17 Apr 2007
Abu Dhabi: Jumeirah, Dubai Holding's hospitality subsidiary, yesterday signed a contract to manage the new Dh3 billion beach-front development located in Khalideya area in Abu Dhabi.
Shaikh Suroor Bin Mohammad Al Nahyan has appointed Jumeirah to manage Jumeirah Etihad Towers as the Group's first hotel in the UAE capital.
Jumeirah Etihad Towers, developed by Shaikh Suroor Department of Special Projects (SSPD), will feature several towers including a hotel, an office building and serviced residences as well as commercial and retail space.
The project management for this prestigious new development is handled by Hill International, the assigned architects for the project are DBI and ACC is the main contractor.
Shaikh Suroor told Gulf News that he considering the cooperation with Jumeirah and other international companies to participate in developing two new projects in Saadiyat Island, and inshore tourism area.
"We expect that tourism will grow rapidly in Abu Dhabi in a few years - supported by the its government vision to make Abu Dhabi a regional destination of culture, tourism, environment friendly resorts, and a business centre," said Shaikh Suroor.
He added that Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority is playing a big role to promote the capital and attract more than three million tourists by 2015, and increase the recent hotel capacity.
Growing portfolio
Sami Al Khuwaiter, projects Director of SSPD, said that Shaikh Suroor will invest and announce tourist development worth Dh5 billion in 2007.
"We planned to invest between Dh700 million to Dh1 billion in a desert resort on Saadiyat Island," he added.
Scheduled to open late 2010, the 60 storey luxury hotel tower will comprise 400 beautifully appointed guest rooms and suites as well as 200 fully-serviced apartments varying from studios to spacious one, two and three bedroom apartments.
In addition, the development will include a high end shopping boulevard, extensive conference & banqueting facilities, a spa and sport & recreation facilities, which will be open to the hotel guests, residents and office tower tenants.
Located on Abu Dhabi's Corniche, the hotel will have a private beach for guests to enjoy.
Gerald Lawless, executive chairman of Jumeirah Group, said: "We are happy to manage this prestigious new development, in one of the region's most vibrant and fast developing cities.
"The Jumeirah Etihad Towers are a very prestigious addition to our growing portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts worldwide, and we at Jumeirah are looking forward to bringing our renowned Jumeirah hospitality to Abu Dhabi for the first time."
By Mohammad Ezz Al Deen
Gulf News 2007. All rights reserved.
