US Firm CH2M HILL, UK’s Mace Win Bid To Build Dubai Expo 2020 Site

A consortium led by US-based CH2M HILL and UK-based Mace has won the tender to build the Dubai Trade Centre Jebel Ali development – the master district that will also host Expo 2020 Dubai, a statement said.

The consortium beat several international companies to win the contract, which was awarded by Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

As per the contract, the firms will provide full-service consultancy, real estate programme management, design, construction and operations management for the end-to-end development and delivery of Dubai Trade Centre Jebel Ali and the Expo 2020 Dubai site.

The host venue for the event, stretching from Dubai Trade Centre to Jebel Ali, is a 438-hectare site that includes a dedicated gated 150-hectare expo area and a surrounding residential, hospitality and logistics zone.

The exhibition site is designed to accommodate up to 300,000 visitors, with average week-day attendance expected at 153,000.

The design contract for the venue was earlier awarded to a consortium consisting of US-based architects HOK and engineering firm Arup, who were also involved in creating a blueprint for Dubai’s Expo bid.

“The success of the development is critically linked to its timely and efficient evolution to the planned legacy of Dubai Trade Centre Jebel Ali, and we look forward to seeing this partnership with CH2M HILL-Mace support DWTC and Dubai in fulfilling this long-term commitment,” said Ahmed Al Khatib, director – Real Estate, DWTC.

Core precincts on the site are being programmed with a “strong legacy focus minimising redundancy and expediting transition to the planned signature end-state development,” the statement added.

Post Expo 2020 Dubai, which runs for six months from October 2020 to April 2021, the site aims to deliver an environment that “fosters cultural learning, collaborative co-creation and business in a complete destination proposition”, DWTC said.

The Dubai Trade Centre Jebel Ali development also aims to become a new focal point for regional business tourism through trade fairs, mega-events and conferences.

CH2M HILL and Mace have jointly worked on the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games venues, and in the UAE, the firms have independently delivered projects such as Jumeirah Beach Residences, Mall of the Emirates, Business Bay Development, Media City, Silicon Oasis, ENEC Nuclear Programme and Masdar City.