Habtoor Leighton awarded Dhs500m contract for DIFC’s Gate Avenue

Construction will soon begin on the Gate Avenue project at Dubai International Financial Centre after a Dhs500m ($136.1m) contract was awarded to Habtoor Leighton Group.

The Gate Avenue development is DIFC’s largest current project with a development cost of Dhs450m ($122.5m) for the existing truck tunnel and master plan infrastructure rising to Dhs1bn ($272.2m) with the new contract.

The first phase is set for completion by the end of 2017, and will include a serious of indoor and outdoor themed areas and walkways linking all the podium levels of buildings located within DIFC.

More than 200 dining, boutique, retail and entertainment options and a new mosque are planned as part of the development, which will span 660,000 square feet.

“Gate Avenue at DIFC is a highly ambitious project that is seeing the Centre develop from a leading financial hub into a prominent lifestyle destination by changing the face of urban development in the region,” said Nabil Alkindi, executive vice president of property development at DIFC.

Gate Avenue will comprise three zones connected by an open air promenade level.

The North Zone will offer access to the Marble Walk at the Gate Building with retail offerings, high-end stores and luxury outlets.

Linking to this, the Central Zone will feature high-street brands, indoor restaurants and eateries and retail stores. and connected to the DIFC metro station.

The South Zone will feature family amenities including entertainment and leisure activities for children and family-friendly dining areas.