ABU DHABI, 15 June 2007 — Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company has announced that the construction has recently started on the AED 8 billion Capital Center development — the world’s first fully networked exhibition and lifestyle destination by 2011.
The project is the largest development on the main island of Abu Dhabi and is being developed around the new Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC) in a move to meet the increasing demand for commercial and residential facilities being generated by the successful exhibition center.
On completion in early 2011, Capital Center will house a new micro-city of 23 towers, including 6 branded hotels, 4 commercial buildings, 8 residential and serviced apartment complexes and 5 mixed-use developments.
Also featured in Capital Center will be a 2.3km waterfront Marina Zone, a proposed monorail and the “Galleria” — a shopping mall with restaurants, retail outlets, and cinemas.
The most distinctive feature of the development will be the iconic 35-story Feature Tower that will include a 200 room five-star plus hotel and 20,000 square meters of office and retail space. The Feature Tower, which has been widely praised for its architectural ingenuity, will rise from the ground in an iconic, curving form.
Simon Horgan, chief executive officer, ADNEC, said “Capital Center is not just one of Abu Dhabi’s most prestigious developments, it is one of the Middle East’s most significant economic development projects. The site will become a new landmark of the UAE, combining the world’s most modern exhibition center, an iconic feature tower and striking Marina Zone all in one location.” “As a thriving destination, Capital Center will have a huge economic impact on Abu Dhabi. The development will directly support business, trade and investment, in addition to stimulating events which themselves encourage the tourism and hospitality sector,” Horgan added.