UAE-based Dewan Architects & Engineers has been awarded a contract to design a shopping centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Local developer Akwaan Properties has awarded Dewan the contract to design the Akwaan Retail Centre project, which will be located in the Qurtoba district of eastern Riyadh.

The retail development will have a total built-up-area of 8,500 square metres, and will be spread out over one floor with a partial mezzanine for some retail units. In addition to retail units, the mall will contain a supermarket and food and beverage outlets.

The Akwaan Retail Centre is currently in the design development stage, with the schematic stage having been completed and the plans submitted to the municipality for preliminary approval.

The contract is part of Dewan’s plans to expand further into the Saudi market.

In January 2010, Dewan was appointed to design and supervise the construction of a 28-floor commercial tower in Al-Khobar.

The tower, on the Khobar-Dammam road, will be built on a plot measuring 2,030 square metres. It will have office space on the upper floors and retail outlets on the ground and mezzanine levels. A car park will be spread across two basement levels and four podium floors.

The client is Amlak Sheikh Abdulrahman and Sheikh Sulayman, of the local Abdullah al-Reziza Group of Companies (MEED 7:1:10).