The local/UK Al-Naboodah Laing O'Rourkehas been selected for the estimated $200 million commercial island package. The two-year contract, expected to come into force in early May, calls for the construction of a mixed-use development, covering a built-up area of about 2.7 million square feet, including a 60-storey luxury hotel, service apartments, offices and retail space, as well as external works and parking structures. The project manager is South Africa's Mirage Mille(MEED 14:1:05).

Emaar said in late March that awards were also close for two further Old Town residence packages, known as site A phase 2 and site B phase 2. Both contracts call for the construction of about 13 residential buildings. The local Al-Basti & Mukthais carrying out the first residential package, involving the construction of eight buildings under an $80 million award made last autumn. The project manager for the residences is the UK's Mace International; the architect is South Africa's DSA(MEED 26:11:04).

For the hotels A and B tender, bidders had the option of submitting two separate quotes as well as an overall bid for the two properties, which cover a 350-room hotel and a 300-room hotel. The project manager is Mirage Mille; the local Al-Burj Engineering Consultantsis the design consultant.

The centrepiece of the entire Emaar development will be Burj Dubai, set to be the world's tallest building. The joint venture of South Korea's Samsung Corporation, Belgium's Besixand the local Arabtec Constructionis already on site and is due to begin work on the first levels in mid-April (MEED 10:12:04).