Two other contractors - Saudi Oger and Al-Naboodah Laing O'Rourke - submitted bids last August for the design and build contract, which centres on the construction of a 15-storey hotel and apartment building with three basements of parking. The contract does not include piling which has been carried out under a separate contract.

The development will comprise 340 hotel rooms, 124 serviced apartments and 323 unserviced apartments, ranging in size from one-four bedrooms. In addition, it will include a ballroom, meeting rooms, restaurants and other public facilities.

The project manager on Ritz-Carlton is a JV of the local Edara and APP; the architectural consultant is US-based Gensler & Associates; the structural and mechanical, electrical and plumbing consultant is the UK's Hyder; and the quantity surveyor is DG Jones, also of the UK.

www.meed.com/construction