Work begins on $1bn ICD Brookfield project in Dubai’s DIFC

Construction has begun on a mega $1bn mixed-use project being developed by state-owned Investment Corporation of Dubai and Brookfield Property Partners in the emirate.

Located in the Dubai International Financial Centre district, ICD Brookfield Place is a 1.5 million square foot office and retail development. The project was launched in March last year.

Designed by Foster + Partners, the development includes a 53-storey tower with over 900,000 sq ft of Grade A leasable office space. The top three levels of the tower will comprise exclusive sky view suites.

An adjacent five-story, 150,000-square-foot retail centre will feature shopping, dining, fitness and private club facilities with multiple terraces and an open garden on the top level.

The office tower and retail building will be connected by pedestrian pathways while seven underground levels of car parking will be able to accommodate 2,700 vehicles.

Featuring fine dining restaurants and a chef-driven food emporium, a 31-metre-high, 18,000 sq ft landscaped public area will showcase arts and cultural events, including programmes from Brookfield Place New York, Toronto and Perth.

A new retail connection and public garden will link this area to the existing DIFC gate precinct.

ICD Brookfield Place is expected to be completed in 2018, the developers said in a statement.

JLL and CBRE are acting as the joint leasing agents for the project.

Senior executive partner at Fosters + Partners Grant Booker said: “The beginning of construction at ICD Brookfield Place marks the next phase of one of Dubai’s most prestigious developments at the DIFC.

“Our aim is to enhance the urban character of the DIFC, putting public spaces at the very heart of the design. The new office tower – on target to achieve a LEED Gold rating – is shaped to reflect the sunlight, and is surrounded by a rich mix of easily accessible terraced spaces, that create a vibrant and lively extension to the DIFC.”

Executive director and chief executive officer of ICD Mohammed Al Shaibani added: “ICD Brookfield Place will be a world class development that enriches its surrounding area and significantly adds to the Dubai skyline.”