Lamar Investment and Real Estate Development Company, a leading real estate developer based in Saudi Arabia, has awarded an external façade contract worth SR200 million ($53 million) to UAE-based Technical Glass and Aluminium Company, for its upcoming project in Jeddah.

The SR1.725 billion ($459 million) Lamar Towers development is being jointly developed by the Saudi firm and Drake & Scull International (DSI), a regional market leader in the integrated design, engineering and construction sector, on a 34,800 sq m plot of land.

The awarding of the external façade contract marks the next phase in the construction of the remarkable twin structures.

The Lamar Towers project boasts a built up area of 409,770 sq m on Jeddah Corniche, and comprises two-high rise towers sitting atop a 13-floor curved podium.

Tower T1 and T2 measure 322 meters and 293 meters in height and comprise 57 and 49 storeys respectively. Upon completion, the mixed-use commercial and residential towers will offer a unique lifestyle at the highest level of living standards, a remarkable stylish housing and a gateway for modern and contemporary businesses in the Kingdom for international companies.

Progress on the project has been on schedule and DSI has been able to complete concrete works on nearly 65 floors on both towers combined, as well finish construction works on five levels of shared parking, and twelve levels of the shared podium structure.

Work on the façade is scheduled to start in the second half with the landscaping works set to begin in early 2016. To date, DSC has utilized over 24,000 cu m of concrete and 6500 tonne of steel on site.

As per the deal, the Technical Glass and Aluminium Company’s scope of work includes the design and supply of glass and aluminum and all the façade works of the prestigious towers including the unitised curtain walls, precast, stone panel and the cladding panel.

Bakr R. Nazer, the CEO and managing director of Lamar Investment & Real Estate Development Company, expressed delight at having reached a significant milestone in the progress of the Lamar Towers.

"The Lamar Towers work is progressing and the project is rapidly realising the architectural vision that inspired and motivated us to embark on this iconic venture," he noted.

"Our association with Drake & Scull has been a pioneering success and the fusion of the two companies’ synergies has delivered significant results on this remarkable project," stated Nazer.

"Reaching the stage of awarding the curtain wall construction is a tremendous achievement for both companies and marks the transition into the next exciting phase of the march towards the completion of construction activities on the two towers," he added.  

Khaldoun Tabari, the chief executive and vice-chairman of DSI, said: "The creation of the curtain wall is a major stage in the construction lifecycle of any project. As a co-developer and the general contractor on this project, the Lamar Towers Project is a vital showcase of our technical construction and engineering prowess."

"With Drake & Scull Construction KSA and Technical Glass and Aluminium Company combining their respective strengths and leveraging their considerable skills and experience, we remain confident that we will achieve the lofty ambitions and standards that are expected of a project of this magnitude and the Lamar Towers will prove to be a worthy addition to the dynamic and prosperous city of Jeddah,” he added.

Hisham Hassan, the managing partner of Technical Glass and Aluminium Company, said: "Our storied regional experience gained on iconic landmarks like the Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies, Sidra Medical Hospital, Carnegie Mellon University, Science and Technology Park, Al Habtoor City, Al Jazeera Tower, Al Fardan Tower, MAG Tower, Yas Marina racing track, Fairmont Hotel and Sheikh Hazza Stadium will come to the fore and the Lamar Towers will be a strong testimonial to our skills and expertise."

"We look forward to collaborating with Drake & Scull Construction KSA and help take the project forward into the final stretch of completion," he added.-TradeArabia News Service