Dubai: Aldar Properties has awarded its subsidiary Aldar/Laing O'Rourke the contract to construct its new headquarters.
Aldar, Abu Dhabi's first and fully integrated development company, yesterday said its headquarters will be the first spherical building in the Middle East, built to satisfy the most demanding international business elite.
The futuristic aluminium and glass exterior, underground parking, turnstile security, marble floors and walls and will ensure this is a commercial building fit for 21st century Arabia. It will be a Category A international office.
The company has begun construction of the 51,000 square metres of commercial office space on its mixed-use waterfront project, Al Raha Beach.
"Aldar Properties will establish its new headquarter facility within this commercial space," a company statement said.
Architects MZ & Partners conceptualised the stunning round design and Arup have been appointed as the lead consultants and engineers.
With the building rising approximately 110 metres, Aldar will occupy approximately 20 per cent of it and is expecting to lease the rest to multinational corporations looking for prestigious office space in Abu Dhabi.
Particularly impressive and efficient is the lift system: the building will contain 12 lifts plus two service lifts, fitted with the latest hi-tech automated destination control elevators.
"It is important that Aldar is the benchmark for quality commercial space in Abu Dhabi and the wider region. Al Raha Beach is the most extensive of projects and is the ultimate location for our offices and for our future growth," said Ronald Barrott, CEO, Aldar Properties.
Michael Cox, Al Raha Beach project director, said: "The geometric shape of the building symbolises unity, stability, rationality and modernity beyond the structure of the building.
"As well as providing Aldar with a top-flight headquarters, we also look forward to welcoming other companies who are seeking offices built to high international standards."
Piling work has already been completed at the site, and is expected to be complete in 2009.
The building will have a gross floor area of 61,900 square metres and a net area of 51,361 square metres and will form an integral part of the Al Dana business precinct, at Al Raha Beach. The building is due for completion in end-2009.
Despite its round shape, the building will boast high floor use efficiency at 78 per cent. The average footplate per floor is 1,600 square metres, going up to 2,700 square metres from the ninth to the 13th floor.
Rentable area ranges from 1,600 square metres to 2,774 square metres per floor, with up to approximately 41,000 square metres available to lease.
Aldar's signature project, the Al Raha Beach development will comprise offices, hotels, residential and retail space, all encircling a large public marina.
