Ramboll wins $544m waterfront community role in Abu Dhabi

expat network

Ramboll wins $544m waterfront community role in Abu Dhabi

Ramboll has secured a major win as a lead consultant for IMKAN’s “Makers District” development in Abu Dhabi. The waterfront community comprises a mix of residential, hospitality, commercial and retail space spread across 18 hectares of land on Reem Island, and is set to become one of Abu Dhabi’s most iconic projects.

Ramboll will provide lead consultancy services on the first phase of Makers District, working alongside international architects BIG and MVRDV.

Soren Holm Johansen, Group Executive Director at Ramboll, stated “This is a significant win for our team in the UAE. Our multi-disciplinary buildings team are involved in several high-rises, and mixed-use projects in the region and this high profile win cements our position as one of the leading engineering design companies. With the consultancy contract valued at AED 120 million, the ‘Makers District’ is a very challenging project, and we are excited to utilise our knowledge and expertise to deliver a project of this scale successfully.”

Commenting on the announcement, Walid El Hindi, CEO of IMKAN, said: “We are delighted to appoint Ramboll as the lead consultant for the first phase of Makers District. This is testament to our approach of entering partnerships with global firms with a proven track record in delivering truly outstanding projects.

“Makers District is the first development of its kind in the region. We conducted extensive research on the needs and aspirations of young, highly networked and creative workers who currently have a limited choice in where they live and work. Makers District is a community that fills this gap by responding to the rise of the maker movement – a social movement with an artisan spirit. With a vibrant hub, it will become the new beating heart of Abu Dhabi and will herald a new type of real estate development that will benefit end-users, investors and the wider community.”

With over 1,000 residential units, 11,000 square metres of commercial and retail space and a construction value of AED 2 billion, the scheme is scheduled for completion in 2020.

About IMKAN

IMKAN is an Abu Dhabi-based real estate developer with a multi-billion dirham development portfolio spanning four continents.

At the centre of IMKAN’s proposition is a unique research platform and ideology. By exploring and understanding the needs and desires of emerging and currently underserved communities, IMKAN aims to create soulful places that truly enrich peoples’ lives.

In creating places that instinctively appeal to defined groups, IMKAN’s approach will also drive value for its stakeholders.

From its headquarters in Abu Dhabi, IMKAN designs and builds projects around distinct user profiles. From millennials to discerning high net worth individuals, IMKAN creates places that are in tune with the mindset of each profile.

Source: www.ramboll-mea.com

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.