UK-based Hyder Consultinghas been appointed as the infrastructure consultant for the Legends project in Dubailand. The appointment comes as the project moves into the construction phase. An award for bulk earthworks is expected in early November (MEED 3:12:04).

Formally launched last year, Legends includes three theme parks, residential towers, a golf course, villas, hotels and a retail and leisure mall. The first theme park, called Legends of Arabia, will have traditional attractions such as rollercoasters and water flumes. Walkways around the park will be covered and climate controlled, allowing the park to be used all year round. The second theme park is Legends of Nature, which will incorporate a safari ride and wildlife exhibits. The third, Legends of the World, will have an outer space theme.

Behind the theme parks there will be three themed hotels linked by enclosed walkways to a three-level multi-storey car park with 15,000 parking spaces. On top of the car park will be a leisure and retail mall that will have indoor attractions such as a bowling alley, restaurants, and a cinema.

An iconic hotel with adjoining conference facilities will be built at one end of the development, overlooking Emirates road and another Dubailand project, Aqua Dunya (MEED 16:9:05).

The car park/mall structure will overlook the theme parks on one side, and on the other a nine-hole golf course and hotel surrounded by 500 villas. Behind the golf course and villas will be 12 10-20-storey residential towers.

In September Saudi-based Tanmiyat Investment Group, which had invested $2,000 million in the project when it launched last year, acquired the residential and commercial components of the development, including the villas, apartments, retail area and a number of land parcels to be developed by other investors.

The concept design for the project was carried out by a joint venture of Edificewith France's Jean Michel Ruols Architectesand the local Rice Perry Ellis. Dubai Civil Engineering (DCE)and Sharjah-based Al-Hamad Contracting Companyhave already completed the Legends office building on the site. Legends Development Company, a subsidiary of Bahrain's Gulf Finance House, is the client. Australia's Bovis Lend Leaseis providing project management services (PMS) during the preparation of the masterplan.