Work on Dar Al-Funoon, a cultural development near the Saadiyat Cultural District in Abu Dhabi, has started, according to a report.

Abu Dhabi-based piling contractor APCC Piling & Marine Contracting has started the enabling works for the project, commissioned by the Department of Culture & Tourism – Abu Dhabi. It was designed by the late Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry, the MEED report said.

The venue is scheduled to open in 2030.

The complex will feature a multipurpose hall with more than 2,000 seats, a 3,500-seat open-air amphitheatre, a 400-seat studio theatre and a 250-seat jazz venue, bringing total capacity to more than 6,000 across its performance spaces.

The venue will host leading international productions, delivering high-quality cultural experiences for audiences locally, regionally and globally.

Upon completion, it will become one of the region’s largest performing arts venues.