Key contract covers the construction of Phase 1B of Msheireb Downtown Doha project
Qatar, December 6, 2011 - Msheireb Properties announced today that it has appointed a consortium of Carillion (Qatar) plc and Qatar Building Company as the main building contractor for a key phase of its flagship project, Msheireb Downtown Doha. Under the agreement, the joint venture Carillion Qatar Building Company (CQBC) is to carry out and complete all the substructure and superstructure works of Phase 1B.
The awarding of the contract, valued at QAR 2.37 billion (£395 million), represents a major milestone in the QR20 billion Msheireb Downtown Doha development. Phase 1B comprises 15 buildings, including the country's first Mandarin Oriental Hotel comprising 158 rooms and 91 service apartments, two office buildings with 52 retail units and 12 residential buildings providing a total of 180 apartments.
Eng. Issa M. Al Mohannadi, CEO of Msheireb Properties, said: "With the awarding of this contract, the ambitious plans for our capital's regeneration move closer to being fully realised. What we are building here is more than a collection of buildings - it is a whole community, one which will be fully aligned with Qatar's National Vision 2030 for a sustainable country.
"In line with our commitment to sustainable development, CQBC has been tasked with delivering the project to the highest environmental design standards. When finished, the sustainable buildings in this phase will consume less resources and cost less to operate while providing healthier living and working environments for everyone - both indoors and out. This will benefit both the environment and all of its citizens for years to come. Such joint ventures between international and local contractors have been part of our strategy to help develop and grow local capabilities and expertise."
Carillion's sector-leading capabilities in delivering sustainable solutions will play a key role in delivering this project, to meet the objectives of Msheireb Properties in achieving a "Platinum to Gold" rating under the LEED Green Building Rating system of the U.S. Green Building Council.
Commenting, Carillion Group Chief Executive, John McDonough, said: "We are delighted to have been selected to deliver this prestigious project, which will make a major contribution to the regeneration of the centre of Doha. We look forward to working with Msheireb Properties to deliver a visionary solution that will meet the high standards of sustainability that have been set for this transformational development."
QBC's Managing Director, Mr. Ali M. T. Mustafawi, commented: "Our sincerest thanks to Msheireb Properties for giving us an opportunity to work on such an iconic project of this magnitude. Msheireb Downtown Doha will be the perfect example of how sustainable engineering is employed to develop an urban regeneration project that preserves the Qatari culture."
Construction at Msheireb Downtown began in January 2010, phased construction completion scheduled for 2012 through 2016. First phase of Msheireb Downtown Doha is Phase 1A, which consists of Diwan Amiri Quarter (Diwan Annex, Amiri Guard and National Archive), Heritage buildings and Amenity & Infrastructure (District Cooling Plant, Substations and Service Corridors). Msheireb Properties will also preserve several existing heritage sites, including houses dating back to the beginning of the last century.
Msheireb Downtown Doha will revive the old commercial heart of the city through a new architectural language across a 31 hectare (76 acre) site. The Msheireb Downtown project blends traditional Qatari heritage and aesthetics with modern technology, and a focus on sustainability and harmony with the environment. The aim of the project is to bring people back to their roots - to make Doha unique and rediscover a sense of community and togetherness.
The regeneration project involves meticulous attention to detail from a sustainable design perspective. The aim is to create a modern Qatari landscape that is rooted in traditions, with a nod to natural elements. The project evokes local culture to find social meaning and values that were once embedded in local life.
After years of car-driven urban expansion, the project reverses the trend by putting people first and cars second within a thriving community. Demonstrating that there is a strong desire for healthy outdoor activities, the Msheireb project offers a real alternative to air-conditioned existence in energy-hungry steel and glass structures.
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About Msheireb Properties
Msheireb Properties is a real estate company and a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation. The company was established as a commercial venture to support the Foundation's aims, as well as the goals of Qatar's 2030 Vision. Msheireb Properties' mission is to change the way people think about urban living and improve their overall quality of life, through innovations that encourage social interaction, respect for culture, and greater care for the environment.
Msheireb Properties spent three years researching Qatari architecture and numerous approaches to urban planning all over the world with the most respected experts in the industry - in order to realise an architectural language rooted in the best of the past that may be preserved for and by future generations. The company's name, Msheireb, means 'a place to drink water' and is the historical name of the downtown area of Doha. The company's corporate identity depicts the mouth of a stone well, a feature of traditional Gulf societies, and its distinct ink effect evokes classical Arabic calligraphy.
Msheireb Properties recently achieved ISO certification from the British Standards Institution for quality (ISO 9001:2008), environmental performance (ISO 14001:2004), and occupational health and safety (BS OHSAS 18001:2007). The company has also earned widespread industry recognition, including at the MIPIM Architectural Review Future Projects Awards in Cannes, France. In May 2011 Msheireb Properties launched a dynamic research project with the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. This joint exercise will examine the potential for sustainable urban development in the Gulf and produce a shared intellectual resource, the Gulf Encyclopedia for Sustainable Urbanism, to encourage best practice.
www.msheirebproperties.com
About Carillion
Carillion is a leading integrated support services company with a substantial portfolio of Public Private Partnership projects and extensive construction capabilities. The Group had annual revenue in 2010 of £5.1 billion, employs around 50,000 people and operates across the UK, in the Middle East and Canada.
The Group has four business segments.
- Support services - this includes facilities management, facilities services, energy services, utility services, road maintenance, rail services and consultancy services.
- Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects - this includes our investing activities in PPP projects in our chosen sectors of Defence, Health, Education, Transport, Secure and other Government accommodation.
- Middle East construction services - this includes our building and civil engineering activities in the Middle East.
- Construction services (excluding the Middle East) - this includes our building, civil engineering and developments activities in the UK and our construction activities in Canada.
About Qatar Building Company
Qatar Building Company (QBC) is comprised of three divisions--civil engineering, materials production, and construction equipment--each designed especially for the infrastructure demands of the Qatari market.
For over 40 years, QBC has taken on major civil engineering and contracting projects for a broad client base including government agencies, international contractors, gas majors, and private developers.
With "Grade A" classifications in each contracting category of the Government Central Tenders Committee, QBC is qualified to undertake civil engineering projects of any size and complexity.
QBC is a proud sponsor of Qatar Football Association, and supporter of FIFA 2022 and the Qatari National Vision 2030.
For further information on Msheireb Properties please contact:
Chatura Poojari
+974 33257708
cabbasi@msheireb.com
Kamal Nasrallah
+974 66562779
k.nasrallah@asdaa.com
© Press Release 2011
