Sunday, Oct 30, 2011

(This story was originally published Saturday.)

DUBAI (Zawya Dow Jones)--Abu Dhabi government-owned real estate and resort developer, Tourism Development and Investment Co., or TDIC, said it decided to "extend the delivery dates" for the Saadiyat Cultural District museums including Zayed National Museum, Louvre Abu Dhabi and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, which are strategic components of the Abu Dhabi Government's vision for the Emirate.

"TDIC's initial plan was to open all these museums between 2013-2014; however, due to the immense magnitude of the work associated with the development of such consequential projects, the company has decided to extend the delivery dates. This will ensure that quality is not compromised, and allow each establishment the time needed to create its own identity on the local and international cultural stage," TDIC said in a statement Saturday.

TDIC said it remains committed to the delivery of the Saadiyat Cultural District museums and the delays should have a moderate impact on the delivery timeline of the museums.

"The company is currently working closely with its valued partners on the creation of the new delivery timeline and looks forward to announcing this in due course," it added.

TDIC stressed progress has been made on the museums, including finalised and detailed architectural designs, and all foundation and piling work.

It added the acquisition of the vast art collections that will be housed in each venue is already taking place, as well as the training of the expertise that will operate each institution.

Four years ago, Abu Dhabi received widespread international acclaim after it unveiled the plans to build a Louvre designed by Jean Nouvel, a Guggenheim by Frank Gehry, a national museum by Norman Foster and in collaboration with the British Museum, as the oil-rich emirate tried to promote itself internationally as a world centre for culture as well as business.

-By Tahani Karrar-Lewsley, Dow Jones Newswires; +9714 446-1692; tahani.karrar@dowjones.com

Copyright (c) 2011 Dow Jones & Co.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

30-10-11 0353GMT