The invited contractors include: ALEC and Al-Basti & Muktha (ABM), both local; Al-Futtaim Carillionand A l-Naboodah Laing O'Rourke, both local/UK; the local/Belgian Bel Hasa Six Construct;andSouth Africa's Murray & Roberts Contractors (Middle East).

The project involves the construction of a mixed-use development comprising a shopping mall with 150 retail units and a 38-storey tower with 200 hotel rooms and 400 residential apartments.

Earthworks for the project were carried out in July. The local Middle East Foundations (MEF)is expected to complete piling works by year-end. Singapore's DP Architectsis the consultant. US-based Hill Internationalis the project manager.

Emaar has incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary, Emaar Malls,for developing shopping malls. The new venture plans to invest about AED 15,000 million ($4,000 million) in 100 shopping malls across the federation, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Algeria, Morocco, India and Pakistan. It has already identified 10 potential sites in the region for development, with preliminary designs already completed for locations in Saudi Arabia and Egypt.