Sorouh announces infrastructure shortlist for AED3.5bn Saraya

The 6 contractors who have been shortlisted to submit tenders for this infrastructure development are: Al Jaber Transport & General Contracting Est., Saif Bin Darwish, Mohamed Abdulmohsin Al-Kharafi & Sons, Al Geemi & Partners Contracting Company W.L.L., Copri Construction Enterprises Est. and Orascom Contracting Industries - Fujairah.

Saraya Abu Dhabi will consist of 28 mid and high rise residential and commercial towers ranging from 10 to 40 stories high, as well as a hotel with serviced apartments. Spread over a vast waterside site covering 125,000 square meters, the Saraya development will enhance the visual appeal of the Corniche and improve perceptions of the city.

This luxurious mixed use development was master planned by PTW Architects of Australia. The Infrastructure and conceptual and detailed designs of the Landscaping works will be prepared by Rafik El Khoury and Partners (UAE) in collaboration with Cansult Maunsell (UAE) and Site Image.

"Residents of Saraya will enjoy a perfect balance between city centre convenience and waterside living." commented Mounir D. Haidar, Sorouh Real Estate CEO. "Additionally, considering its central location, Saraya offers a high level of open space, formal water bodies, playgrounds, picnic areas, meditation and exercise spaces and a full network of walkways and jogging trails."

"Saraya Abu Dhabi is planned to be the most desirable mixed use developments in Abu Dhabi. With a masterplan featuring water current themes, the buildings and landscape will flow as a single unified design." added Dr. Adnan Sahli, Executive Director of Projects for Sorouh Real Estate.

Work on Saraya Abu Dhabi is planned to commence by the close of 2007. The 28 residential and commercial towers will be constructed over two phases the first being completed in 2010 and the second in 2013.

"We selected PTW to master plan this project because of their outstanding international reputation for delivering high quality design and planning solutions for waterfront property, their experience in designing projects featuring environmentally sustainable architecture and their track record in master-planning buildings for balanced commercial, cultural and public uses,"

"Since we had a very positive response to our invitation to bid for the infrastructure work we can look forward to pairing a construction industry leader with world class designers on this project". added Dr. Sahli.

"We are aware of the importance of this project to the city and we are working hard with our planners, architects and contractors to ensure that the Saraya development significantly enhances the visual impact of the Corniche," concluded Haidar.