Arada has commenced work on the Armani Beach Residences at Palm Jumeirah following the award of the project’s first construction contract.

Designed in partnership with Armani/Casa Interior Design Studio and Tadao Ando, Armani Beach Residences at Palm Jumeirah will feature panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf and Dubai’s skyline, and feature 90,000sqft of high-quality amenities and 52 individually designed homes.

The contract to carry out enabling works at the project, which includes shoring, piling, dewatering and excavation, has been awarded to International Foundation Group (IFG). Work has commenced onsite and is expected to be completed in March next year. The main construction contract at Armani Beach Residences at Palm Jumeirah is scheduled to be awarded in the first quarter of 2025, said the developer.

Alongside the start of construction at Armani Beach Residences at Palm Jumeirah, Arada has also opened the project’s dedicated show apartment at its sales office in City Walk. The show apartment features a replica living room, master bedroom, master bathroom, boudoir and dining room, all exclusively designed by Armani/Casa, along with materials and furnishings provided by the iconic brand.

Every appointed home is defined by a desire to bring ocean and skyline views into its interior, with a wide array of configurations including two-, three-, four-, five-bedroom and penthouse residences all offering access to the exterior view. Buyers of penthouses and presidential suites will have the opportunity to work directly with Armani/Casa to deliver a truly bespoke interior scheme for their homes, said the statement.

Armani Beach Residences at Palm Jumeirah also includes two presidential suites, which combine numerous different internal function areas – including a courtyard space with reflective pool, a personalised gym, libraries, a private cinema, and a private parking lounge with space for seven cars – with an opulent mega-terrace featuring an infinity pool, the statement concluded.

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Alstom has announced a new services agreement with Saudi Railway Company (SAR), which is said to further strengthen Alstom’s commitment to the future of transportation in the Kingdom.

The US $80mn deal covers five-years of technical support and includes a Spare Part Supply Agreement (TSSSA), and aims to enhance SAR’s east-west freight corridor, which is said to be essential for the Kingdom’s economic growth.

As per the terms of the agreement, Alstom will provide SAR with comprehensive support, encompassing technical assistance, a steady supply of spare parts, and tailored staff training programs.

To digitalise maintenance process and bring more efficiency, the locomotives will be continuously monitored in real-time by Alstom’s digital solution HealthHub. This proven technology will enable a predictive maintenance approach for SAR, reducing downtime and optimising fleet availability. These measures will ensure the long-term efficiency and reliability of the diesel locomotives operating on the vital east-west freight corridor, said Alstom in its statement.

“This agreement is a testament to our shared vision with SAR of advancing Saudi Arabia’s transportation ecosystem in alignment with Vision 2030. By empowering SAR with cutting-edge technologies and knowledge transfer, we are fostering a competitive and sustainable sector while enriching local talent and expertise within the Kingdom’s railway industry. This collaboration will provide SAR’s engineers and technicians with invaluable hands-on experience, bolstering their capabilities and solidifying their vital role in the Kingdom’s ambitious growth plans,” said Mohamed Khalil, Alstom’s Managing Director of Middle East Regional Headquarters.

The east-west railway plays a vital role in connecting the key ports of Dammam and Jubail with the Riyadh dry port, facilitating the seamless flow of goods across the country. This enhanced efficiency directly supports Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 plan to diversify the economy and strengthen its position as a global logistics hub, the statement concluded.

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Kezad Communities, a subsidiary of AD Ports Group’s Economic Cities & Free Zones, has announced its re-branding and will be known as Sdeira Group. The move is said to be part of an on-going mission to transform the brand into a pioneering strategic investment entity. Sdeira Group aims to set new standards in shared housing and accelerate the development of sustainable communities.

“This comes in line with our mission to maintain the leadership position of AD Ports Group’s Economic Cities & Free Zones, which is the primary driver of trade, industry, and logistics services, and highlight our strong commitment to playing a vital and effective role in transforming employee housing facilities,” said Abdullah Al Hameli, CEO, Economic Cities & Free Zones, AD Ports Group, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sdeira Group.

He was speaking during an official ceremony held in Abu Dhabi, in the presence of several officials from AD Ports Group and key stakeholders. The event marked the unveiling of Sdeira Group’s new corporate identity, showcasing a logo that reflects the vision and values of the Group’s rebranding.

The name is inspired by Saih Sdeira, the historic site where the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his late brother, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, met in 1968. This momentous meeting marked the announcement of the bilateral union between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, which led to a number of further meetings, and eventually the establishment of the UAE on 2nd December 1971.

The group’s name carries deep national significance, symbolising its commitment to aligning with the UAE’s vision, driving societal development and fostering sustainability to achieve progress.

Abdulaziz A. Bawazeer, the CEO of Sdeira Group, said the branding supports its long-term vision, representing a significant and strategic shift aimed at enhancing our contribution to developing integrated solutions and options for employee housing facilities.

“This step reflects our commitment to meeting the aspirations of our partners and clients and delivering added value through a range of high-quality services grounded in the highest standards of responsibility and efficiency,” he commented.

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Diriyah Company unveiled details of two high profile developments – Qurain Cultural District and Northern District – to be developed within its US $63.2bn Diriyah project, on the outskirts of the capital, Riyadh.

Announcing this during the 2nd edition of its annual international event (‘Bashayer – Delivering our Future’), the developer explained how multi-billion dollar educational and arts districts demonstrate the accelerating growth and development of Diriyah, The City of Earth. This is one of the world’s biggest and most unique urban development projects, spanning an area of 14sqkm, the firm said.

The Bashayer – Delivering our Future’ event saw participation from global investors, hospitality companies, construction firms, infrastructure experts and representatives from the sports, arts, culture, tourism and retail sectors. In addition to the new districts, the audience was also updated on the rapid progress being made in construction and the current status of key assets.

Diriyah Company said it was committed to establishing a vibrant global hub, the Qurain Cultural District, where culture meets modern urban living, offering a diverse range of arts, retail, office, and residential spaces for people to live, work, shop for local brands, and enjoy a spectrum of local dining experiences.

The Qurain Cultural District will also have two world class hotels and branded residences, including the 195-room Ritz-Carlton Diriyah, with 165 residences, and the Address Diriyah, that will feature 204-rooms and 60 serviced apartments.

The district will also feature 19 mixed-use buildings, including office, retail, and residences, 10 of which have various boutique office options, and a wide range of retail space and dining venues. The development of the Qurain Cultural District includes a $1.55bn contract awarded to a joint venture between Nesma & Partners Contracting Company and MAN Enterprise Al Saudia.

The Northern District will make Diriyah a global centre of learning for scholars, students, and visionaries and it is set to include the King Salman Foundation, museums, a university, a library, and a vibrant public square. The new district will also host the recently announced Capella Diriyah, a 100-room luxury hotel that marks Capella Hotels and Resorts’ groundbreaking entry into the Middle East.

Overall, the complete Diriyah project is one of Saudi Arabia’s five giga-projects, backed by the world’s 5th largest sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund, and is building homes for 100,000 people, creating 178,000 jobs, and contributing $18.6bn to Saudi Arabia’s GDP.

A short 15-minute drive from Riyadh’s city centre, this 14sqkm development holds historical significance as the actual birthplace of Saudi Arabia, dating back to 1727. Currently being developed by Diriyah Company, it is undergoing a transformation into an authentic Najdi-style mixed-use urban community.

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ALEC unveiled its ‘Robotics Strategy’ at its annual Innovation Day event in Dubai. The strategy is focused on transforming core construction processes through the use of cutting-edge automation solutions, the firm said.

Aligning with the company’s broader Innovation Agenda, the program will see ALEC forge partnerships with global robotics leaders to implement innovative solutions in its construction projects, as well as to bring these technologies to the region, thereby elevating the sector as a whole, said a statement from ALEC.

“Since the construction industry employs a large percentage of the workforce, as a forward-thinking and innovative company, ALEC recognizes the importance of integrating robotics into our operations. At the same time, we are working closely with all industry stakeholders. A rising tide lifts all boats and an industry-wide increase in automation will address many of our sector’s most pressing issues, enhancing sustainability, addressing skilled labour shortages, and meeting tight project details,” said Barry Lewis, CEO at ALEC.

According to ALEC, its Robotics Strategy extends on the ALEC Robotics Brief, which since its launch in 2017, has seen the company test and conduct real-world deployments of nine innovative robotics solutions. Doubling down on this momentum, the company will now collaborate closely with government agencies, local and international universities, and robotics companies and start-ups to evaluate up to 20 robotics ideas and partnerships each year. Over a five-year period, the company aims to have 5% of its construction activities automated by mature robotic solutions, the statement added.

As part of the first phase of the Robotics Strategy, ALEC said it will focus on pioneering the use of already mature robotics technologies from across the world, as well as helping accelerate the advancement of more nascent but promising robotics projects. Some providers of these technologies have already been identified by the company, and several of them were showcased at the company’s Innovation Day.

Among the 14 construction robotics pioneers from around the globe present at this event, were NYU Abu Dhabi who have been exploring AI and Robotics for Autonomous Data Acquisition in Construction projects. HILTI offered an impressive live demo of its Jaibot, a semi-automated construction robot designed for mechanical, electrical, plumbing and interior finishing installation work, while Construction Robotics impressed attendees with MULE, a lift-assist solution designed and built to handle and place heavy material on construction sites. In the rapidly advancing field of drone-based solutions, Angelswing stood out for its innovative drone-based digital twin platform that drives effectiveness throughout a project — from planning to completion, the press release outlined.

“At the nexus of market shifts, environmental awareness and rapid technological advancement, is the opportunity for the construction sector to surge forward into an era of enhanced efficiency, sustainability and excellence. ALEC is leading this transformation, and driven by our dedicated department, innovation has been embedded into the DNA of our organisation,” said Imad Itani, Head of Innovation at ALEC.

He concluded, “Through meticulously detailed frameworks, we have set out clear objectives with tangible milestones that ensure continued improvement. As the region’s leading construction firm, ALEC recognises that our successes will stand testament to the value and feasibility of new approaches to construction. Galvanised by this, we will continue to partner will the best talent from across the world to deliver the best solutions and exceed our stakeholder’s expectations.”

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Construction has begun on a new multi-billion-dollar refining and petrochemical complex in Fujian, China.

The second phase of the Fujian Gulei integrated refining and petrochemical project is a collaboration between China Petroleum & Chemical Corp (Sinopec), Saudi Arabian Oil Co (Saudi Aramco), and Fujian Petrochemical Co. It is expected to be fully operational by 2030, according to Sinopec.

The project is being developed with a total investment of US $9.9bn, which is the largest industrial investment in Fujian to date, according to a report.

The facility’s refining unit aims to produce 320,000 barrels per day, as well as 1.5m tons of ethylene per year, two million tons of paraxylene and will have a 300,000t crude oil terminal.

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Wynn Resorts has said that construction of Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah is proceeding as planned, with 55% of the structural concrete now complete. According to a statement, the concrete structure is complete up to the 26th floor of the main resort tower, with walls extending to the 29th floor.

The construction team is completing one floor per week, working toward a topping off in December 2025. In the last 100 days, the resort tower grew by 44m. An on time opening in Q1 2027 is anticipated said a statement from Wynn Resorts.

The resort will offer 1,542 rooms and suites. To-date, the tower structure has been completed for 1,121 guest rooms, or 73% of the total. Fit out is underway in approximately 820 rooms – including walls, floors, and ceilings, as well as all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) services.  The elevator and escalator installation also began this month, Wynn Resorts said.

Wynn Design and Development (WDD), employing more than 90 architects, designers, and creative visionaries, is overseeing all facets of the project’s design and development. Wynn Resorts is unique in that it maintains its own full-service design and architectural team. There are currently 9,100 construction team members onsite, and more than 100 concrete trucks in place on the site per day, the statement added. In early 2023 ALEC and Bauer International were announced as key contractors for the project.

Wynn Al Marjan Island will create a new category of luxury in the region through its unique collection of experiences. The twenty-two restaurants, lounges, and bars will range from high-energy social destinations to fine dining. Contributing to the atmosphere, a nightclub featuring the legendary “Only At Wynn” line-up of world-renowned DJs and a beach club will be situated on its own white sand beach on the Arabian Gulf.  There will be an extensive poolscape adjacent to the beach with multiple swimming and wading pools, water features, private cabanas, and tropical landscaping covering 3.6Ha, Wynn Resorts stated.

The resort will also include a 15,000sqm shopping promenade filled with luxury boutiques, a five-star spa, and a salon. The 7,500sqm meetings and events centre along with a theatre, will offer parties, events, and bespoke entertainment experiences.

Wynn Resorts is developing the project in partnership with Marjan and RAK Hospitality Holding. It is anticipated to be the first integrated gaming resort in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region, the statement concluded.

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Cemex Ventures has announced a hydrogen project with HiiROC, a UK-based hydrogen producer and provider. Cemex Ventures is the corporate venture capital and innovation unit of Mexico-based construction materials company Cemex.

The project, which is billed as a ‘first of its kind’ will see HiiROC deploy hydrogen at an industrial scale at Cemex’s Rugby, England, plant for use in cement production. Cemex said that it believes HiiROC’s use of a proprietary thermal plasma electrolysis (TPE) process in producing and delivering hydrogen can aid CO2 emission reductions because the method requires less electrical energy compared to conventional hydrogen production.

The announcement is said to be part of a strategic partnership that first began in 2021 between the two companies.

“HiiROC produces carbon-neutral hydrogen using its proprietary TPE process, which requires just one-fifth of the electrical energy used in water electrolysis and captures carbon as a solid byproduct, avoiding CO2 emissions,” said Cemex in a statement.

It added, “HiiROC’s modular solution can be deployed as single units to full-scale industrial plants. The hydrogen produced can be used as an alternative energy source to fuel clinker production processes, helping Cemex to achieve its decarbonisation goals.”

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