Dubai-based property developer Omniyat said it has signed a three-year contract with Transguard Group, a leading business services provider, to handle facilities management (FM) services across its portfolio of Business Bay commercial properties, including The Opus, which was designed by internationally-renowned architect, the late Dame Zaha Hadid.

Under the Dh14.5-million (($3.94 million) deal, all the mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) maintenance, security, cleaning and soft services, are being outsourced to Transguard.

A joint venture between Emirates Group and Al Hail Holding company, the company was established in 2001 and is now the leading business support services provider in the region.

The agreement is part of a much larger consolidation of Omniyat’s service requirements across the developer’s commercial Business Bay portfolio, which comprises The Opus, One By Omniyat, Bayswater and The Binary towers. In total, 87 Transguard facilities management specialists will be deployed to deliver the contract.

After an exhaustive tender process, Transguard Group was selected as being equal to the challenge by the developer Omniyat and Clarity Owners Association Management to provide all the FM services across the Omniyat portfolio.

Lynne Wylie, the associate director for property management, Clarity Owners Association Management, explained the process of choosing a facilities management company for the Omniyat portfolio.

"Prior to the completion of The Opus by Zaha Hadid, we considered which company should be appointed for the facilities management for not just The Opus, but all of the buildings managed by Clarity for Omniyat," stated Wylie.

"We knew it had to be a company that directly provided all services. There are a limited number of companies in the UAE that have the capabilities to manage the prestigious buildings which Omniyat develop," she noted.

“Transguard have been in the market for a long time, and we trust they have the capabilities to deliver fully integrated facilities management services to the Omniyat buildings,” she added.

The near-100-m building sits on a plot size of over 151,000 sq ft with built-up area of 2 million sq ft. The tower will comprise a hotel, serviced residences and offices.

Amenities include a swimming pool, gym and spa as well as a range of food and beveraage (F&B) outlets, an internationally recognised nightclub and meeting and conference facilities.

Greg Ward, the managing director ofTransguard, said: "We have been working closely with Omniyat to design a bespoke IFS solution that addresses the current operational issues and concerns, and will enhance service delivery."

"Our integrated approach to building management positions Transguard as Omniyat’s FM service partner of choice, providing superior service and both direct and indirect cost benefits," stated Ward.

The latest addition to the Omniyat portfolio, The Opus by Zaha Hadid is located within minutes of the prestigious leisure and business districts of DIFC, Downtown Dubai, Dubai World Trade Centre and d3.

One of the most anticipated additions to Dubai’s skyline in recent years, The Opus was designed by Dame Zaha Hadid, who was celebrated for progressive designs that pushed the boundaries of architecture and urbanisation.

While The Opus marked Hadid’s first project in Dubai, she was no stranger to the UAE – the 950 projects her firm has completed across 44 countries, include Abu Dhabi’s Performing Art Centre and Sheikh Zayed Bridge.-TradeArabia News Service