Saudi Arabia’s Binladin Contracting Group has won an early works contract for the upcoming 750-acre (approx. 3 million sqm) Town Square project in Dubai, which will comprise ‘affordable’ residential units.

Developed by Dubai-based Nshama, the Town Square will also feature retail, hotel and dining facilities, alongside a cineplex and open-air cinema. The development is located in New Dubai near Al Barsha, close to the Arabian Ranches Golf Course and the Al Maktoum International Airport. It will feature over 3,000 townhouses and 18,000 apartments.

Nshama has awarded the Binladin Contracting Group the first phase deep services contract for the Zahra and Hayat Townhouse communities in the development. The contract is to be executed in 180 days, and covers excavation and back filling for the district cooling piping network, storm drainage and main sewers, across the area allocated to the two communities.

“We are committed to delivering the projects as per schedule, highlighted by the contract awarded for undertaking deep services,” said Fred Durie, Nshama CEO.

“Nshama is drawing on its expertise in project management in developing Town Square to high quality standards and by working with experienced contractors and consultants,” he added.

Medhat Ammari, manager of technical affairs at Binladin Contracting Group, noted that the builder had begun work on the contract and expects to complete the project within the agreed time frame.

The apartments and townhouses in the Zahra and Hayat communities are being marketed as affordable by the developer. The Zahra Apartments start at AED 349,988 ($95,282), while the Zahra and Hayat Townhouses start at AED 999,988 ($272,242) for three-bedroom homes.