The first phase of the $2.7 billion project to extend Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) is now underway after a United Kingdom-based construction company was appointed to begin the development.
Mace, the company behind London’s famous Shard building and Battersea Power Station, have been assigned the task of building phase 1 of the extension by Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).
There are three phases to the development, and specifically, phase 1 will reportedly be completed by 2026 and bring the center’s exhibition space up to 140,000 square meters. When the entire development is complete, the fully expanded center will have 180,000 square meters of exhibition space, 26 halls and span 1.2 kilometers.
This will make it the largest indoor events and exhibition space in the region, the Government of Dubai announced in a briefing, after the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, approved the $2.7 billion funding for the development on September 23.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, who is also the prime minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), said in a statement earlier this month, “This iconic venue will not only become the largest indoor exhibition and events destination in the region but also set new global standards for excellence in the industry. We are committed to consolidating Dubai’s status as a global leader in the events and exhibitions sector and the top destination for mega events.”
The expansion of the DEC has been “strategically planned to align with the visionary goals of Expo City Dubai, the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, and the recently announced expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport,” the government briefing added.
An image of what phase 1 of the expansion to Dubai’s Exhibition Centre is projected to look like. The construction company Mace has been appointed to work on the first phase of development. An image of what phase 1 of the expansion to Dubai’s Exhibition Centre is projected to look like. The construction company Mace has been appointed to work on the first phase of development. Mace
Al Maktoum International Airport is set to become the world’s largest airport when the developments are completed. The first phase is scheduled for completion in 2032.
Mace previously completed the original DEC, which was formerly known as COEX, for Expo 2020 Dubai.
In a statement shared with Newsweek via email on Monday, Stephen Venney, UAE country director at Mace Consult, said: “We are delighted to be appointed by DWTC to deliver Phase 1 of the Dubai Exhibition Center expansion and play a key role in supporting the ongoing development of both the DEC and Dubai’s events and exhibitions industry.”
He added that Mace has been delivering iconic projects in Dubai and the UAE for more than 25 years, saying the company is “excited to bring all our best practice knowledge and expertise to successfully deliver this landmark project.”
The DEC is situated in Expo City Dubai, a city where residents can live, work, do their hobbies and socialize all within a region that takes no longer than 15 minutes to get to.
Newsweek has contacted the Dubai government by email for comment.
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People are seen outside the DEC at the COP28 U.N. Climate Summit in December 2023 in Dubai. Mace previously completed the original DEC, which was formerly known as COEX, for Expo 2020 Dubai. People are seen outside the DEC at the COP28 U.N. Climate Summit in December 2023 in Dubai. Mace previously completed the original DEC, which was formerly known as COEX, for Expo 2020 Dubai. Peter Dejong/AP
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