Residential

Real estate developer Arada has awarded two contracts for the $2.2bn Masaar community in the Al Juwaiza’a district of New Sharjah in the UAE. Launched in January this year, the 19 million square foot project will comprise 4,000 villa and townhouses set in eight gated communities.

Engineering consultancy Parsons Overseas secured the first contract to provide infrastructure design and supervision consultancy services at the Masaar project. Parsons will manage all aspects of infrastructure delivery for the project. This includes roads, water, power and drainage, while ensuring full integration with the overall master plan.

ASGC Construction won the contract to build the Masaar Experience Centre, which is designed to provide glimpse of life in the community tto visitors and future residents. It features a minimal design language that reflects Masaar’s architecture, while the transparency of the façade creates a dialogue between the building’s interior spaces and the lush green landscape. The company plans to start construction on the centre immediately, with completion expected in six months' time.

Additionally, ASGC will build Masaar’s first property, a five-bedroom show villa in the Sendian district of the community. It is planned for completion by the end of this year.

The Masaar project will feature more than 50,000 trees, a lushly landscaped and walkable ‘green spine’ featuring footpaths, cycle tracks, passive zones and a range of different sporting facilities.

Image: Artist rendering of a building in the Masaar project. Credit: Arada Developments

Project

Willmott Dixon completes £60m research facility in London

Willmott Dixon has completed work on the £60m research facility located next to the Royal Free Hospital in north London, UK.

Designed by Hopkins Architects, the new facility known as the Pears Building will become the new home of the UCL Institute of Immunity and Transplantation. It will be one of the largest patient-focused immunology centres in Europe.

Designed to adapt to future climate change, the new building features a brown roof to improve biodiversity and provide future habitats for local wildlife and insects.

The building’s solar shading and natural ventilation, together with brise soleil windows, control the amount of sunlight and solar heart. The building uses air source heat pumps and rooftop solar panels.

Contract

AFL selects John Holland for $173m Marvel Stadium upgrade works

The Australian Football League (AFL) has selected construction firm John Holland as the building partner of the Marvel Stadium and stadium precinct upgrade.

The $173.7m (A$225m) redevelopment of the Marvel Stadium and Docklands precinct is intended to create a sport and entertainment hub for Melbourne that can be used throughout the year.

The project will add a new town square and open spaces, a city-side extension with function rooms and changing rooms for athletes. It will also upgrade entry points, public hospitality spaces and lighting across the development.

AFL plans to commence upgrade work following the conclusion of the 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. The work is scheduled for completion during the 2023 season.

Woolwich Exchange regeneration scheme in the UK gains approval

St Modwen and Notting Hill Genesis have secured planning consent from the Royal Borough of Greenwich council for the $568m Woolwich Exchange regeneration scheme in London, UK. The project will transform the Grade II-listed covered market in Woolwich into a mixed-use complex featuring 800 homes, a cinema, bars and restaurants.

GMI Construction wins student accommodation project in Leeds

UK-based GMI Construction has secured a £40m project for a new 604-bed purpose-built student accommodation scheme in Leeds. A 20-year-old student accommodation block will be demolished for the construction of the new 15-storey development. Designed to provide affordable living, the building will focus on the environment to support the mental health and wellbeing of students.

Sligo Rovers unveils masterplan for stadium redevelopment in Ireland

Irish professional football club Sligo Rovers has published a masterplan by Rhatigan Architects for a €17.3m redevelopment of the Showgrounds stadium. The plan includes the creation of an academy hub for the north-west region of Ireland. The masterplan presents infrastructural design proposals for the future of Rovers and contains a detailed analysis of the economic, social and financial impact that the redevelopment could have on the club. Sligo County Council and the Football Association of Ireland have endorsed the plan.

SL Green Realty unveils Summit One Vanderbilt tower design

SL Green Realty has unveiled the look of Summit One Vanderbilt, an immersive cultural experience and observatory for the crown of the One Vanderbilt building in New York City, US. Connected to Grand Central Terminal, Summit One Vanderbilt will be the latest in a series of anticipated openings at One Vanderbilt as part of the $3.3bn development. A glass-enclosed elevator will travel up the outside of the building to 1,210ft. A fully transparent glass skyboxes suspends visitors 1,063ft above Madison Avenue.