Bids are due to be submitted by 21 May for the main construction contract on the Al-Mas tower at Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT) in Dubai. Standing at 360 metres, the office tower will be the tallest building in the JLT development (MEED 4:3:05).

Estimated to be worth AED 500 million ($136 million), the 20-month contract will call for the construction of a 64-storey tower, superstructure, finishings, parking and related facilities over a total built-up area of 150,000 square metres. The high-rise will house the headquarters of the Dubai Metals & Commodities Centre (DMCC).

Prospective bidders include Japan's Taisei Corporation with Lebanon's Arabian Construction Company (ACC), the local/UK Al-Naboodah Laing O'Rourke, Sembcorp of Singapore, the local/Australian Nasa Multiplexand the local/Belgian Bel Hasa Six Construct. The project manager is the UK's Faith & Gould. Atkins, also of the UK, is the design consultant. Local property developer Nakheel is the client.

Al-Mas tower, which will accommodate the diamond exchange, is one of three towers being developed in JLT for the DMCC. The Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange will be based in the AU Tower, while the Alaf Tower, a 35-storey building, will be the base for commodity trading.

www.meed.com/construction