US-based MGM Mirage Hospitality has invited firms to bid by 24 February for the enabling works contract on the MGM development in the Mina Zayed area of Abu Dhabi.

The prospective bidders include Germany’s Bauer; the local Dutch Foundation; the local Middle East Foundations; the local NSCC; and Swissboring, part of Italy’s Trevi Group.

The contract covers excavation work, digging and installing more than 1 kilometre of diaphragm wall, the construction of about 150 metres of cut-off wall to prevent water flowing into the site, dewatering, and the demolition and re-routing of existing buildings and services in the area.

The project will be built along 3 kilometres of waterfront at Mina Zayed. It will include hotels with a total of 1,000 rooms, residential buildings with 500 apartments, a convention centre, a 10,000-seat indoor arena, a 3,000-seat amphitheatre and 25,000 square metres of shops (MEED 14:5:08).

US-based Gensler prepared the masterplan. The project is owned by Mubadala Real Estate & Hospitality, part of Abu Dhabi government-owned investment vehicle Mubadala Development Company.

The scheme forms part of a 150-acre urban waterfront redevelopment. This is a major element in Abu Dhabi’s plans to become a tourism destination.

Abu Dhabi-based Aldar Properties has prepared a masterplan for the Mina Zayed area.

Other tourism-led projects in Abu Dhabi are the $27bn Saadiyat Island and the $40bn Yas Island development including a Formula One motor racing track.