With projects worth an estimated Dh50 billion ($13.62 billion) under various stages of implementation, Sorouh Real Estate is pressing ahead with two mega developments: the Al Nagfa Hotel and Mall in Al Ain and the Dh3.5 billion Saraya development on the Abu Dhabi Corniche.

Sorouh has just awarded the design contract for the Al Nagfa Hotel and Mall while shortlisting six contractors for the infrastructure work on the Saraya development.
The design contract of the Al Nagfa project has been given to a team led by Ewan Architectural and Engineering Consultancy. The Al Nagfa hotel will boast 160 rooms ranging from standard to executive and ambassador suites. An additional 70 chalets will be conveniently located close to the pool and water features and have been designed so that several chalets can be joined internally to become a large family chalet.
Built at the top of the Al Nagfa hill, guests can expect uninterrupted views of the specially-designed landscape and beyond. The hotel will offer a wide range of facilities including an indoor and outdoor spa, gymnasium, infinity pool, a kids club, tennis courts as well as a restaurant with stunning views across Al Ain.
The mall, meanwhile, will be a major shopping and leisure destination in Al Ain. With 500,000 sq ft of retail and entertainment space spread across four levels, it will house a multi-screen cinema, restaurants, supermarket and food court and a traditional suq-inspired shopping area.
Sorouh has already developed the Al Oyoun Village in Al Nagfa area.
Mounir Haidar, CEO of Sorouh comments: “We are committed to developing this project in keeping with both the natural landscape and the traditional architectural language of the existing Al Oyoun Village.”
“Sorouh and Ewan worked successfully together on Al Oyoun Village and we are confident they understand our vision and are committed to completing this project in a timely fashion and to the highest possible standards,” he adds.
Meanwhile, the six companies shortlisted to bid for the Saraya infrastructure package include Al Jaber Transport and General Contracting Establishment, Saif Bin Darwish, Mohamed Abdulmohsin Al Kharafi and Sons, Al Geemi and Partners Contracting Company, Copri Construction Enterprises Establishment and Orascom Contracting Industries – Fujairah.
Saraya Abu Dhabi will consist of 28 mid- and high-rise residential and commercial towers ranging from 10 to 40 storeys high, as well as a hotel with serviced apartments. Spread over a vast waterside site covering 125,000 sq m, the development will enhance the visual appeal of the Corniche.
This luxurious mixed-use development was masterplanned by PTW Architects of Australia. The infrastructure and conceptual and detailed designs of the landscaping works will be prepared by Rafik El Khoury and Partners (UAE) in collaboration with Cansult Maunsell (UAE) and Site Image.
“Saraya Abu Dhabi is planned to be one of the most desirable mixed-use developments in the capital. With a masterplan featuring water current themes, the buildings and landscape will flow as a single unified design,” says Dr Adnan Sahli, executive director of projects for Sorouh.
Work on Saraya Abu Dhabi is planned to commence by the end of this year. The 28 residential and commercial towers will be constructed over two phases the first being completed in 2010 and the second in 2013.
“We selected PTW to masterplan this project because of their outstanding international reputation for delivering high-quality design and planning solutions for waterfront property, their experience in designing projects featuring environmentally sustainable architecture and their track record in masterplanning buildings for balanced commercial, cultural and public uses,” Sahli adds.
Established in 2005, Abu Dhabi-based Sorouh’s current projects include the Gate District, a cluster of eight towers located at the entrance to Shams, Abu Dhabi; the Lulu Island project opposite the Abu Dhabi Corniche, the Dh729 million Abu Dhabi Golf Gardens development overlooking the Abu Dhabi Champion-ship Course, the Abu Dhabi Aviation Authority residential project, Al-Shamkha national housing project, the Tala Tower and Sas Al Nakhl (Phase 2).
During the first quarter of this year, Sorouh awarded construction contracts valued at over Dh3.3 billion. These included the main construction contract at Golf Gardens and major contracts for bridge construction and for the marina and sea wall at Shams Abu Dhabi (see separate report)
The company remains confident that projects such as Sky Tower, Golf Gardens and Shams Abu Dhabi will be completed on time.
“We have chosen to work with partners who share our commitment to quality and to timely delivery,” says Haidar. “This gives us great confidence that we'll meet our commitments. Some of the world's best architects and engineers have joined forces with us to create inspiring yet practical living spaces that truly bring life in perfect balance.”