Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) received bids on 11 November for the contract to build its $1bn Louvre museum on Saadiyat Island.

The contract is one of the largest building contracts to have been tendered in Abu Dhabi this year, and a wide range of international and regional contractors were preparing to bid for the work.

The landmark project, which is one of the most high-profile projects planned for Abu Dhabi, has been tendered three times since it was first launched in 2007 as part of a wide-ranging cultural accord signed by Abu Dhabi and France. It was first tendered in 2009 as a design and build scheme, and then tendered again in 2010 as a traditional construction contract. That tender was cancelled after TDIC shortlisted two contractors in early 2011

The main package will involve the concrete structure and superstructure works, structural steel works, cladding and mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) works. Designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, the Louvre Abu Dhabi is part of the capital’s 18-square-kilometre Saadiyat Island Cultural District. Piling work on the Louvre project has been completed by Germany’s Bauer.