Hill International’s original contract extended

Hill’s original contract was worth Dh11.6 million and the new three-year extension has an estimated value of Dh29.8m. Etihad Towers is a mixed-use development located on the coastline of Khalidyah in Abu Dhabi.

“We are honoured to have been chosen to manage such an exciting project,” said Raouf S Ghali, President of Hill’s Project Management Group. “Etihad Towers is another step forward in making Abu Dhabi a world-renowned business and resort destination.”

The development comprises five towers ranging from 49 to 76 stories above a five-level podium with a built-up area of 519,000 square metres. Construction is expected to be completed by December 2010.

Etihad Towers will consist of three residential towers, one hotel/serviced apartment tower and an office tower incorporating more than 65,000 metres of leasable area. Including a retail podium, the towers will be united by a basement car park of four levels, with a capacity for 3,000 cars.

The 60-storey luxury hotel tower will comprise 400 guest rooms and suites as well as 200 fully serviced apartments varying from studios to one, two and three-bedroom apartments.

In addition, the development will include a high-end shopping boulevard, conference and banqueting facilities, a spa and sport and recreation facilities, which will be open to hotel guests, residents and tower tenants.

The hotel will have a private sandy beach for guests. Construction of the tower started in 2007 with Arabian Construction Company as the main contractors. The 40-month contract also includes the construction of the retail podium and parking, as well as external and marine works. Australia’s DBI Design won the lead design consultant contract for architecture, interior design and landscape architecture.

Abu Dhabi Central Bank will provide a term loan facility of Dh2.4bn for 15 years.