The local Al-Saad General Contracting was awarded in June this year the superstructure contract on the estimated $400m Rocco Forte Assila Towers in Jeddah.

Local developer Amias Real Estate appointed Al-Saad to complete site preparation, excavation and piling works in 2008 and then, in early-June, awarded it the superstructure contract after direct negotiations.

The Rocco Forte Assila Towers project is a two-tower mixed-use scheme that includes a 23-storey hotel with 197 rooms and a 17-storey apartment tower containing 82 serviced apartments.

The project site is located in Jeddah’s popular shopping district of Tahlia the ground floors of both towers have been reserved for high-end retail outlets.  

The project also includes the following components:

• Two-storey shopping mall
• 700 square-metre ballroom
• 1,000 sq m conference centre
• 1,500 sq m health club
• Business centre
• Restaurant facilities
• Rooftop swimming pool

The construction schedule for the Rocco Forte Assila Towers is uncertain, but previous reports indicate completion is tentatively set for the fourth quarter of 2012.  

US-based architect Perkins & Will combined with the local Mohamed Harasani Architects to design the masterplan and towers. UK-based Rocco Forte Collection was contracted to operate the mixed-use project despite early rumours that the Swiss Kempinski Hotels was given the role.    

Al-Saad currently involved in several of Jeddah’s ongoing projects.

A joint venture of Al-Saad and Dubai-based Arabtec Construction is the contractor on Jeddah’s estimated $533m Lamar mixed-use development. Al-Saad is also scheduled to finish the National Guard barracks in Taif and Jeddah by the end of this year.