The local Alec has started work construction work on the estimated AED2.8bn ($763m) shopping mall the Dubai Hills development for local developer Emaar Properties

Emaar received bids from contractors for the construction work in November last year.

The Dubai Hills scheme covers an area of 11 million square metres and includes gated villa communities, a commercial centre and high-end retail centres, as well as low-rise and mid-rise residences, hotels and serviced hotel apartments. There will also be schools, clinics, mosques and an 18-hole golf course.

Canada’s EllisDon is the programme manager for the development.

Emaar Properties recently awarded India’s Shapoorji Pallonji an estimated $150m deal to build the business park at Dubai Hills.

Other contractors are already working on the scheme. The local Engineering Contracting Company (ECC) is working on the Mulberry Heights residential buildings, and the local Al-Basti Muktha is building villas at the development.

Emaar is also working on plans for a major new retail district at Dubai Creek Harbour, which, along with the world’s tallest tower, will be one of the key attractions at the new masterplanned development.

A joint venture of Emaar and Dubai World Trade Centre is developing a retail centre as part of its Project Star development at the Dubai Expo site. The UK’s Laing O’Rourke was selected for the main construction contract in late October last year.