The local/Belgian Six Construct Abu Dhabi has been awarded the estimated AED2bn ($544m) contract to build a shopping mall on Yas Island for Abu Dhabi-based developer Aldar Properties.

Six Construct saw off competition from at least six other contractors to win the main construction contract.  

The project will involve the construction of the Yas mall, northeast and northwest decked car parks, infrastructure and associated roads. The project will also involve hard and soft landscaping works.

The total built up area, including car parks and landscaped areas, of the project will be approximately 1.2 million square metres. The shopping mall will contain a retail trading area of about 235,000 sq m. The development will have covered car parking for 10,000 cars.

Aldar expects the project will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2013. Six Construct Abu Dhabi was awarded a contract to build the mall when it was originally tendered in 2008, but the project was put on hold. Aldar later decided to retender the contract.

This is the second large construction contract that Aldar has awarded for its Yas Island development in 2011. In March, it awarded an estimated $170m contract to the local Alec to build a water park on the island.

The water park will cover a total area of 164,000 sq m and will contain more than 40 rides and attractions. The project is scheduled for completion in 2012 (MEED 4:3:11).