Imkan, a leading UAE developer, says primary construction works of the $540-million waterfront Makers District in Abu Dhabi will be tendered in the first quarter of 2019.

 Located on Reem Island, construction is slated for completion in the fourth quarter of 2020. A Dutch sub-contractor has already completed the construction of 938 secant piles of shoring for the mixed-use waterfront project.

 Imkan had earlier appointed Ramboll, a leading global engineering, design and environmental consultancy firm, as lead consultant for the first phase of its development.

Villas at Nudra in Saadiyat Island’s Cultural District.

 Makers District is designed as a waterfront community that cultivates creativity through residential, hospitality, commercial and retail space. It will address a currently underserved demographic in Abu Dhabi with an aim to become the city’s new heart.

With over 1,000 residential units and 11,000 sq m of commercial and retail space, the scheme is scheduled for completion in 2020.

Meanwhile, work is in progress at Nudra, its luxury 37-villa development coming up at Saadiyat Island’s Cultural District in the UAE capital.

With more than 20 per cent of the project already  completed, it is well on track for a timely handover in July next year, says the developer.

The meticulously-planned 26,000-sq-ft development plots along the beachfront are currently being graded, ready for handover before year-end, it adds.

The first stage foundation work, including the bulk excavation, dewatering and the installation of over 1,500 piles, has been successfully completed and the basements of 11 out of the 32 villa are ready and five of the ground floor slabs already cast, with the remainder set to follow in quick succession.

Imkan also reports that the Jerusalem Limestone, which is to clad the external elevations, has been quarried and is now being cut and finished.

The ‘shell and core’ finish will enable purchasers to fully customise their interiors, it states.

CEO Walid El Hindi says:  “With Nudra, we are introducing a concept of customised fit-outs (shell and core) while simultaneously setting new benchmarks for community living. With its ability to offer bespoke properties that cater to the individual needs of customers, Imkan’s developments have achieved high uptake among potential investors and end users.

According to Imkan, the construction of the hillside retaining wall at the rear of the project is also now complete. This structure is designed to support the gentle rising hill that is located approximately 6 m above the entrance level, providing the villas at the rear with magnificent views of both the Arabian Sea and the Louvre Abu Dhabi.  Formation of the beach is also progressing well with completion forecast for February 2019, it adds.

Earlier this year, Imkan had reported that its had awarded the construction contract for Nudra to a joint venture of Wates and Eastern. Wates is a renowned UK company that has executed highly skilled restoration works on Buckingham Palace and locally on Qasr Al Hosn, while UAE-based construction and civil engineering firm Eastern brings to the table four decades of experience in the local market.

Award-winning architect Meisa Batayneh Maani, the founder and principal architect at Maisam Architects and Engineers, is chief designer of the development.