IMKAN brings in Ramboll on AED2 billion first-phase of Abu Dhabi's ‘Makers District’

IMKAN, the real estate developer, has appointed Ramboll, a leading global engineering, design and environmental consultancy firm, as Lead Consultant for the first phase of its ‘Makers District’ development.

The AED120 million contract marks the official launch of Makers District, an 18-hectare masterplan development on Reem Island, Abu Dhabi, designed as a waterfront community that cultivates creativity through residential, hospitality, commercial and retail space. Makers District will address a currently underserved demographic in Abu Dhabi with an aim to become the city’s new heart.

Danish consulting engineering conglomerate, Ramboll, will provide lead consultancy services on the first phase of Makers District, working alongside international Architects, BIG and MVRDV. With over 1,000 residential units, 11,000 square metres of commercial and retail space and a construction value of AED2 billion, the scheme is scheduled for completion in 2020. The first units will go on sale by the end of 2017.

Design of the ‘The Artery’, the first building to be launched in Makers District, was awarded to BIG, the architectural design firm based in both Copenhagen and New York, in April 2017.

Commenting on the announcement, Walid El Hindi, CEO of IMKAN, said, "We are delighted to appoint Ramboll as the lead consultant for the first phase of Makers District. This is testament to our approach of entering partnerships with global firms with a proven track record in delivering truly outstanding projects.

"Makers District is the first development of its kind in the region. We conducted extensive research on the needs and aspirations of young, highly networked and creative workers who currently have a limited choice in where they live and work. Makers District is a community that fills this gap whilst responding to the rise of the maker movement, a global social movement with an artisan spirit. With a vibrant hub, it will become the new beating heart of Abu Dhabi and will herald a new type of real estate development that will benefit end-users, investors and the wider community."

Makers District is the inaugural development for IMKAN, the Abu Dhabi-based developer with multi-billion Dirham development portfolio spanning four continents. Formed in 2017, IMKAN uses a unique research platform and ideology to create soulful places that enrich peoples’ lives.

Walid El Hindi added, "IMKAN is the first developer in the region to build a research platform in-house. We have brought together the brightest minds in design, research, real estate development and architecture. Combined with our growing number of partners from a range of disciplines and geographies, we aim to create places that are tailored to specific groups, yet reflect the best standards in building and design anywhere in the world."

The company has projects planned in the Middle East, North Africa, Asia and Europe.