Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) has awarded an estimated AED1bn ($272m) contract to build 295 villas on Saadiyat Island to the local Al-Jaber Group.

The other bidders included the local Al-Habtoor Engineering Enterprises, the local/Lebanese Arabian Construction Company, and UK-based Laing O’Rourke (MEED 23:6:09).

The contract replaces an agreement that TDIC signed with Arabtec in May 2008 to design and build 560 villas.

Arabtec’s contract included all associated infrastructure works.

Saadiyat Island is one of the largest projects in the UAE and includes hotels, villas and a cultural district.