Construction companies have been asked to recommence their tender bid bonds for Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
The news comes after Sufian Hasan Al Marzooqi, chief executive officer, Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC), confirmed in April that the museum was not on hold.
“The commercial bid was submitted long time ago. It was verified and discussed, but there was no outcome from the client.
“However, they asked us to renew the bid bond three weeks ago and we have renewed our bid bond,” a senior executive with one of the bidding companies was quoted saying, according to Arabian Business.
“The tender bid bond has been renewed three times,” he said, but admitted he wasn’t aware of when the contract will be awarded.
In March 2011, a coalition of 130 artists said they were boycotting the Abu Dhabi Guggenheim on Saadiyat Island over complaints about the working conditions of foreign labourers, following which the development was on hold.
TDIC invited contractors to pre-qualify for the main contract to build the Guggenheim museum in August 2013.
TDIC is developing the Guggenheim museum, whilst Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority will operate and manage it.
In July 2006, TDIC announced that it had signed an agreement with the Solomon R Guggenheim Foundation in New York City to build the 320,000m2 Guggenheim Museum on Saadiyat Island.
Upon completion, it is scheduled to be the largest of the Guggenheim museums. Architect Frank Gehry was appointed to design the structure.
The museum will have 13,000m2 of gallery space, 18,000m2 of exhibition space, a 350-seat theatre, a library, a research centre, food and beverage outlets, and retail centres.
[Ref: constructionweekonline.com]
