Dubai-based developer Wasl Asset Management Group has appointed the local Sobha Engineering & Contracting for work on its $150m Hyatt Port Views project in Dubai.

The main construction contract involves building three 10-storey buildings with retail and dining units as well as all associated facilities.

The local Stromek Emirates is the contractor for the enabling works.

The project is expected to be completed by mid-2018.

Wasl also recently invited firms to bid by 31 August for the contract to build its new high-rise project, Wasl Tower, on Dubai’s Sheikh Zayed Road.

The 60-storey tower will be about 300 metres tall and will feature the world’s tallest ceramic facade. It has been designed by sustainability expert Werner Sobek and architect Ben van Berkel.

In an interview with MEED earlier this year, the developer’s CEO Hesham al-Qassim, said that moving forward Wasl will look to focus on hospitality and leisure. “We are planning to develop 15 hotels leading to 2019 (5,000 hotel rooms) Before Expo 2020 we plan on having 10,000 rooms.” Al-Qassim also told MEED that he believes that there is a big mismatch in the hotel market. “More than 70 per cent [of hotel supply is currently] in the 5 star range. We need to change that equation to have more affordable hotel rooms for city visitors.”

In February, Wasl awarded the local Al-Basti & Muktha was awarded an estimated AED700m ($190m) deal for the construction of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Dubai. The project is owned by Dubai Real Estate Corporation (DREC) and the local Wasl Hospitality is the development manager.