US-based Gensler Architecture, Design & Planning Worldwide has been appointed by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) to carry out the design of its comprehensive master plan.

Together with Dubai’s World Trade Centre, Convention Centre and the Emirates Towers, this project – which combines clusters of mixed-use office, retail, restaurant, entertainment and residential developments – will create a new central business district for the long-term growth of the city, says a spokesman for the company.
The master plan by Gensler envisages the creation of several mixed-use districts, with the DIFC’s headquarters ‘Gate’ building – designed by Christopher Johnson, managing partner of Gensler’s UK office – acting as a focal point for the overall scheme. Sitting on an axis with the Emirates Towers and the World Trade Centre, the building creates a dialogue with these two Dubai landmarks.
The DIFC’s self-contained location has been planned and designed to provide maximum convenience for anyone seeking to live, work and enjoy their home and leisure time at one strategic location, says the spokesman.
The inclusion of a museum, an art gallery and a performing arts centre will add to its attraction as a resort destination. People will be able to walk from one part of the city complex to another in a temperature-controlled environment, and on the outer perimeter, there will be an automated transit system circumnavigating the entire district.
The master plan also allows for future public transport provision, he says.
Situated between the financial centres of Europe and Asia, the DIFC is set to become a leading financial centre in the tradition of those in New York, London and Hong Kong. The Deutsche Bank, Standard Chartered, Alliannz and Julius Baer have already applied and another 30 corporations are currently negotiating with the DIFC. The first phase of the project will be operational next year.
“Having being active in Qatar, Kuwait, Dubai, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, I can safely say the region hosts some of Gensler’s most exciting projects. With regards to the DIFC more specifically, we have seen incredible foresight in the desire to establish Dubai as a leading financial centre and we are delighted to be part of this vision,” says Johnson.
The firm’s recent experience in the Middle East includes the city master plan for Aqaba in Jordan, the interior design of the headquarters of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and that of the Gulf Investment Group in Kuwait, the redevelopment of office space for the Mashreq Bank and the Al Khafji master plan in Saudi Arabia.