Abu Dhabi announces Louvre piling work complete
Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) announced on Monday the completion of piling work on its flagship project Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island.
The UAE branch of the famous French art gallery is on schedule for completion in 2013, TDIC said in a statement.
“This is a significant moment in the delivery of this monumental institution as we look ahead to completion in 2013,” said Lee Tabler, TDIC chief executive officer.
“The next key milestone will be the development of the substructure beginning in the last quarter of 2010, along with the main contracts works,” he said.
Germany’s Bauer International has been working since March 2010 to place 4,536 pilings, totalling nearly 100km – approximately the distance from Abu Dhabi to Dubai.
The completion of piling works coincides with the commencement of piling works for the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, also part of the Saadiyat Island Cultural District, scheduled to start this week TDIC said.
The placement of the 1,400 piles for Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will be carried out by Al Habtoor/HSSG JV and forecast to be completed in the first quarter of 2011.
Saadiyat Island covers 27 sq km and its development will be completed in phases up until 2020. More than 145,000 people are expected to live on the island upon completion, TDIC said.
