Japanese architect Arato Isozaki is nearing completion of designs on the avant-garde,91-metre-high QNB building, which will cost more than $55 million. The main contract is expected to be tendered in the first or second quarter of 2005, with the targeted completion date set for late 2006.

Dar al-Handasah, which has been providing technical advice to the client, the local United Development Company (UDC), beat off competition from three other international firms to win the phase 2 Pearl-Qatar project management contract. Phase 2 covers a range of buildings on the development, for which reclamation is proceeding. Bids have also recently been submitted by contractors for the first major piling package, covering seven towers in the Porto Arabia district.

The awards follow the mid-November selection of the US' Hill Internationalto project manage the Dubai tower, which at about 300 metres will be the tallest building in Doha. Bids have recently been submitted by about four contractors for the four-month pilings package (MEED 19:11:04).

Project management awards are pending in Doha on a series of other building schemes, including the photographic museum and the Platinum tower development (MEED 12:11:04).