Al Tafseer Contracting & General Maintenance Company awarded construction contract for the first phase of Cranleigh Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, October 27, 2013 - Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), master developer of major tourism, cultural and residential destinations in Abu Dhabi, has awarded the main construction work of its school, Cranleigh Abu Dhabi, which is set to open in Saadiyat island in 2014, to Al Tafseer Contracting & General Maintenance Company, a UAE-based construction firm. This marks another important milestone in the development of Saadiyat's educational portfolio demonstrating TDIC's commitment to develop high level education in Abu Dhabi.

Al Tafseer is scheduled to deliver the first phase of Cranleigh Abu Dhabi in time for the start of the academic school year in 2014, which includes building of the junior and senior schools, the dining halls, and the sports and swimming facilities by the end of July 2014. This comes following the completion of all piling and enabling works on site of the development. Cranleigh Abu Dhabi will be introduced to the Abu Dhabi community by a launch event on November 12, 2013 at the St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, which will showcase Cranleigh's 147 years of educational excellence and what it will be bringing to the Emirate.

Cranleigh Abu Dhabi, which is based on the ethos and curriculum of Cranleigh School, a leading UK independent school founded in 1865, will be the first school campus on Saadiyat. Built over seven hectares of land, with a capacity to accommodate more than 1,600 students, aged from three to 18 years, the school will be one of the largest school campuses in the emirate with open green spaces, extensive landscaping and an ambient environment. In addition, it will host co-educational facilities comprising separate Junior and Senior schools with each housing its own classrooms, faculty offices, administration offices, dining hall and library.

"I am delighted that our ground works are completed and that we are now building what will undoubtedly be one of the most impressive school campuses in the country. Admissions will open in November 2013 for children aged three - 14 and we are looking forward to opening our doors to them in September 2014 as scheduled," said Brendan Law, Director of Education at TDIC.

Cranleigh Abu Dhabi will be one of the premier educational institutions located on Saadiyat, such as New York University Abu Dhabi, which will open in 2014, and Redwood Saadiyat Nursery by Kids First Group which will open by the end of 2013 - providing all educational levels from pre-school to university on the island. Cranleigh Abu Dhabi will introduce a broad academic curriculum with emphasis on the individual; allowing students to explore their full range of talents in fine arts, performing arts, music, sports and cultural activities.

The school will house specialist facilities for music, science, art, design and technology, drama, dance, and sport classes, as well as state-of-the-art IT facilities with the latest technology including electronic tables provided for pupils. These will be complemented by a shared 650-seat auditorium, 2,900-square-metre sports centre and 19,300 square metres of outdoor fields with generously spacious recreational areas. The sporting facilities will include two grass pitches, an Astroturf pitch, four tennis courts, two swimming pools and an indoor arena comprising of two full-sized courts, which can be used for basketball, football, badminton, gymnasium, dance studio and drama suite.

Located next to Manarat Al Saadiyat and the UAE Pavilion in the Saadiyat Cultural District, Cranleigh Abu Dhabi will also offer boarding facilities - a first for the emirate. Various boarding arrangements in purpose-built houses - separate for males and females - will be offered, including full-boarding as well as individualised day and weekly boarding options.

Cranleigh Abu Dhabi's first-class facilities will complement the refined nature of every project on Saadiyat including the surrounding world-class educational and cultural institutions, such as New York University Abu Dhabi and the inspirational museums designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architects which will open starting with the Louvre Abu Dhabi in 2015, and followed by Zayed National Museum in 2016 and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi in 2017.

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About Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC)
Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), established in 2006 and fully owned by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, is a master developer of major tourism, cultural and residential destinations in Abu Dhabi.

These include Saadiyat, a natural island ten minutes drive from downtown Abu Dhabi featuring luxury resorts, championship beachfront golf courses, sophisticated residential communities, retail destinations and cultural institutions - designed by world-renowned Pritzker Prize-winning architects - such as Zayed National Museum, Louvre Abu Dhabi and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. TDIC is also developing Desert Islands, a heritage-based tourism destination composed of eight islands - Sir Bani Yas Island, the historical Dalma Island and the previously unexplored Discovery Islands.

TDIC has built a strong reputation among international industry players for its compelling value proposition, transparency of business approach and ability to deliver. The company has been awarded high investment grade ratings of A1, AA, and AA by three top credit rating agencies, Moody's, Standard & Poor's and Fitch Ratings, respectively. These ratings reflect TDIC's strong financial position and support the company's credit worthiness to investors, lenders and other market participants.

By creating investment partnerships and joint ventures, TDIC's developments are helping to support the Emirate's evolution into a world-class destination for tourists, businesses and residents. TDIC offers significant employment and vocational training opportunities for Emiratis keen to enhance their careers and professional qualifications.

For further information, please visit www.tdic.ae

Press Information
CONTACT  
Samia Badih  
PHONE  +971 2 6930690  
EMAIL  sbadih@tdic.ae

© Press Release 2013