HABTOOR Leighton Group (HLG) has been awarded a Dh1.45-billion ($395 million) contract by Dubai International Real Estate (Dire) for work on a key package of the Jewel of the Creek mixed-use project in Port Saeed, Dubai.

The contract for Package Eight forms a significant part of the Dh3-billion ($817 million) development. HLG has been working on the project since 2012, when it was appointed to construct the substructure works for four basement levels and ground floor slabs on the waterside site between Al Maktoum Bridge, Baniyas Road and the Floating Bridge.

HLG’s scope of works on the latest contract involves the construction and completion of five hospitality buildings ranging between 15 and 19 floors and featuring a hotel and serviced apartments; a ballroom, with an attached café; a marina, including four foot bridges and one vehicular bridge; and hard and soft landscaping works.

Construction works on Package Eight are scheduled to commence in the third quarter of this year, and are expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2017.

HLG chief executive officer and managing director, José Antonio López-Monís, said: “We are pleased to have been selected as Dire’s contractor of choice, and are proud to continue our partnership on this landmark project.”