Al Habtoor Engineering
National Bank of Abu Dhabi
Fresh from its key role in constructing one of the tallest buildings in Dubai, Burj Al Arab, Al Habtoor – Murray & Roberts is now building the tallest structure in Abu Dhabi
For many years now, the pages of Al Shindagah magazine have reported the overwhelming success story of Dubai’s construction industry. In a rapid time frame, Dubai has sprung out of the desert sands to become one of the most modern cities in the world, and its development shows no sign of slowing up in the 21st century as incredible structures continue to keep the city at the cutting edge of the construction world.
The new airport concourse, the Burj Al Arab, and the Tower No 1 building on Sheikh Zayed Road are just three of the landmarks that have caught the imagination of the world over the past 18 months.
But the modern architecture now taken for granted in Dubai looks set to spread to its big brother emirate of Abu Dhabi, and it is not surprising that the driving force behind the earlier mentioned trio of structural marvels is playing a key role in the new phase of development in the UAE’s capital city.
The Joint Venture created between Al Habtoor Engineering and Murray & Roberts has become a huge success story in its own right in the UAE.
Al Habtoor Engineering Enterprises, a locally owned company, and South African firm Murray & Roberts have pooled their expertise and resources over the past five years to compete for some of the biggest projects up for grabs, and the pioneering work that has been witnessed in Dubai is set to take Abu Dhabi by storm.
The Joint Venture is currently in the process of constructing the fabulous new National Bank of Abu Dhabi Building and will use this structure as a stepping stone to cementing its own business interests in the capital. At 173 metres tall, the National Bank of Abu Dhabi Building is set to become the tallest building in the capital, stretching seven metres higher than the current tallest construction which has dominated the picturesque corniche skyline for many years.
The design of the building will make it as eye-catching as its height when it is completed in June 2002 and at US$50 million, it is one of the most ambitious projects to have been undertaken in Abu Dhabi.
“It was a lengthy process trying to win this project but we are delighted to be involved with such a prestigious building,” said Ramsay Abbassi, Abu Dhabi Area Manager for Murray & Roberts. “Work started in December 1999 and we are confident it will be completed in time. The building is currently going up on the corner of Khalifa and Lulu Street and will consist of a total of 45,000 square metres. There will be a three level underground car park covering 10,000 square metres and the rest is in the super structure so that gives an idea of how big a building we are talking about.”