Consortium gets QR1.5bn Msheireb Downtown deal

Msheireb Properties, Qatar’s leading sustainable developer, has appointed Brookfield Multiplex Medgulf as the main building contractors responsible for a key section of the master plan of the QR20bn Msheireb Downtown Doha. Under the terms of the agreement, valued at QR1.5bn, Brookfield Multiplex Medgulf, a consortium of Brookfield Multiplex and Medgulf, will be responsible for the construction of all the substructure and superstructure works involved in Phase 1C of the project, the world’s first sustainable downtown regeneration project. Phase 1C incorporates a total constructed area of 225,000sqm, of which 122,000sqm are in three levels of basement housing 1,200 parking spaces, logistic and plant areas, including district cooling and a 66 KVA electrical substation. Above grade, Phase 1C will have 10 buildings comprising four office blocks with 30 ground-level retail outlets, five residential buildings, 51 apartments and a primary school with a day-care centre. Mohamed al-Marri, chief officer for design and delivery at Msheireb Properties, said: “With the award of this contract, we move closer to realising our vision of creating the world’s largest sustainable regeneration project. Enabling work on both Phase 1B and 1C is now completed, and building of foundations of Phase 1C is now progressing. “A joint venture between Canadian-owned Brookfield Multiplex and the local firm Medgulf has been engaged to deliver the project to the highest environmental standards. Such collaborations between international and local contractors have been part of our strategy to help develop and grow local capabilities and expertise.” Al-Marri said a unique mixed-use development, Msheireb Downtown Doha will consume fewer resources, generate less waste and operate more cost efficiently than a conventional development of a similar size thanks to its comprehensive sustainable design. Major infrastructure within Phase 1C will include a district cooling plant, a 66-kilovolt substation, a mobile telecommunication node and a hub for automated waste collection. Renier Breitenbach, general manager of Brookfield Multiplex Medgulf said: “We are privileged to have been selected to join the team developing Msheireb Downtown Doha. We hope to leave our mark on the project by delivering work to the highest standards. With so many ground-breaking achievements in the field of sustainable design and construction to its name, Msheireb Downtown Doha will be a great legacy for Qatar.” Construction of Msheireb Downtown Doha started in 2010 and the development will be completed in five phases from 2012. The QR1.55bn construction contract for the first phase of the project was awarded to a consortium between Hyundai Engineering & Construction Company and HBK Contracting Company. Drake & Scull Water & Power, part of Drake & Scull International, has been commissioned to build the project’s energy-efficient district cooling plants. The agreement with Brookfield Multiplex Medgulf follows the appointment of Carillion in March to complete building works on Phase 1B. The next procurement award to be announced will be for the sub- and superstructure works for Phase 2.