Drake & Scull International (DSI), a regional leader in the integrated design, engineering and construction, said its subsidiary Drake & Scull Engineering (DSE) has won two major contracts for the Saraya Aqaba Resort in Jordan for a combined value of Dh259 million ($70.5 million)

A consortium comprising Arabtec, the UAE’s leading construction company; Consolidated Contractors Company, the largest engineering and construction company in the Middle East; and Drake & Scull Construction, the general contracting business stream of DSI, is the main contractor for the Saraya Aqaba Resort.

Under the terms of the agreement, DSE will provide complete MEP services for two 5-star hotels managed by Dubai-based international hospitality chain - Jumeirah Group, two 5-star hotels run by Starwood Hotels & Resorts, a leading global chain of hotels, and 12 uniquely designed luxury villas. Additionally, DSE will undertake the complete design, supply and installation work for a district cooling plant with a total capacity of 8,000 TR along with the seawater intake and pumping station for the entire resort. Both projects are already under progress and are expected to be completed by the end of 2015.

Khaldoun Tabari, DSI CEO and vice-chairman, said: “The project award demonstrates our expertise and capability in delivering projects of large scale and prestige all across the region. Drake & Scull Construction is currently undertaking the general contracting works at Saraya Aqaba which is progressing on schedule, and the additional scope for Drake & Scull Engineering demonstrates our capability to develop projects in the greater Levant region. The project win is key to our strategic expansion plans in Jordan, which is currently witnessing a resurgence in the real estate sector. We expect to be among the key players in the country’s construction sector as we consolidate our position as preferred partners through all our business streamlines.”

The Saraya Aqaba Resort is a premium hotel and leisure development located on the Gulf of Aqaba in Jordan. The man-made lagoon will add almost 1.5 km of beachfront to Aqaba city lying on the Red Sea. The massive project encompasses luxurious hotels managed by world-class hospitality operators, upscale retail outlets at Souk Saraya, specialty restaurants, a beach club, a kids club, Wild Wadi Aqaba Water Park by Jumeirah Group, and sports complex, among others.

Drake & Scull Engineering is currently executing the MEP scope of services at the St Regis Hotel, Amman for a value of Dh160 million which is scheduled for completion in 2016, the company said.

DSI's total project awards to date reached approximately Dh4 billion in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Algeria, Jordan, India Romania, Turkey and Egypt.  - Trade Arabia News Service