For the commercial island contract, invited companies have been given until 16 December to submit bids. The contract, expected to be worth about $120 million, will centre on the construction of a mixed-use development with a hotel, apartments, offices and retail space. The contract also includes external works and parking structures. The project manager is South Africa's Mirage Mille.

The local Al-Basti & Muktha (ABM)has started work on the first Old Town contract. The site A and B phase 1 package, worth an estimated $80 million, will take 15 months to complete and calls for the construction of eight residential buildings.

A contract award is pending on the second residential package, known as site B phase 2. About five contractors, including ABM, the local Bu Haleeba Contracting Companyand the local/South African venture of Al-Habtoor Engineering Enterpriseswith Murray & Roberts Contractors (Middle East), are competing for the estimated $110 million contract, which calls for the construction of about 13 buildings.

Bids are due by 19 December for the similarly-sized site A phase 2 package. The project manager for the Old Town residences is the UK's Mace International; the architect is South Africa's DSA.

The award of the main Burj Dubai contract is now expected by early December. Three contracting groups have been shortlisted for the estimated $750 million contract, which involves the construction of the world's highest building at 705 metres (MEED 22:10:04).