Construction begins on AED 8 billion 'Capital Centre' in Abu Dhabi

An AED 8 billion business and residential micro-city which will become the world's first fully networked exhibition and lifestyle destination.

The project is the largest development on the main island of Abu Dhabi and is being developed around the new Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) in a move to meet the increasing demand for commercial and residential facilities being generated by the successful exhibition centre.

On completion in early 2011, Capital Centre will house a new micro-city of 23 towers, including 6 branded hotels, 4 commercial buildings, 8 residential and serviced apartment complexes and 5 mixed use developments. Also featured in Capital Centre will be a 2.3km waterfront Marina Zone; a proposed monorail and the 'Galleria' - a shopping mall with restaurants, retail outlets, and cinemas.

The most distinctive feature of the development will be the iconic 35-storey Feature Tower that will include a 200 room five-star-plus hotel and 20,000 square metres of office and retail space. The Feature Tower, which has been widely praised for its architectural ingenuity, will rise from the ground in an iconic, curving form.

The 23 Towers that form the Capital Centre Micro-City will be located on the land currently occupied by Abu Dhabi's old exhibition venue, which is scheduled for demolition soon. The last ever event was staged at the old venue in January 2007 and the employees of Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company have recently vacated the building to move to new state-of-the-art offices, located in the historic Grandstand that has been fully refurbished and integrated into the new ADNEC.

Three bridges will connect Capital Centre to its Marina Zone, which will be specially equipped to house super-yachts and marine exhibitions. The Marina Zone will also encompass retail outlets, restaurants and entertainment facilities, providing investors with stylish low-rise residential offerings complete with scenic views of the canal.

Simon Horgan, Chief Executive Officer, ADNEC, said,

'Capital Centre is not just one of Abu Dhabi's most prestigious developments, it is one of the Middle East's most significant economic development projects. The site will become a new landmark of the UAE, combining the world's most modern exhibition centre, an iconic feature tower and striking Marina Zone all in one location.'

'As a thriving destination, Capital Centre will have a huge economic impact on Abu Dhabi; the development will directly support business, trade and investment, in addition to stimulating events which themselves encourage the tourism and hospitality sector,' Horgan added.

The project is located off Mussafah Road and Khaleej Al Arabi Street, in Abu Dhabi's diplomatic district, located only 15 minutes from Abu Dhabi's international airport and only 45 minutes from Jebel Ali Port in Dubai.

'There are some remarkable projects taking place in Abu Dhabi at the moment, a large proportion of which focus on positioning Abu Dhabi as a high-end tourist destination. Capital Centre's focus is business tourism and commerce, as such it perfectly complements other developments and is in line with the long term objectives of the Abu Dhabi Government,' concluded Horgan.

Capital Centre is being developed under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company and the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA).