Leighton Middle East Contracting, the local arm of Habtoor Leighton Group (HLG), has won a RO30m ($78m) contract to build a new hotel at the Saraya Bandar Jissah luxury resort in Muscat.

The company has been appointed to build a five-star, 206-room hotel at the integrated tourism complex, located in the cove of Bandar Jissah, near Qantab, between the Hajjar Mountains and the Gulf of Oman.

The scope of work entails all civil works, landscaping, and mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) work, as well as finishes at the hotel. In December, Dubai-based Jumeirah Group signed a management agreement to operate the hotel.

The hotel is part of the first phase of Saraya Bandar Jissah along with a new boutique hotel, recreational areas and residential properties. It is set to be complete in 2017.

“Saraya Bandar Jissah is pleased to be working with HLG who has delivered quality projects throughout the region,” said Sheikh Hamood al-Hosni, CEO of Saraya Bandar Jissah. “We look forward to a successful work partnership to deliver this flagship property.”

In December 2013, UK-based Atkins was appointed to manage the infrastructure works for the development.

India’s Nagarjuna Construction Company International started work on the enabling package last year. The consultants working on the project include US-based RTKL as the architect, the UK’s Halcrow Yolles as the engineer and the UK’s Aedas as the interior designer.

Saraya Holdings is developing the project in joint venture with Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran).

The developer is still evaluating bids for other packages on the resort.