THE Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company announced that construction has started on the Capital Centre development in Abu Dhabi, an AED8 billion business and residential micro-city which will become the world’s first fully networked exhibition and lifestyle destination.
The project is the largest development on the main island of Abu Dhabi and is being developed around the new Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) in a move to meet the increasing demand for commercial and residential facilities being generated by the successful exhibition centre.
On completion in early 2011, Capital Centre will house a new micro-city of 23 towers, including six branded hotels, four commercial buildings, eight residential and serviced apartment complexes and five mixed use developments.
Also featured in Capital Centre will be a 2.3km waterfront Marina Zone; a proposed monorail and the ‘Galleria’ – a shopping mall with restaurants, retail outlets, and cinemas.
The most distinctive feature of the development will be the iconic 35-storey Feature Tower that will include a 200 room five-star-plus hotel and 20,000 square metres of office and retail space.
The 23 Towers that form the Capital Centre Micro-City will be located on the land currently occupied by Abu Dhabi’s old exhibition venue, which is scheduled for demolition soon.
Simon Horgan, chief executive officer, ADNEC, said: “Capital Centre is not just one of Abu Dhabi’s most prestigious developments, it is one of the Middle East’s most significant projects.
“The site will combining the world’s most modern exhibition centre, an iconic feature tower and striking Marina Zone all in one location.”