Aldar awards Dh125 million Yas Island deal to DSI

Aldar Properties yesterday awarded Drake & Scull International (DSI) a Dh125 million mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) contract for two hotels to be built on Yas Island in the UAE capital.

The properties, the Yas Island Rotana Resort and Centro by Rotana, are part of a Dh147 billion development project by Aldar.

"We are delighted to partner one of the leading developers in the UAE," said Khaldoun Rashid Tabari, CEO of Dubai-based DSI. "These projects are a great opportunity for us to strengthen our presence in Abu Dhabi and to demonstrate our capabilities and experience in providing fast-tracked MEP solutions that are reliable, efficient and cost-effective."

DSI will supply, install, test and commission the complete fresh and extract air ventilating and air-conditioning works as well as the power distribution, plumbing, drainage and fire-fighting systems for the projects.

It will supply and install the internal chilled water supply return system, domestic water storage tanks, domestic water filtering and cooling systems and hot and cold water distribution system. In addition DSI will supply and install a chemical dosing, smoke extract, lighting control, lightening protection, aircraft warning light, background music, audio-video, CCTV and security control systems.

The Yas Island Rotana Resort is expected to open in July 2009 and will have 308 rooms and suites along with a wide range of food and beverage outlets, conference and banquet facilities and a fitness centre.

Centro, Rotana's budget brand, is also expected to open in 2009 and will offer 259 rooms. It will include a deli-style dining option, a gymnasium and swimming pool together with on-site business facilities such as private meeting rooms and a business centre.

Yas Island occupies a total land area of 2,500 hectares and will feature attractions such as a motorsport racetrack, signature hotels, the Ferrari World theme park, a Warner Bros water theme park and a 300,000 square metres retail development.

There will be links and parkland golf courses, lagoon hotels, marinas, apartments, villas and numerous F&B outlets that will create a unique international tourist destination.

DSI projects include the Shangri-La hotel in Abu Dhabi, Park Place Tower, Indigo Tower, Rashid Hospital Trauma Centre, Zayed University Campus, Dubai Police Headquarters, JBR District Cooling plant and the Dubai Festival City district cooling scheme.