Dubai Expo 2020 construction consortium appointed
Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) has appointed a consortium to manage the delivery of all construction-related services related to Dubai's Expo 2020 venue.
A consortium of CH2M HILL and Mace has been hired for the Dubai Trade Centre Jebel Ali development - the master district that will host the prestigious Expo when the six month event debuts in October 2020.
US firm CH2M HILL and UK-based Mace formed a joint venture to bid for the tender, in competition with leading global firms with complex large-scale development and mega-event experience, a statement said without disclosing the value of the contract.
In August, Expo 2020 officials said the master planning for the 438-hectare site that includes the dedicated Dubai Expo 2020 area and a residential, hospitality and logistics zone was progressing well.
At its peak, the Dubai Expo 2020 exhibition site is designed to accommodate up to 300,000 visitors, with average week-day attendance expected at 153,000.
The statement added that core precincts on the site are being planned with a strong legacy focus minimising redundancy and expediting transition to the planned signature end-state development reflecting the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The companies said they aim to "create the prototype smart destination for 'purposeful innovation', retaining a core focus on youth and culture, establishing Dubai as a global city of the future".
The statement added that post Expo 2020, which runs until April 2021, the site "aims to continue to inspire the region's youth through the delivery of an inclusive environment that fosters cultural learning, collaborative co-creation and business in a complete destination proposition".
"Dubai Trade Centre Jebel Ali development will become a new focal point of global business tourism for the region, reinforcing the UAE's established position as an international destination fostering thought leadership across key sectors for economic development and a business networking hub through trade fairs, mega-events and conferences," according to the statement.
CH2M HILL-Mace brings a wealth of experience in the sport and events arena, having helped to deliver the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and is playing a strategic consulting role on Rio 2016.
Mace is the programme manager for the Qatar Public Works programmes and has provided strategic programme advice to the organising committee of Astana Expo 2017.
Within the region, both firms have independently delivered successes on major mixed use private sector and government projects including Jumeirah Beach Residences, Mall of the Emirates, Business Bay Development, Media City, Silicon Oasis, the ENEC Nuclear Programme and Masdar City.
Ahmed Al Khatib, director - Real Estate, DWTC, said: "In CH2M HILL and Mace we have a proven partner that we feel confident will enable the delivery of a state-of-the-art home for Expo 2020 Dubai.
"The success of the development is critically linked to its timely and efficient evolution to the planned legacy of Dubai Trade Centre - Jebel Ali, and we look forward to seeing this partnership with CH2M HILL-Mace support DWTC and Dubai in fulfilling this long term commitment."