The local/UK Carillion Alawi has been formally awarded the RO57m ($149m) contract to build the new Kempinski hotel near Muscat for The Oman Hospitality Company.

“We are delighted to have been selected to deliver this deal, which follows a number of significant recent wins in Oman and reflects Carillion Alawi’s reputation for delivering high-quality projects,” says Richard Howson, chief executive officer of Carillion.

The 24-month contract, which is set to start this month, involves building a beach-front resort, including a 309-room 5-star hotel and 77 hotel apartments.

MEED reported in early September that Carillion Alawi was expected to win the deal.

Three groups submitted bids for the contract in April. The other two bidders were:

• Douglas OHI (local/UK)
• Murray & Roberts Contractors (South Africa)/Bahwan Engineering (local)

Contractors had previously competed for the deal in 2011 and 2012.

The $3bn Wave scheme, located on the coast at Muscat, covers an area of 2.2 million square metres and includes 4,000 residential properties, four hotels, a 400-berth marina and retail facilities. The development will also include an 18-hole golf course designed by Greg Norman. The mixed-use Wave project is being developed by a joint venture of the UAE-based Majid al-Futtaim (MAF) and the Omani government.