Construction is underway on a new office and retail tower in the Dubai International Financial Center district (DIFC). Designed by Foster + Partners, the 1.5-million-square-foot "ICD Brookfield Place" has officially broke ground and is expected to be completed by late 2018.
"The beginning of construction at ICD Brookfield Place marks the next phase of one of Dubai's most prestigious developments at the DIFC. We were honored to be chosen by ICD Brookfield to design a project that we believe will become a new social focus for Dubai, combining world class office space with a major civic plaza," says Foster.
"Our aim is to enhance the urban character of the DIFC, putting public spaces at the very heart of the design. The new office tower – on target to achieve a LEED Gold rating – is shaped to reflect the sunlight, and is surrounded by a rich mix of easily accessible terraced spaces, that create a vibrant and lively extension to the DIFC."
The 53-story tower will house over 900,000-square-feet of luxury office space and 150,000-square-foot retail center with shopping, dining, fitness and club facilities — all connected by several pedestrian pathways and a "31-meter-high, 18,000-square-foot landscaped public realm that will showcase a range of arts and cultural events."
It will be topped by three executive sky suites flanked by terraces and an open garden facing the Burj Khalifa.