The contract to build the Project Star mixed-use development at the Expo 2020 site is likely to be retendered later this year.

The scheme initially involved building a 130,000 square metre shopping mall and a five storey car park. It is understood that it has been downsized and now involves a 40,000 sq m retail centre with ground level parking only.

Later phases of the original project plans also included two hotels.

In October last year the UK’s Laing O’Rourke was selected for the contract. It is understood that the following negotiations did not result in a main contract award.

The contract was being procured using a two stage tender process to ensure that it opens in time for the 2020 Expo. Initial offers with unit rates and margins were submitted by at least three contractors as part of the first stage. The second stage involved Laing O’Rourke working with the project client towards a target price, which, if it had proceeded as planned, would then have been converted into a lump sum contract once the design was completed.

Project Star is being developed by the joint venture of Emaar Properties and Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

JLL is providing project and cost management services for the Emaar/DWTC joint venture. Singapore’s DP Architects is the concept architect. The local Brewer Smith Brewer Gulf is the lead design consultant for the retail mall. Mott MacDonald is the engineer for the parking and the infrastructure.