Al-Gurm goes for bid

01 February 2006

The local ALDAR Properties has invited about five international contractors to bid by 21 February for the main buildings package on the Al-Gurm (mangrove) resort and residential complex on the western edge of Abu Dhabi island. The estimated AED 1,000 million ($272 million) project is to be implemented on a fast-track basis with completion set for 2007 (MEED 25:11:05).

Prequalifiers for the contract, known as the shell and core first fix and roads and infrastructure package, include the local/Lebanese Arabian Construction Company (ACC), South Africa's Murray & Roberts Contractors (Middle East), the local/Australian Nasa Multiplex, Saudi Oger and Belgium's Six Construct.

Al-Gurm will comprise a premier 161-room, five-star hotel and 59 private homes built on a natural mangrove and sandbar habitat. All homes will have their own private pool, a jetty and some will have a private beach. Nine of the homes will be situated on their own private islands. The hotel resort has been designed to complement the villa development and will be made up of chalets on individual islands and suites built around a central lagoon. Work on the project has already begun after Royal Boskalis Westminster of the Netherlands was awarded an estimated $20 million-25 million dredging contract in October. The project manager is Canada's Cansult.

ALDAR is also expected to issue tender documents in late January for another major contract, covering the souk and basement parking package on the Abu Dhabi central market redevelopment project (MEED 15:7:05).

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