UK-based Carillion says its joint venture business in the UAE, Al-Futtaim Carillion, has been awarded a $181.1m contract by Abu Dhabi’s Aabar Properties to build a five-star Hard Rock Hotel in the UAE capital.

The hotel, which will be the first of its kind in the Middle East, will comprise 378 rooms and be located on Abu Dhabi’s corniche. 

The hotel will also feature an assortment of signature restaurants, entertainment and meeting facilities, including the Hard Rock Café.
 
Other key attractions will include a sky lobby on the fifth floor podium, a lobby bar with outdoor entertainment deck and hookah lounge, as well as a 37th floor sky bar with swimming pool. The resort will also host the Body Rock fitness centre and signature Rock Spa.

Construction is scheduled to begin in February 2014, with completion in the first quarter of 2017. 

”We are delighted to have been selected for this important contract, which reflects our reputation for delivering projects to high standards of quality, safety and reliability,” said Carillion’s Chief Executive Officer, Richard Howson. “We look forward to working with Aabar Properties to deliver this prestigious hotel.”