Sultan Bin Tahnoon in 'The Quay' site inspection

Sheikh Sultan toured the site and was briefed on the waterfront project by His Excellency Abdullah Al Masaood, Chairman of Abu Dhabi's Al Masaood Group and of Khor Abu Dhabi Property Development (KADPD) LLC, the consortium which has partnered TDIC to develop 'The Quay.'

Designed as a world-class tourism, residential and commercial shoreline hub, 'The Quay' is being developed on 1.5 million square feet of waterfront next to the capital's Meridien Hotel. Site clearance is now complete, a site office is in place and KADPD says it is in final negotiations with a main contractor it expects to appoint within the next month.

KADPD has also appointed Cansult Maunsell Limited (CML) (formerly Cansult Limited) who, following the recent merger with Maunsell/Aecom, is considered a world leader in design and project management services, and the largest consultancy group currently operating in the Middle East. CML will undertake Project Management, Design Review and Site Supervision for the complete development, which is designed to deliver a unique urban experience.

"This will be a key asset for Abu Dhabi and its ambitions as an international up-scale tourism destination," said HE Sheikh Sultan.

'The Quay' has been master planned by Australia's award-winning The Cox Group and has been inspired by some of the world's best ocean settings.

"We anticipate breaking ground for construction within the next two months," said Abdullah Al Masaood. "This is a huge undertaking representing the single largest urban development scheme in the UAE. Enabling works should be complete within nine months for structural construction to commence."

When complete, in 2009, 'The Quay' will feature a 620-room five-star hotel, which will also house serviced apartments, and will overlook an active, 60-berth marina.

The destination will also boast a new lifestyle retail centre housing Abu Dhabi's first aquarium, gated residential community of around 400 leased luxury apartments, and 592,000 square feet of quayside office space housed in two, 20-storey towers. 'The Quay's' marina will be central to a public promenade which will be animated by a waterfront entertainment and food precinct with a range of fashionable, harbour-view cafes and restaurants. It will have car parking for 3,600 vehicles and substantial, landscaped public spaces.