Local developer Emaar Properties is preparing to receive updated bids from contractors on 17 August for the deal to build the first six residential towers at its Dubai Creek Harbour at the Lagoons project on the banks of Dubai Creek in the Ras al-Khor area.

Emaar decided to retender the contract after offers were submitted by contractors in late 2014. The local Al-Basti Muktha had done some preliminary work on the development.

The Dubai Creek Harbour at the Lagoons scheme was launched by Emaar and another local developer, Dubai Holding, in October last year. The two companies signed a joint venture agreement to develop the site in 2013.

Unlike many other Dubai projects, the developers have stressed that the scheme is a long-term concern and not based on short-term buying patterns and business cycles. The aim is to develop a residential, commercial and leisure destination for Dubai, much like Emaar’s other developments, Downtown Dubai and Dubai Marina.

Later phases will include 39,000 residential units, more than 8 million square feet of retail space, 3,664 office units and 22 hotels with 4,400 rooms. The centrepiece of the development will be two tall towers.

Emaar is also moving forward with other schemes in Dubai. It has awarded the estimated AED900m ($245m) contract to build the Hills development in Dubai to Athens-based Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC).

The project involves building a common podium with six towers. Four will be residential towers and the other two will be serviced apartments and hotels managed by the developer’s subsidiary Vida Hotels.

CCC is also the contractor for the raft foundation, while the local Dar is the design consultant for the project.

The project is located off Sheikh Zayed Road overlooking Emirates Golf Club, close to Emaar Business Park, Dubai Media City and Dubai Marina.

Emaar is also evaluating bids from contractors for the contract to build the Vida Residence tower in the Downtown Dubai district.

The 57-storey building will have 320 residential units, including serviced apartments with up to four bedrooms. It will be linked directly to the Vida hotel opposite Souk al-Bahar by an air-conditioned glass bridge. The consultant is Canada’s Norr Group.

Emaar has been one of the most active construction clients in Dubai over the past two years, awarding a string of major projects, mostly in the Burj Khalifa area. Two of those contracts were secured by CCC. It is working on the Burj Vista towers and the Dubai Modern Art Museum and Opera House District.