Dubai: Dubai International Real Estate (DIRE) has awarded a Dh480 million contract to Habtoor Leighton Group (HLG) for construction package No 7 of the Jewel of the Creek — a Dh3 billion mixed-use development on the banks of Dubai Creek next to Al Maktoum Bridge.
HLG's contract involves the construction and completion of the substructure works for four basement levels and ground floor slabs on the waterside site between Al Maktoum Bridge, Baniyas Road and the Floating Bridge. The plot area is 123,955 square metres.
When complete it will be a multi-use development which includes four- and five-star hotels, furnished service apartments, a convention centre, ballroom, office buildings, residential buildings, a marina and landscaping.
Scope of work
The site has already been fully excavated and piled and HLG's scope of work includes construction of all rafts and four-level basement slabs, construction of the ground floor slab, embedded MEP works (first fix); miscellaneous earthworks, re-anchoring of diaphragm walls, pile cutting and trimming, waterproofing works and reinforced concrete works.
The signing of the project was attended by Khalil Al Sayegh of DIRE, Riad T. Sadik and Laurie Voyer of HLG, and representatives of the Kling Consult and Kieferle Partnership.
Al Sayegh said that the project will set a benchmark for future DIRE developments and that it will be one of the much sought after addresses in Dubai.
Landmark development
Construction has already begun and completion is expected in August next year.
Sadik said, "We are confident that this landmark development will be a great success."
New research states that 2012 will see $15.068 billion worth of contracts awarded in the UAE this year, an increase of 26.57 per cent over last year. Construction officials were upbeat about the increased number of contracts.
"This year, we see some movements in the construction sector and expect better business than the last two years," Dr J.R. Gangaramani, chairman of Al Faraa'a Construction Group, told Gulf News.
"In 2010 a large number of projects remained on hold. Last year, some of the jobs were invited for bids but contracts were not awarded. This year, contracts are coming."
Vibrant urban centre
The objective of the Jewel of the Creek development is to transform the location into a vibrant urban centre and a prominent landmark in the heart of Dubai.
The vision is to create a project of strong identification, a complex as a unit unparalleled along the Creek with functions linked to each other, yet each part of the development with its own expression and values. The project and its onsite infrastructure are designed by the joint venture partnership of Kieferle & Partner and Kling Consult.
Lead consultant for the project with responsibility for all specialist sub-consultants is the Dubai branch of Kling Consult.
Voyer said: "The award of the project demonstrates that HLG has an established reputation and is a preferred contractor by major clients in the Dubai market."
