Contractors with substantial experience in both concrete and structural steel high-rises have been invited to express interest. The companies will have the option to form joint ventures. Once solicitations have been received, Emaar will launch prequalification for the main package.

The contract will cover the construction of a 500-600-metre-high tower, a podium and several other facilities over a 14-million-square-feet area near the second interchange on Sheikh Zayed highway. The tower will house a shopping mall at the basement, a five-star hotel, retail outlets and residential and commercial units. The project will also call for the construction of aquatic features, pedestrian boulevards and car parks.

Burj Dubai will be carried out in several specialist packages and is expected to be completed in 2008. Bids are already under evaluation for the pilings package. The contract will call for the excavation of up to 50 metres and driving of about 170 piles. The piling works are due to begin in February.

The US' Skidmore Owings & Merrill is the architectural design consultant; the project manager is Turner International, also of the US.

www.meed.com/construction