The US' Hill Internationalhas been appointed project manager on the estimated $2,000 million City of Arabia project, part of the Dubailand development.The scheme comprises residential, office and entertainment facilities catering to about 34,000 people (MEED 20:5:05).

Bids are currently under evaluation for the estimated $80 million piling contract. The six-month contract calls for the sinking of 26,500 piles covering the 20 million-square-foot area.

Bidders include Germany's Bauer, Swissboring, part of Italy's Trevi Group, and local firms Middle East Foundations and NSCC. The local Wade AdamsContractingis working on the grading and excavations package.The client, the local I&M Galadari Group, has also invited expressions of interest (EoIs) for the main contracts on the project.

The three main construction packages cover: the Mall of Arabia, which will have a built-up area of about 520,000 square metres; Restless Planet, a 90-metre-high translucent dome with a built-up area of 42,000 square metres; and phase 1 of the Wadi Walk development, which will see construction of low-rise retail and residential buildings with a built-up area of 338,000 square metres.

Located off Emirates road adjacent to Global Village, the project is scheduled to be completed by the first quarter of 2008. Hong Kong-based P&T Architects & Engineers is the engineering and design consultant.