18 Feb 2004

Interserve's United Arab Emirates project services business has won the main contract to build the 75 million dirham (£11 million) Endurance City Desert Retreat. Khansaheb Civil Engineering LLC, in which Interserve owns a 45 per cent share, will build the horse-racing and cultural centre at Al Lisaili, some 55 miles into the desert from Dubai.

The project began in January 2004 and is due for completion in November 2004. This timetable is crucial – in December the facility will host the 2004 World Endurance Championships, the pinnacle of the sport of endurance horse racing. These are events of pure stamina for both horse and rider covering distances in excess of 60 miles. After completion of the event, the facility will become a retreat providing guests with a unique Arabic experience and environment and offering a view into local heritage and culture.

The main contract includes a four-star, 120-bed hotel including public areas, restaurants, back-of-house facilities, plantroom and a parking basement. The external works include falajs (water channels), date groves and a Desert Camp with associated staff quarters. The client, Emirates International Endurance Racing, is under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE Defence Minister and Crown Prince of Dubai. Khansaheb has carried out a number of previous projects involving His Highness, including City Tower II, valued at 110 million dirhams (£16.5 million), and the Jumeirah Beach Resort Development, valued at 100 million dirhams (£15 million).

"We're proud to be working with this prestigious client to create such a unique facility," said John Vyse, a director of Interserve Plc, "and it's doubly rewarding that our previous work for them has led to our being entrusted with a time critical project of worldwide importance."