designated as Abu Dhabi City’s Central Business District under the Capital 2030 urban structure framework plan.

Al Hilal’s tower will thus be strategically positioned at the centre of the capital’s downtown district, upcoming developments at Al Reem Island and Mina Zayed, and the new cultural district on Saadiyat Island.

The office tower has direct access to three main island roads and the upcoming Central Park, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange.

The new tower will be serviced by a state-of-the-art, multi-tiered transportation infrastructure which will include a planned Light Rail station. It will include over 1,000 parking spaces, a high-class retail component at the ground floor and 25 office levels.

The building comprises 34,000 sq m of office space and 700 sq m of retail area available for leasing.

Floor plate efficiencies reach the high 80s and the development complies with the Estidama Pearl Rating System requirements. Completion is scheduled for the last quarter of 2013.