Dhabi Contracting has been appointed the main contractor for Wadi Walk, a key component of Dubai's City of Arabia.

City of Arabia is a $5 billion retail, residential, commercial and entertainment destination within the Dubailand development.

Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari Group, the owners of City of Arabia, awarded the contract to Dhabi Contracting to build the city’s Mediterranean style low-rise apartments and waterfront community, following competitive bidding.

With soil testing, excavation and shoring works already complete, Dhabi Contracting is now mobilising on site, and is commencing foundation works for Wadi Walk.

Ilyas Galadari, chairman of the Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari Group, said: “We are excited to announce Dhabi Contracting as the main contractor for Wadi Walk.  We are confident with our decision as they are a skilled team who will deliver the project at the highest standard.”

Mustafa Galadari, vice chairman and managing director of Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari Group, said: “We already have an excellent relationship with Dhabi Contracting, in their role as the main contractor on site for Mall of Arabia, which is progressing well, and we are looking forward to strengthening our business links.”

Sami Edwards, managing director of Dhabi Contracting, said: “With around 1,000 workers and 40 engineers on site for Mall of Arabia, we have now introduced approximately 500 more to build Wadi Walk.”

“This contract agreement is a continuation of our relationship with the Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari Group, and we are all excited to see Wadi Walk come to life.”

Wadi Walk, a vibrant waterfront community set along a meandering 8-km canal, will provide residents and visitors with a huge range of retail outlets, cafes and restaurants, and ample space to stroll and relax.

Acting as the focal point of the development, the canal will be kept to a deep blue colour and will maintain pristine quality by 11 water filtration plants sunk within the basement. Visitors will be able to cruise the waterway aboard fleets of water taxis, which are electronically powered to eliminate noise and pollution, and can travel the canal from Wadi Walk to Mall of Arabia.

The development is also designed to restrict traffic flow, with cars and other vehicles diverted to the rear of the apartment buildings where there will be ample car parking for residents, shoppers and diners.

Visitors arriving via the Dubai Metro can transfer quickly to City of Arabia’s own monorail system, for a short onward journey to other destinations within City of Arabia. – TradeArabia News Service