Baniyas Investment and Development Company (BID) said the construction work for the first phase of its Dh3 billion ($817 million) Bawabat Al Sharq project, was progressing as per schedule with 40 per cent being completed.

The investment arm of Bani Yas Sports Club, BID, said the sub-structure for residential units at the mixed-use development under construction in Bani Yas city, was almost complete.

By the same token, the construction of the Bawabat Al Sharq destination mall, which is planned for a grand opening in December 2010, is also progressing fast with the sub-structure nearing completion, said a top official.

Wael Tawil, BID chief executive officer said: “We have achieved tremendous progress on the project, which reflects BID’s commitment to the Bani Yas community. One of the chief tenets of BID’s corporate strategy is our adherence to time-frames – the progress is reflective of this commitment, not to mention the all-round and meticulous care that we have lent to every aspect of this project.”

The first phase of the luxurious community project is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2010. It includes a total of 164 well-designed apartments and 56 luxury villas, comprising different villa types with several detached villas to meet the needs of different buyers, he explained.

The destination mall within Phase I, covering nearly 70,000 sq m, will feature 339 high profile retail outlets of fashion wear, electronics, neighborhood services, accessory outlets, jewelers in addition to a Carrefour hypermarket.

The mall will be spread across two floors and will include 2,245 parking spaces and 22 food outlets inclusive of restaurants and cafes. The mall is expected to be officially inaugurated in December 2010.

The overall project's construction is being overseen by well-established contractors. Target Engineering Construction Company, a leading EPC unit of Arabtec Holdings, is responsible for the construction of the phase 1.

Cansult Maunsell/AECOM is the landscaping design contractor while the overall design and architect is ‘World Planner Consultant Engineers’. Renowned Australian design firm, Saunders Global, are incharge of the mall’s interior design, Tawil added.-TradeArabia News Service