Oregon Design Firm Chosen to Create Abu Dhabi Community
By Erin Brereton, Content ManagerAbu Dhabi–The company that manages government-owned real estate assets in Abu Dhabi recently selected architectural firm Otak International, headquartered in Lake Oswego, Ore., to lead the design-build process for a Dh1.6 billion ($435 million) green mixed-used complex.As lead architect on the Al Bateen Wharf Hotel project, which will add townhomes, shops…
By Erin Brereton, Content ManagerAbu Dhabi–The company that manages government-owned real estate assets in Abu Dhabi recently selected architectural firm Otak International, headquartered in Lake Oswego, Ore., to lead the design-build process for a Dh1.6 billion ($435 million) green mixed-used complex.As lead architect on the Al Bateen Wharf Hotel project, which will add townhomes, shops and restaurants to the Bateen Canal waterfront in the United Arab Emirates, Otak will provide landscape architecture, design coordination, structural and civil engineering services. The Abu Dhabi Tourism Development & Investment Company’s 54,000-square-meter Al Bateen Wharf Hotel will feature a 15-story, 400-room hotel tower and a 14-story tower with 200 apartments. Otak’s designs for the Al Bateen Wharf Hotel recently earned a People’s Choice Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Oregon.“I am proud that the Tourism Development and Investment Company chose Otak International and Belbadi Enterprises to bring this exciting and enduring community to life,” says Nawzad Othman, Otak International President and CEO. “The Al Bateen Wharf Hotel will bring vitality and sustainability to land that is currently used for parking and small boat launches.”Belbadi Enterprises, based in Abu Dhabi, comprises a number of companies handling construction, interior design, financial and other services. Belbadi also worked with Otak to develop the Vancouvercenter, a mixed-use complex in Vancouver, Wash.The complex will be built using a number of sustainable elements, including energy-efficient solar screens that reduce pressure on the buildings’ climate-control systems, an eco-roof atop the retail shops and eco-friendly landscaping.The new community will have amenities such as five-star restaurants and cafes, retail shops, a business and conference facility, public marina, waterfront market and promenade, large underground parking area and fountains. The Al Bateen Wharf Hotel is scheduled for completion in late 2009.Architecture, design, engineering and planning firm Otak International, based in Portland, has 13 offices, including the in Abu Dhabi office, which opened in 2006.