Hotel Commences with Award of Southern Dunes, Ummahat Al Shaykh Island Sites

The Red Sea Development Company, the developer behind an ambitious regenerative tourism project, has awarded contracts to Saudi company Al Bawani and Swiss firm Blumer Lehmann to support the development plans and structural work of its luxury hotels and resorts.

Southern Dunes

Al Bawani will also be responsible for the earthworks and stabilization of each of the villas, along with their structures and underground utilities connections – an essential part of the development plans. Also included is construction of the infrastructure networks for the Southern Dunes resort, such as sewage, potable water, telecommunications and landscape lighting.

As part of the contract, Al Bawani will establish staff accommodation onsite near the Southern Dunes development. This will eventually house 700 employees and will include a host of high-quality amenities. The close proximity of the housing to the site will substantially reduce workers’ travel time and help improve productivity.

Ummahat Al Shaykh Island

Blumer Lehmann will be responsible for the timber construction planning and fabrication, as well as supply works, for a resort designed by Kengo Kuma and located on Ummahat Al Shaykh Island.

This award involves the design, offsite manufacturing in Switzerland, and supply of all engineered timber material for the entire hotel, overwater and beach villas, spa and fitness building, restaurants and the arrival building. During the installation stage, Blumer Lehmann will provide the technical support and supervision needed for smooth installation onsite.

The Red Sea Project has already passed significant milestones and work is on track to welcome the first guests by the end of 2022, when the international airport and the first four hotels will open. The remaining 12 hotels planned for phase one will open in 2023.

Upon completion in 2030, the destination will comprise 50 resorts, offering up to 8,000 hotel rooms and around 1,300 residential properties across 22 islands and six inland sites. The destination will also include luxury marinas, golf courses, entertainment and leisure facilities.