Construction work on the first phase of Universal Studio is expected to start by October after the appointment of the main contractor.
According to Building and Construction Network – a construction project information database, the main contractor for the southern section of the Dh8billion Universal City project will be announced during the next few weeks. Tatweer, the master developer for Dubailand had called on contractors to apply for the tender earlier in May.
According to sources, the contract for shoring and piling work is yet to be awarded. "Shoring and piling work should commence soon after the contract is awarded. By October, the construction work should commence," said the official. Several contractors are in the lead to construct Dubailand's first theme park when it completes in December 2010.
The two-year contract involves the construction of a theme-park, retail area, and four hotels. Two of the hotels will be five-star properties, one with 200 rooms the other with 300. The other two hotels will be four-star with 400 rooms.
The total built-up area will be about 1.5 million sqm. The northern section of the development will be residential.
Universal City will be built in three phases. According to Parsons Brinckerhoff Middle East, the project manager, the design on the first phase is complete but the design of the second and third phase are yet to be completed.
In April, Pierre Y Paquette, project director at PB Middle East Limited had told Emirates Business that earthwork on four luxury hotels had started along with the boulevard.