Local developer Emaar Properties is expected to retender the main structural works for the world’s tallest man-made structure that it plans to build in Dubai.
The move to retender contract comes after Emaar sought fresh prices from contractors for the contract to build The Tower at Dubai Creek Harbour over the summer. It is understood that those offers were not within Emaar’s budget.
Emaar had earlier this year appointed two contracting groups to provide pre-construction servicesover a period of six months for the tower earlier this year. At the time it was expected that the main construction contract would be awarded to one of the two groups. MEED reported in April that the two groups selected for pre-construction services are a joint venture of South Korea’s Samsung C+T and the local/Belgian Belhasa Six Construct, and a team of the local Dutco Group and Tishman – which is part of the US’ Aecom.
In March, Belhasa Six Construct was appointed to complete the raft foundations for the tower.
France’s Soletanche Bachy is the piling contractor for the project. The tower is designed by Spanish/Swiss architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava Valls. Calatrava is working with the local office of Aurecon as the consultant, supported by the UK’s RMJM. The project manager for the tower is US-based Parsons.
Emaar had been planning last year to award a main construction contract in early 2017 so that the tower could be completed in time for the start of the Dubai Expo on 20 October 2020. It is now understood that an award will be delayed, and the tower will not be completed in time for the start of the Expo.
In October 2016, Dubai officially confirmed the tower will be the world’s tallest man-made structure when it is completed. The final height has not been disclosed. To become the world’s tallest tower, it will have to be more than 1,008 metres in height, which is the expected height of the under-construction Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia.
Another recording breaking projects planned for Dubai Creek Harbour is the world’s largest shopping mall. Emaar has approached construction companies for the contract to build the retail centre, but has not yet issued tender documents.
Sources close to the project say the retail centre could cost AED15bn-AED18bn ($4bn-$5bn) to build, and requires construction firms to form teams with multiple partners.
The 6-square-kilometre Dubai Creek Harbour development is located in the Ras al-Khor area on the banks of Dubai Creek. The programme manager for the development is US-based Hill International. The scheme is being developed by a joint venture of Emaar and Dubai Holding.
