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Burj Khalifa: now a new building aims higher. |
The green light is on for the world's soon-to-be tallest building, Saudi Arabia's Kingdom Tower; that's also expected to signal a new phase of building development across the country.
The US$1.2 billion contract award to local developer Saudi Binladin Group to build the tower in Jeddah could be a defining moment in the kingdom's construction sector.
Binladin contracted with Saudi investment vehicle Kingdom Holding Company to deliver what will be an iconic project. When completed, the 1 km high tower will replace the 828 m Burj Khalifa in Dubai as the tallest structure in the world.
When work begins on Kingdom Tower it's expected to provide a significant catalyst for "mega projects" in the pipeline.
Dubai-based Emaar Properties, developer of Burj Khalifa is also managing the development of Kingdom Tower, as well as the surrounding 23 sq km Jeddah Kingdom City for Kingdom Holding.
State-owned Kingdom Holding approved the plans for the tower in early April, with US-based Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill Architecture selected to design the structure. It will contain hotels, offices, residential apartments and a shopping centre.
This development holds clear opportunities for overseas professional firms, including those in Hong Kong, to provide expertise on planning, construction and fitting the project, as was evident by Hong Kong-based Far East Global Group Limited providing the glass facade for Burj Khalifa.
New Kuwait passenger terminal
Another example of the rising regional demand for expertise is news that Kuwait is to build a new airport passenger terminal.
Designed by Foster + Partners, the new terminal will be located south of the existing terminal between the two runways.
The Kuwaiti Public Works Ministry expects to set a new environmental benchmark for airport buildings, inspired through local forms and materials.
The new terminal building will consist of three symmetrical wings of departure gates, each spanning 1.2 km. The project is targeting the green internationally-recognised LEED Gold Standard and aims to be the first passenger terminal in the world to achieve this.
The planned US$747 million terminal will have an initial capacity for 13 million passengers per year with the flexibility to increase this to 25 million in the next phase, with an ultimate capacity of 50 million passengers per year.
The terminal is scheduled to open in November 2016 and Kuwait's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will be inviting companies to submit prequalification documents for the construction of the new project.
from Mutaz Basha, Dubai Office
(Image courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/dblight)
