The client, Salhiya Real Estate Company, has yet to decide whether to go ahead with the project with a PMC on board, but is expected to notify the bidders of its intention early next year. Tenders for the preliminary works packages are expected by the end of the second quarter once all the necessary permits have been granted by Kuwait Municipality.

Located on Al-Shuhada street in the Sharq district of the capital, Al-Asima will cover a plot area of 40,000 square metres and have a total built-up area of 360,000 square metres. It will be composed of a 70-storey commercial tower, a 200-room, five-star hotel, a mall, which includes a large retail area, restaurants and eight cinema screens, and a three-level basement car park. The budgeted construction cost is KD 90 million ($310 million).

The design consultant is the London office of the US' Kohn Pederson Fox Associates (KPF) together with the local Al-Jazera Consultants. Construction will take at least two years.