Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) has added 16 new global brands to its hospitality portfolio, bringing the total to 32 hotel management agreements, which includes some of the world’s most well-known and prestigious hotel brands.

In a statement, DGDA said that the first hotel is planned for 2023 and highlighted the signing of the new brands as testament to the pace of development at Diriyah. The company stated that Diriyah will be the first giga-project in the world to simultaneously open, ground-break and announce world class assets every year from 2022 until completion.

To this end, Diriyah has just announced the opening of two of its most significant locations: At-Turaif, the UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the country’s most important historical sites and a symbol of Saudi identity, as well as Bujairi Terrace, the highly anticipated premium dining destination overlooking At-Turaif, the statement added.

In early May 2022, the DGDA said it would transform Wadi Hanifah into a nature-focused getaway and, in early June 2022, Diriyah Gate and Saudi’s OSP inked a MoU to use sustainable polymer construction materials.

Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of DGDA stated: “We are excited to further Diriyah’s position as Saudi Arabia’s historical and cultural epicenter by bringing international hoteliers to operate within Diriyah. Each and every hotel brand offers a special, distinctive experience for visitors, all united by a shared promise to provide a unique set of high-quality services measured to global standards for all of Diriyah’s guests.”

“The opening of these hotels signifies our ongoing promise to transform Diriyah into one of the greatest gathering places in the world, welcoming visitors from around the world into the Kingdom, in line with Vision 2030’s aims and objectives.”

The 16 hotel brands slated to open will be situated across two of DGDA’s masterplan areas – Diriyah and Wadi Safar. The infrastructure of Diriyah’s first phase of hotel construction will feature an interpretation of the local landscape and traditional Najdi design themes, whereas the next phase will offer visitors a more evolved Najdi design experience. Both phases of Diriyah’s hospitality development plans will see a variety of luxury hotels open, characterised by cutting-edge design, top-class amenities, and superb customer service, the company said.

In July 2022, DGDA and SIRC signed a waste management agreement.

“Thai-rooted brand Anantara, part of Minor Hotels, will provide a window into the destination through its authentic experience-led hospitality. Corinthia Hotels seeks to build upon its hospitality legacy by delighting the senses of Diriyah’s travellers with great service and timeless design motifs within its first phase.

“Diriyah will also feature Marriott International’s EDITION Hotels which is a unique luxury collection of individualised hotels considered the next chapter in the lifestyle hotel story. The world-renowned Taj Hotels will offer guests a fusion of warm Indian hospitality and world-class service. With the Langham, Diriyah, promises to captivate the senses with sophisticated and gracious hospitality, reflecting elegance in design, innovation, and sincere service. Waldorf Astoria Diriyah will bring a relentless commitment to elegant service, one-of-a-kind experiences, and culinary expertise,” the statement continued.

Diriyah will also offer several upscale hotel options, it added: 1 Hotels, focused on sustainable luxury, has been designed using sustainable and local resources and operated in the most environmentally friendly manner. Additionally, Pendry Hotels and Resorts will add its renowned luxury touch to the city’s culture, offering authentic service tailored. Treehouse Hotel will offer guests a free-spirited, environmentally conscious lifestyle experience that creatively captures the carefree comfort, freedom, nostalgia, and fun of childhood.

In early October 2022, DGDA and NHC said they would collaborate on mutual areas that serve the housing sector.

Additionally, the giga-project’s hospitality masterplan will unveil several upscale lifestyle hotel choices including Hyatt Place and Marriott International’s Moxy Hotels. Radisson Hotel Group’s Radisson RED brand will also be present.

As a place of natural beauty, Wadi Safar is nestled within 60sqkm of unspoilt desert landscape. It will feature hospitality brands such as Faena Group via a global venture with hospitality group Accor. Montage Hotels and Resorts, The Chedi by GHM Hotels, and Well Health Retreat, a resort dedicated to improving people’s health and well-being, round out the offerings at the Wadi, DGDA concluded.

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Source: ME Construction News

Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN) has unveiled plans to invest US $13.3bn into the development of 21 integrated entertainment destinations. The projects are expected to have over 150 innovative attractions and will be developed in partnership with prominent international brands across 14 cities in the Kingdom.

The company, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), said that construction works of SEVEN’s first entertainment destination in the Al Hamra district of Riyadh have already begun.

The firm pointed out that its mandate is to invest in, develop, and operate entertainment destinations and create a sustainable entertainment sector that caters to the needs of all in Saudi Arabia, in accordance with the highest and latest international standards.

In October 2021, the PIF announced new tourism projects that would be built on offshore platforms.

“SEVEN is redefining the future of entertainment in Saudi Arabia through our 21 entertainment destinations across 14 cities with more than 150 world-class attractions that enhance the quality of life for the people of Saudi Arabia. We are partnering with leading entertainment brands and will continue to do so to develop entertainment destinations like no other. The ground-breaking of our first destination in Al Hamra district in Riyadh is a pivotal milestone and we are excited to bring unparalleled experiences to the people and visitors of the Kingdom,” said Abdullah AlDawood, Chairman, SEVEN.

The announcement comes in sync with growth within the Saudi entertainment sector, and the country’s efforts to consolidate the position of the sector in order to diversify sources of income, create jobs, contribute to raising the quality of life for citizens and residents, and improve the ranking of Saudi cities among the best cities globally, the statement said.

SEVEN said that will introduce a new concept in the world of entertainment; its destinations will offer various experiences including a wide range of entertainment attractions, a variety of local and international dining outlets and many more – all under one roof. SEVEN notes that it has secured partnerships with leading global entertainment companies including Clip ‘n Climb, Warner Bros. Discovery, Mattel for its Hot Wheels brand, and Hasbro for its Transformers and Play-Doh brands, to develop world-first entertainment attractions.

In March 2022, JLL said that Saudi Arabia’s gigaprojects and Vision 2030 are driving growth in the property market.

AlDawood added, “We believe the entertainment sector in Saudi Arabia is full of opportunities and plays an important role in the growth of the local economy. It also forms a strong basis for creating jobs and is a strong driver for a large number of other economic sectors including the local tourism sector. We will provide opportunities for local SMEs, develop Saudi talent, localise technical expertise and transfer knowledge through our global partnerships.”

SEVEN’s entertainment destination in Al Hamra, which is said to have an investment value of more than $800mn, is taking shape on a land area of ​​more than 90,000sqm, with a built-up area of ​​167,000sqm. It is said to occupy a strategic location at the intersection of the Eastern Ring Road and King Abdullah Road. SEVEN Al Hamra is expected to attract six million visitors per year by providing world-leading entertainment attractions.

Shapoorji Pallonji was awarded the contract for construction and management of the project. The agreement was signed by AlDawood and Vidya Sagar, Vice President of Shapoorji Pallonji, at a ceremony held at the SEVEN Al Hamra site.

In October 2022, Knight Frank said that Qatar’s hospitality sector would grow by 89% by 2025.

M.D. Saini, Managing Director and CEO of Shapoorji Pallonji commented, “Saudi Arabia, through Vision 2030, has ambitions to become one of the best places to live and visit in the world. We at Shapoorji Pallonji feel honoured that SEVEN chose to partner with us on this ambitious and path-breaking venture. We are already executing multiple projects in Saudi Arabia and this project will certainly add significantly to our business portfolio and further establish our long-lasting legacy in Saudi Arabia.”

‘SEVEN Al Hamra’ will feature many of the company’s signature entertainment experiences including an indoor hubless wheel, Wave House indoor surfing, a 10-lane bowling alley, indoor skydiving, an indoor karting racetrack, as well as cinemas, restaurants, cafes, international retail stores and fitness, the statement noted.

The company’s entertainment destination in Al Hamra will also be home to numerous world-first entertainment attractions developed through global partnerships, including a Discovery indoor adventures centre, an edutainment attraction offering a world of exploration, play and education; Clip ‘n Climb, featuring 40 unique climbing challenges for all ages; and a Transformers themed ride-based attraction, offering highly immersive experiences, it added.

In November 2022, Bahrain said it would invest $312mn into new education facilities by 2030.

The firm pointed out that it has inked partnerships with several firms to design its entertainment destinations including AOA, CallisonRTKL in collaboration with Thinkwell, WME and Ellis Don.

SEVEN’s entertainment destinations are strategically located to serve the wider population of Saudi Arabia, ensuring that they are easily accessible by all. The upcoming projects will be located in Riyadh, Kharj, Makkah, Jeddah, Taif, Dammam, Khobar, Al Ahsa, Madinah, Yanbu, Abha, Jazan, Buraidah, and Tabuk, the firm concluded.

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Source: ME Construction News

Arada has announced that the third and final phase of its Aljada Skate Park, billed as the largest facility of its kind in the Middle East, is now open.

Located in the Madar family entertainment district of the Aljada community in Sharjah, the skate park was opened by Keegan Palmer, the Australian skateboarding Olympic gold medallist, who helped design its third phase.

Spread over a 90,000sqft area, the skate park contains a beginner section, an intermediate section, and a pro-level street and park section, which will allow the facility to host global standard competitions.

In early October 2022, Arada launched the Masaar Discovery Centre.

The pro-level phase of Aljada Skate Park contains design elements inspired by famous skate parks from around the world, from Bondi Beach to Salt Lake City, where Keegan has competed, including a large vert wall that can also be found at the Ariake Urban Sports Park in Tokyo, where he won the gold medal in 2021.

Keegan Palmer, Aljada Skate Park Ambassador said, “This is not only the largest but also the most challenging and creative skate park anywhere in the region. Aljada Skate Park is now a focal point for the growing skate community here in the UAE, and I’m very excited about the future plans that we have for this amazing facility.”

Joining Keegan Palmer to launch the park were HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal, Vice Chairman of Arada, Ahmed Alkhoshaibi, Group CEO of Arada, Sabatino Aracu, President of World Skate, the global governing body for skateboarding and a number of other officials.

Also in early October 2022, Arada awarded $124mn in contracts to Airolink for development of Aljada homes.

Skaters from across the UAE and beyond got to hear Keegan talk about his Olympic and Aljada journeys, as well as the chance to learn tips and tricks at special skate clinics. In addition, another of the world’s top skaters, Pedro Barros, who won silver at Tokyo 2020, also impressed the crowd with his skills.

Skaters also got the opportunity to show off their own skills and compete to win during the eye-catching Skate & Chill event hosted by Californian shoe brand Vans. The competition gave away prizes for the best tricks performed over six sections of Aljada Skate Park, with visitors also treated to a festival atmosphere along with giveaways, a DJ, plenty of food and the opportunity to customise Vans shoes.

Ahmed Alkhoshaibi, Group CEO of Arada added, “Our strategy has always been to deliver world-class facilities to inspire residents and visitors to our communities, and Aljada Skate Park is no exception. We’re delighted to support this rapidly growing sport here in the UAE, and will shortly be sharing our plans to put Sharjah on the map as a global destination for professional skateboarding.”

In late October 2022, the developer said it closed a $100mn tap of Sukuk issuance.

Special guests from the Gabriel Can Foundation, which aims to teach children diagnosed with autism to skate, were given a warm welcome with a special hour-long event specially designed for them.

Spread over a 24m sqft area and with 25,000 homes, Aljada is Sharjah’s largest project and a transformational destination for the emirate. Since opening in early 2020, Madar at the Aljada entertainment district has welcomed over three million visitors, the developer noted.

The first phase of Madar contains the Aljada Discovery Center, the Zad food truck district, a free-to-enter drive-in cinema, a children’s adventure playground, an indoor events space, an outdoor amphitheatre and the world-class Aljada Skate Park. Scheduled to open next year, the second phase of Madar will contain a Wellfit gym – Sharjah’s largest fitness space – and a BOUNCE trampoline park.

In late November 2022, Arada entered the Dubai real estate market with the launch of Jouri Hills.

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Source: ME Construction News

Etihad Rail has reached an agreement with UAE petrochemical company Borouge, to transport 1.3m tonnes of polyolefins annually from its petrochemical complex in Al Ruways Industrial City for export. With this new partnership agreement, Borouge has become one of Etihad Rail’s main customers, the UAE’s national railway developer said.

The deal also includes the development of a rail freight terminal in Al Ruways Industrial City, extending over an area of one million sqm; the terminal will handle loading and unloading, as well as storage and maintenance of shipping containers.

By using rail, the time required to transport Borouge’s products will be reduced to four hours compared to 12 hours via other modes of transport, said a statement from Etihad Rail.

In August 2022, Etihad Rail said it received its first batch of new and advanced rolling stock.

The agreement was signed by Etihad Rail CEO Engineer Shadi Malak and Borouge CEO Hazeem Sultan Al Suwaidi, in the presence of Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Managing Director and CEO of Adnoc and Chairman of Borouge; and Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure.

Al Nahyan said, “This strategic partnership comes in line with Etihad Rail’s efforts to provide logistics solutions to some of the country’s largest companies, where they can transport goods through the rail network at reduced costs and time. In doing so, Etihad Rail also contributes to reducing carbon emissions, in line with the objectives of the UAE.”

Dr Al Jaber said this important collaboration contributes to the growth of Abu Dhabi’s industrial sector and will support Borouge’s ongoing drive to optimise its logistics platform, lowering both its operating costs and carbon emissions.

In early September 2022, the railway developer said it had completed the connection between the ICAD railway freight terminal and the UAE National Rail Network.

“The partnership reinforces Borouge’s resilience and accelerates the export of its ‘Made In UAE’ products using more sustainable modes of transport, while underlining the partners’ commitment to the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative,” he concluded.

In mid October 2022, Etihad Rail said track-laying operations in Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah had been completed.

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Source: ME Construction News

Husqvarna Construction has launched its first electric drill motors with Embedded Connectivity technology, which is designed to produce rich data analytics and insights into the health of equipment.

The DM 400 and DM 430 single-phase 3.2kW drill motors both offer the new technology, which is an enhanced version of Husqvarna Fleet Services. It includes key performance alerts and allows for continuous wireless updates of the machine’s software, the company said.

The tools themselves have a durable all-aluminum casing with a solid feel and a compact design to make them usable when drilling in narrow corners. The carrying handle also works as an impact guard and is easy to remove when needed, giving extra clearance in tight spaces.

In late August 2021, the firm appointed a new General Manager for the Middle East and Africa and, in mid June 2022, it introduced a new range of demolition robots.

Commenting on the new launches, Jeff Bennett, General Manager at Husqvarna Construction said, “In this ever-changing world of technology and the Internet of Things (IoT), it has been essential for operators of equipment to be able to collect and analyse information on the usage of the product and how to enhance its outcome. The new DM 400 / DM 430 are designed for rough handling and heavy drilling jobs but they’re also very easy to handle in any drilling conditions you can think of. They can be termed as truly dependable workhorses built to make the operator proud.”

The typical Husqvarna features include the LED load indicator and the SmartStart (half speed) button, and the quick connection to the new Husqvarna DS 500 stand, which is designed to fit together with DM 400 / DM 430. In addition, the three-speed gearbox makes it easy to adjust the RPMs for core bit diameters from 55 to 350 mm for DM 400, and 100 to 450 mm for DM 430.

In mid August 2022, the firm announced that it had appointed AABTools as its UAE distributor.

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Source: ME Construction News

A partnership deal has been signed between digital solutions and service provider, Omnix, and ESG-focused AI firm, viAct, to grow digitilisation and to boost safety in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) and oil & gas sectors in the GCC. As per the agreement, Omnix will become the master distributor of viAct’s products and services across the UAE, Saud Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain.

Commenting on the AEC and oil & gas fields, Omnix noted that both are amongst the most prominent, lucrative and critical and said that safety concerns lurk through all the stages of the supply chain. The very nature of these industries makes them vulnerable to workplace fatalities. In fact, the construction industry is regarded as one of the most dangerous industries, for experiencing the highest number of workplace deaths. The oil & gas industry is no far behind, it added.

“Our strategic partnership with viAct will provide an ingenious dimension for accelerating the digital transformation journey across the fast-growing Middle East region. With our team’s diverse experience and knowledge of products, solutions, and services in the region coupled with viAct’s expertise in automated monitoring powered by video analytics, the ability to digitally derive data-driven decisions in the entire workflow will be a key driver and business enabler to transform the industrial landscape, especially the AEC and Oil & Gas industry,” said Simran Bagga, Vice President, Omnix Engineering & Foundation Technologies.

In late June 2022, Omnix and Abu Dhabi Municipality said they would collaborate to push a mandate relating to infrastructure projects.

According to a safety report released by the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP), there has been a 10% hike in the overall total recordable injury rate in the industry in 2021 compared to 2020. In addition, reports claim that as many as 10,000 migrant workers from South and South-east Asia die every year in Gulf countries. The high number of workplace fatalities do not just raise questions on safety in jobsites but also hampers the productivity in the industries due to the loss of human resources, the statement from Omnix highlighted.

Since its inception, viAct has been striving to make jobsites safer, efficient and sustainable. It has engaged itself in constant and intensive R&D to develop and improve its proprietary scenario-based AI to offer smart and innovative AI solutions, which leverage the power of industrial grade video analytics to cater to various safety needs of different industries like construction and oil & gas, the statement said.

Its solutions that leverage AI video analytics for the oil & gas industry and AEC industry for locking safety and productivity in these sectors includes: work at height safety morning; danger zone intrusion detection; confined space work safety monitoring and fleet management.

In mid July 2022, Omnix Engineering’s Bhaskar Raman said that in the near future, cloud-based digital twins will serve predominantly as an asset management environment.

Apart from these features, the system’s instant alerts can help stakeholders in risk anticipation and management, while the dashboard enables digitisation of workflow. As a result, through AI monitoring of different workplace scenarios along with the system of instant alerts and integrated dashboard, viAct can foster the safety and productivity in the AEC and Oil & Gas industry that too in a simple plug & play manner, the statement pointed out.

“This partnership with Omnix aligns with our safety and sustainability aspirations and will take us a step closer to make our vision a reality. Together with Omnix, we aim at setting our foot into the Middle East market to create safer, efficient and sustainable workplaces through digitization and AI technology,” concluded Gary Ng, Founder and CEO of viAct.

In late July 2022, Omnix International announced its new VP of Engineering and Foundation Technologies.

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Source: ME Construction News

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has completed improvements of Al Manama Street, which is part of the Dubai-Al Ain Road Improvement Project that began in May 2022.

According to a WAM report, the project is part of ongoing efforts to upgrade roads and transportation infrastructure, while also supporting Dubai’s urban and sustainable development. The project entailed the construction of a new traffic corridor linking Al Meydan and Al Manama Streets and crossing over the Dubai-Al Ain Road via a flyover of four lanes in each direction. Construction included slip roads that would link with the Dubai-Al Ain Road.

The scope of the project also included increasing the capacity of the existing Al Manama Street by transforming the first three intersections with Aden Street, Sanaa Street and Nad Al Hamar Street into signalised surface junctions, the RTA stated.

In early August 2022, the RTA said that works at the Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Corridor Improvement Project were 75% complete and, later in the month, the RTA said that 55% of construction work at the Falcon Interchange improvement project had been completed.

In addition, the project increased the number of traffic lanes to four in each direction up to the intersection with Nad Al Hamar Street, besides changing several traffic lanes on Aden Street.

These improvements enhanced the road capacity to 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions, cut delay rates, and improved the traffic flow at intersections, the RTA explained.

The project works also entailed upgrading the roundabout at the intersection of Al-Manama Street with Nad Al-Hamar Street to a signalised junction, designating a minimum of two lanes for left turns in all directions, and a free lane for right turns along with a minimum of three lanes to ensure a smooth traffic flow.

In early October 2022, the RTA awarded contracts for the construction of internal roads across four communities.

 

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Source: ME Construction News

A little over a week ahead of the eight edition of the annual Middle East Consultant Awards (MEC Awards), the magazine’s editorial team has unveiled the companies, individuals and projects that have made this year’s shortlist.

According to the editorial team, the 2022 MEC Awards received a total of 209 submissions when nominations closed on 18 November. Several categories drew over a dozen nominations from companies within the UAE and across the broader GCC region, the editorial team noted.

Commenting on the nominations and the final shortlist, Paul Godfrey, Head of Content at Middle East Consultant stated, “The shortlists reflects a commitment not only to real-world expertise and prowess, but the ability to give relevant and highly-tailored answers to the key questions around each award category. This year, in particular, we found immense competition, and with each award there were a batch of close-run entries that made it extremely challenging for the judges to separate in terms of finding an outright winner.”

Winners will be unveiled at a gala event that will take place at the Ritz Carlton JBR in Dubai on 7 December. The event will be held outdoors on the hotel’s recently refurbished lawn, with doors opening at 7pm sharp.

To attend the gala event, please email andy.pitois@cpitrademedia.com to discuss costs.

The Shortlist for the 2022 MEC Awards is as follows:

Architectural Company of the Year

• Altorath International
• B8 Architecture
• Dewan Architects + Engineers
• DLR Group

Company of the Year

• Bainona Engineering Consultancy
• DLR Group
• HKA
• Omnium International
• Orange Design Group

Cost Consulting Company of the Year     

• Compass Project Consulting
• JLL
• Omnium International
• Rider Levett Bucknall
• Turner & Townsend

Dispute Resolution Champion of the Year

• CCI
• Inshield
• Northcroft
• Omnium Resolve

Enterprise Business of the Year

• Climatize
• North 51 Consulting
• Tangram Meta

Executive of the Year

• AECOM – Hamed Zaghw
• AESG – Scott Coombes
• Compass Project Consulting – Luke Somerville
• Dewan Architects + Engineers – Ammar Al Assam
• Turner & Townsend – Alan Talabani
• U+A Architects – Mohamad Habsah

Lighting Design Consultancy of the Year

• Glare
• Nulty
• Studio Lumen

MEP Engineering Company of the Year

• Bainona Engineering Consultancy
• Black & White Engineering
• Freeline Engineering Consultants
• Mott MacDonald

Multi-Discipline Consulting Company of the Year

• AECOM
• Bainona Engineering Consultancy
• Cundall
• Egis
• KEO International Consultants
• LC & Partners Project Management and Engineering

Gender & Ethical Champion of the Year

• AESG
• HKA
• JLL
• Silcock Leedham

Health & Safety and Wellness Champion of the Year

• Altorath International Engineering Consultancy
• Climatize
• Omnium International

Interior Design Company of the Year

• B8 Architecture
• Bainona Engineering Company
• DLR Group Middle East
• MEMAR Architecture

Project Management Company of the Year

• Bainona Engineering Consultancy
• Freeline Engineering Consultants
• JLL
• Land Sterling

Project of the Year – Government & Infrastructure

• AECOM – Qatar Ministry of Transport, Bus Infrastructure Project
• Godwin Austen Johnson – Citizens School
• Pace Middle East – Palace of Justice, Kuwait
• TRUST ENGINEERING CONSULTANCY – Moza bint Mohamed Qur’an and Daawa Center

Specialist Consulting Company of the Year

• AESG
• Endpoint Middle East
• KTech Consulting
• Turner & Townsend

Structural Engineering Company of the Year

• Bainona Engineering Consultancy
• DeSimone Consulting Engineers
• Dewan Architects + Engineers
• Freeline Engineering Consultants

Sustainable Consultancy of the Year

• Climatize
• Cundall
• Freeline Engineering Consultants
• Sustain Leadership

Sustainable Project of the Year – Hospitality & Tourism

• AECOM – Habitas Resort
• Climatize – Amaala Yacht Club
• Cundall – The Storm Coaster
• JT & Partners – Syed Al Shuhada
• Taka Solutions – Fairmont the Palm

Sustainable Project of the Year – Residential & Commercial

• Climatize – Damac Lagoons
• Compass Project Consulting – Bustanica
• JT + Partners – The W Residences
• Taka Solutions – Swiss Tower
• U+A Architects – Villa Amalfi

Sustainable Project of the Year – Retail & Public Facilities

• Altorath – Al Ain Autism Center
• Climatize – Damac Lagoons
• TRUST ENGINEERING CONSULTANCY – The Cube
• U+A Architects – Wasl Experience Center

Under 30 Champion of the Year

• AECOM – Katy Adubi
• Buro Happold – Bestan Star
• JLL – Samit Sheth
• Ramboll Middle East – Ghina Yamak
• Serco – Rena Baba

Women in Construction Professional of the Year

• AECOM – Jennifer Stables
• AESG – Nivine Issa
• JLL – Louise Collins
• Kingspan Insulation – Salma Khedar
• Tangram MENA – Sandra Woodall

The 2022 Middle East Consultant Awards is being supported by the following companies:

Social Media Sponsor: WSP

Gold Sponsor: KEO

Silver Sponsor: AECOM, CCI, Compass, Kingspan Insulation, K Tech Consulting, RSP, Step Engineering, TBH

Category Sponsor: Insinkerator

Network Sponsor: Polypipe Middle East

Supporting Partner: NEB

Read about the 2021 Middle East Consultant Award winners here. To learn more about the 2022 Middle East Consultant Awards, click here.

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Source: ME Construction News

Kuwait-based Tourism Enterprises Company (TEC) has said that steady progress is being made on its prime tourism and entertainment projects; the organisation said the projects are on track for completion by mid-2023 as per schedule.

According to a statement, the Ras Al Ard club is one of the projects – spread over an area of 35,000sqm, the club will feature a variety of recreational and sports activities for different age groups such as multi-use sports courts, food and beverage outlets, as well as paved walkways and a boardwalk, in addition to indoor and outdoor swimming pools.

“Work is at an advanced stage on our major developments such as Ras Al Ard Club and the New Messilah Beach that will be completed by mid-2023,” said TEC Chairman Engineer Muhammad Ahmad Al Saqqaf, after an inspection tour of its various project sites.

In early May 2022, a Kuwait ministry said it would appoint a consultant for a sewage plant feasibility study.

Al Saqqaf was accompanied by his team of company executives who also toured the Al-Khiran Park project site. The delegation was briefed on the ongoing work at the project and also the range of recreational activities that will be part of the park.

Sadeem Al Kuwait General Trading and Contracting is handling the Ras Al Ardh Club project work.

On the New Messilah Beach project, Al Saqqaf remarked, “TEC is developing the beach into an integrated and contemporary facility spanning over 70,000sqm area with a wide range of leisure and lifestyle activities.”

In early November 2022, authorities said that construction work on Kuwait International Airport had made significant headway.

The contract for the project had been awarded last year to Ahmadiah Contracting Company, he added.

“A star attraction for families, the beach project will have all kinds of water sports and for all ages, in addition to marine games. Also, it will boast key amenities including open air theatre, restaurants, cafes and shops,” he concluded.

In early November 2022, Gavin Davids reported on the design and construction of the Grand Hyatt Kuwait.

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Source: ME Construction News

Developer Eagle Hills has announced a $2.5bn development in Albania. Billed as the largest super yacht marina in the world, the Durrës Yachts & Marina will take shape in the ancient city of Durrës, 34km from Albania’s capital of Tirana.

According to the developer, the project is poised to redefine luxury lifestyle living. In addition to 12,000 luxury marina homes, the project will comprise a state-of-the-art marina accommodating the largest super yachts in the world; a terminal for international cruise liners, which is said to be the first of its kind on the Albanian coast; premium open-air retail experiences with unique shopping and dining concepts; parks and open spaces; opulent luxury hotels and branded hotel residences; world-class wellness clubs and spas, and exclusive beach and marina clubs.

“This development is the pinnacle of luxury living, whilst at the same time bringing immense new investment, infrastructure and long-term growth opportunities to Albania. We are proud of our partnership with the extraordinary citizens and government officials of this remarkable nation on a groundbreaking transformational project that took two years of planning and design by internationally acclaimed architects, engineers, public realm consultants and artists,” said Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Eagle Hills.

In October 2021, Eagle Hills Diyar inked a retail deal with the Trafalgar Luxury Group.

Through careful urban planning and management, Durrës Yachts & Marina will be designed as one of the most sustainable new cities in the world, incorporating eco-friendly practices, green spaces and smart technology to reduce air pollution and CO2 emissions, enhance air quality, and protect natural resources, the developer noted.

It added that the project’s sustainability goals will be achieved with infrastructure that includes energy, water and traffic management, as well as the latest means of urban mobility. Using the most cutting-edge technology available today, this project will also be one of the world’s smartest and most innovative projects.

Alabbar concluded, “We are not just opening up the destination for high-end visitors, but we are also creating the Monaco of the Adriatic. You have this incredible history in the background, alongside what will be a whole new luxury destination. We’ve done a lot of special projects over the years across the world, but I have no doubt this is right up there with the very best of them.”

In late May 2022, Eagle Hills launched a premium lifestyle development in Sharjah and, in early September 2022, the developer said that construction works had been completed on Sharjah’s Kalba Waterfront project.

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Source: ME Construction News