MANAMA, 25 December 2007 — Gulf Holding Company (GHC) has awarded the $216 million Downtown Al-Areen construction contract to Ahmed Mansoor Al-A’ali Company (AMAC) on a design-build basis.
Under the terms of the contract, AMAC will be responsible for construction of the main boulevard including retail, residential areas, offices, supermarket and hotel.
Construction will begin in the first quarter of next year and is scheduled for completion at the end of 2009. The agreement is seen as a milestone development marking significant forward movement on Bahrain’s first truly downtown district: Downtown Al-Areen.
Ahmed Al-Ameer, GHC vice-chairman and chief executive officer, said: “Downtown Al-Areen was conceived with the aim of providing Bahrain with its first truly downtown district and in the process significantly contributing to the Kingdom’s booming tourism sector. The award of this contract marks a significant forward movement toward making this goal a reality.
“Given the nature and scope of this strategic project, it was absolutely essential that we appoint the best qualified partners, especially those with vast local experience.”
Sprawling over 260,000 square meters, the downtown area is a singular mixed-use model of sustainable urban development which is expected to galvanize the tourism appeal, attracting a wider range of visitors to the country and the region.
The project will include a town square, the first of its kind in the region, in addition to a school, recreational facilities and retail outlets. Jalal Al-Al A’ali, AMAC vice-chairman and chief executive officer, said: “We are extremely glad and proud to have been selected by GHC to undertake this prestigious Downtown Al-Areen assignment.
AMAC is one of the largest and longest established contracting and construction companies in Bahrain.
