The Joint Venture will deliver MEP contract for Package 8 of Jewel of the Creek mixed-use development in Port Saeed, Dubai

UAE, 15 March, 2015 -  Habtoor Leighton Specon (HLS), a market leader in the design, engineering, procurement and construction of Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Energy and Power projects, and Drake & Scull Engineering (DSE), the subsidiary of Drake & Scull International PJSC, a regional market leader in the integrated design, engineering and construction disciplines of General Contracting, Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP), Water and Power, Rail, and Oil and Gas, and Water and Wastewater Treatment, have announced their agreement to jointly deliver the AED 395 million MEP contract on the 'Jewel of the Creek Package 8' complex. HLS has been nominated by Dubai International Real Estate (DIRE) as the MEP contractor of the prestigious project who has agreed with DSE to execute the works in a joint venture, combining the vigour and expertise of the two companies to deliver the project to the high standards of their esteemed Client.

The package forms a significant part of the AED 4.0 billion (USD 1.09 billion) Jewel of the Creek project being developed by Dubai International Real Estate. The project is a mixed-used development designed by Kling Consult and Kieferle & Partner Joint Venture (KCKP JV), after their winning entry to an international competition. The master-plan embraces the location, reflecting the waves and steady movement of the Creek.

Package 8 consists of five hospitality buildings ranging between 15 and 19 floors, featuring a hotel and serviced apartments buildings, a ballroom and an attached café; a marina, including four foot bridges and one vehicular bridge; and hard and soft landscaping works. The objective of the development is to transform the location into a vibrant urban centre and a prominent landmark in the heart of Dubai. The vision is to create a project of strong identification, a complex as a unit unparalleled along the Creek with functions linked to each other, yet each part of the development with its own expression and values.  The project will set a benchmark for future developments and it will be one of the much sought after addresses in Dubai.

The HLS - DSE JV will work under the Main Contractor of the project, the Habtoor Leighton Group (HLG), to deliver the MEP works of the package which consist of fit-out works in basements, complete MEP works for buildings including state-of-the-art systems associated with the latest technologies for smart and sustainable construction, and associated external works.    

Thrasos Thrasyvoulou, CEO and Managing Director of Habtoor Leighton Specon, quoted "The Jewel of the Creek project is of great significance to HLS and the wider Habtoor Leighton Group. We are honoured to have been selected as DIRE's MEP contractor of choice. We are looking forward to working closely with the Client, Consultants, the Main Contractor and our joint venture partners to deliver the project in a timely manner and to the highest standards of quality, safety, and sustainability." "This new award signifies the trust shown to HLS by prominent clients over the years for the delivery of high-end hospitality projects. It complements our excellent portfolio of landmark developments and takes our work-in-hand to over AED 3.6 billion (USD 1 billion), solidifying our position as one of the leading MEP players in the region."

Ahmad Al Naser, Managing Director of Drake & Scull Engineering LLC, stated: "DSI picked up AED 5.34 Billion worth of new projects in 2014 and our projects backlog stands at an all time high of AED 14.4 Billion. We are committed to playing a key role in the ongoing preparations for World Expo 2020 through our involvement in several iconic additions to Dubai's landmarks. The Jewel of the Creek is an ambitious and fresh project that will enable us to showcase DSE's exceptional engineering expertise and help augment Dubai's hospitality and M.I.C.E. portfolio."

"On a broader scale, the UAE represents one of our bigger markets and so we anticipate further growth in our backlog here. Our integrated engineering solutions will definitely have an impact on the directions of UAE infrastructure and property development, as will be proven by our ongoing work on major projects such as the Mall of the Emirates Expansion, Habtoor City, Louvre Museum, Maliha Hospital, Danat Al Emarat Hospital, and the Plaza View Development. Moving forward, we intend to contribute to the UAE's rail development agenda as well by combining DSE's technological superiority, talented workforce and global footprint with Drake and Scull Rail's proven record in delivering turnkey rail construction and maintenance solutions," Al Naser concluded.

Construction work on Jewel of the Creek Package 8 has commenced and completion is targeted for Q2, 2017.

-Ends-

About Habtoor Leighton Specon
Habtoor Leighton Specon (HLS) is a partnership between the Habtoor Leighton Group and Specon Ltd and is one of the leading Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) specialist construction companies in the region, with vast experience in turn-key MEP projects.

With more than three decades of experience in the regional MEP sector, HLS key personnel have delivered landmark projects including airports, hotels, hospitals, commercial and residential towers, universities, military developments, HV/MV substations and overhead transmission lines. HLS' experience spans all sectors of the construction industry and includes proven capability across the full spectrum of Engineering Services for buildings and infrastructure.

HLS holds in-house capability in high & medium voltage (HV/ MV) and extra-low voltage technologies (ELV), as well as in the fields of Rail & Metro, Energy & Power, including renewable energy power generation (solar) and other green and sustainable solutions, and Oil & Gas. 

HLS employs more than 5,000 people across the region and has the capability to deliver complex projects using industry's best practices and modern construction and project planning techniques. HLS is certified to ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2005 and OSHAS 18001:2007 standards and is committed to providing a safe, healthy, environmentally friendly and sustainable project experience for its employees, clients and members of the public.   

About Drake & Scull International PJSC
Drake & Scull International PJSC (DSI) is a regional market leader delivering world class quality projects via end to end solutions that provide integrated design, engineering and construction disciplines of General Contracting, Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP), Water and Power, Rail, Water and Wastewater Treatment, Waste to Energy and Oil and Gas, through People, Innovation, and Passion.

DSI established its first office in Abu Dhabi in 1966, and has since expanded operations to encompass offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Algeria, Iraq, India, Thailand, as well as managing projects in Europe and other parts of North Africa.

DSI's main business streams include Drake & Scull Engineering, which serves as the MEP and Water & Power arm, Drake & Scull Construction (DSC), which is the General Civil Contracting unit, Drake & Scull Oil & Gas, which undertakes oil pipelines and related petrochem projects, Drake & Scull Rail, Germany based Passavant Energy & Environment which focuses on Water and wastewater treatment as well as waste to energy and Drake and Scull Development, focusing on the Infrastructure sector.

In 2008, DSI offered 55% of its shares to the public and the IPO was oversubscribed 101 times. Ernst & Young ranked the IPO among the top 20 global IPOs in 2008.

DSI has since then used the funds to integrate, establish and acquire businesses that complement its corporate strategy of expansion into new markets, via organic and inorganic growth.

The fully Integrated Management Systems, certified to ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2005 and OSHAS 18001:2007 standards are compliant with leading building, health and safety regulations, as well as sound environmental and energy management procedures.

DSI is a leader through experience, and has established a regional leadership position over 48 years of successfully completing the most complex projects on time, within budgets and matching set quality parameters.

DSI has delivered more than 700 projects around the world in the last five decades catering to aviation, residential, mixed use, power plants, district cooling plants, hospitality, healthcare, renewable energy, data centers, petrochemical, rail, commercial, government, leisure, and infrastructure sectors.

For further information, please contact:
Rabih Abou Diwan
Corporate Communications Manager
Drake & Scull International
Mobile: +971 52 800 34 12
Rabih.aboudiwan@drakescull.com

Orient Planet PR & Marketing Communications
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel:  00971 4 4562888
Email: media@orientplanet.com
Website: www.orientplanet.com 

© Press Release 2015