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Dubai: Construction company Dubai Contracting has secured an undisclosed contract to build phase one of Mall of Arabia, the giant retail component of the $2 billion City of Arabia project in Dubailand.
The project will be one of the world's biggest shopping malls with 4.2 million square feet of retail space in phase one and an estimated 1,200 retail outlets.
It will be built over the next 21 months, involving more than 10,000 workers at its peak and requiring 545,000 cubic metres of concrete.
"We have worked hard to select the right people for the job and Dhabi Contracting has a reputation as a company who can deliver projects based on the right skill mix and equipment resources."
Mustafa Galadari, vice chairman and managing director of City of Arabia developer Elyas and Mustafa Galadari Group, said in a statement.
When complete, the mall will have access to the Restless Planet dinosaur theme park and will be linked to the rest of the complex - a mix of hotels, commercial and residential units, restaurants and shops - by small electrically powered boats.
The company said 85 per cent of the mall's total leasable area has been committed to retailers.
Big players
Those who have secured space include major retail conglomerates such as Azadea Group, Al Tayer Group and Landmark Group.
Sami Edward, general manager, Dhabi Contracting, said the company's successful contract bid is a boost for the UAE's construction industry.
He added that the project presents a "major logistical challenge". It will involve 4,000 labourers, 120 engineers and 21 tower cranes, he said.
"It is a challenge that Dhabi Contracting is well prepared to meet, proving that local contracting companies are well able to achieve the high standards required by mega projects such as this one," said Edward.
City of Arabia is one of the region's largest private projects, and a key development in Dubailand.
Being built on 20 million square feet of land in Downtown Dubailand, the project will include the Mall of Arabia, the Restless Planet (a dinosaur theme park), a 10 kilometre long Wadi Walk with apartments, cafes and shops beside a canal, and 34 tower blocks for mixed commercial, hotel and residential use.
The project will, when completed, provide accommodation for around 35,000 residents.
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