Current international newsflashes

Germany
+++ Stuttgart 21 transportation project
2010 will see the start of construction work on the biggest infrastructure project in the Stuttgart region. With a total investment volume of EUR 4.8 million, the Stuttgart 21 megaproject involves the conversion of the Stuttgart railhead main station into a through station and the expansion of the high-speed rail network. Travel time from Stuttgart to Ulm, for example, will be halved. Also, Stuttgart Airport and the New Stuttgart Trade Fair Centre will be connected to the German Rail high-speed rail network. A total of 57 kilometers of new track will be built, 33 kilometers in tunnels. The Drees & Sommer Infra Consult and Development Management experts are undertaking project management for the complex transportation project.

Middle East
+++ Binational project management for German Business Park in Dubai
A building complex with a gross floor area of 143,000 sqm is being built in Dubai's Silicon Oasis. The EUR 150 million building was designed by Fischer Architekten. Drees & Sommer has been commissioned by German Business Park FZCO to undertake binational project management. Planning hubs in Germany and Dubai combine German know-how and local competency. The Project Communication System PCS allows project participants in both countries to access all relevant data at any time.

+++ Marriott Hotels in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Bahrain
Marriott International commissioned Drees & Sommer - as the owner's representative - to take on project management support for the construction of three new hotels in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Bahrain. The project managers are monitoring the overall process as well as quality assurance and cost control for the construction projects. Marriott International plans the construction of a further 16 hotels in the Middle East by the end of 2010.

+++ King Fahad National Library in Riyadh
The Drees & Sommer Expert Team DS-Plan is advising the developer Arriyadh Development Authority on building services equipment and the energy concept for the EUR 65 million project in the Saudi capital. As a showcase Green Building project, the King Fahad Library is characterized by unusual energy-conservation technologies such as underfloor cooling and layered ventilation. The building, which has a gross floor area of 80,000 sqm, was designed by Gerber Architekten International.

Luxembourg
+++ Belval Plaza in Esch/Belval
Belval Plaza is a multifunctional world of experience being built in southern Luxembourg. Two building complexes offer 140,000 sqm of space for leisure, shopping, working and residential. Drees & Sommer project managers are responsible for schedule planning and control of the EUR 180 million project. The first building complex will be opened at the end of 2008. Belval Plaza 2 will open at the beginning of 2009.

+++ Hôpital Municipal in Luxembourg
Hôpital Municipal is undertaking a complete renovation of the existing 53,000 sqm building -including clinical departments and the administration building - with the hospital remaining in full operation. Drees & Sommer has been commissioned to undertake project management for the complex rehabilitation project. Work is to be completed by 2012.

Italy
+++ Construction Management for the Congress Center, Rome
Star architect Massimiliano Fuksas designed an innovative architectural jewel for Rome in the form of the new Congress Center. The building complex contains several congress halls with a total seating capacity of 6.896, an auditorium with 1,800 seats and a four-star hotel with 450 rooms. In addition to project management, Drees & Sommer is also undertaking construction management for this sophisticated project. Construction of the EUR 270 million project commenced at the beginning of this year and is scheduled to be completed in 2010.

Austria
+++ Carnuntum Archeological Park
The Carnuntum Archeological Park some 40 kilometers east of Vienna is being modernized. The EUR 26 million project involves remodeling of the Visitor Center and a complete transport concept both inside and outside the excavation site. Construction work is also planned throughout the area. The restaurant area is to be renovated and the museum and amphitheater are to be remodeled. The project managers from Drees & Sommer will ensure on-schedule completion of the work by 2011.

+++ Project control at Vienna Airport
With over 18 million passengers, Vienna Airport recorded grown of 11.3% in 2007. This constant increase made it necessary to extend the terminal and gate areas as well as the infrastructure buildings. Drees & Sommer is responsible for project control for the complex extension work and is coordinating all project participants - some 130 planners and 50 contractors.

Romania
+++ Premium Point office complex in Bucharest
A modern nine-story office complex with a gross floor area of 5,660 sqm is being built in Bucharest. Scheduled for completion by the end of 2008, the concept is rounded out by retail and service areas on the ground floor. Drees & Sommer has been commissioned by the client Premiumred Real Estate Development GmbH to undertake project management and construction management for the EUR 9 million project.

+++ Residential project in Brasov
The Romania Connex Grup is undertaking a EUR 200 million residential project in Brasov, 170 kilometers north of Bucharest. Drees & Sommer has been commissioned to undertake project management for the project. In the first of eight phases, three buildings with a total of 79,000 sqm living area will be built on a 37,600 sqm site. There will also be a mall and 33,000 square meters of landscaping.

Czech Republic
+++ Site development at Prague Airport
The investor AZA Trade commissioned Drees & Sommer to undertake development management of a 16-hectare site at Prague Airport. The result is an industry park with a hotel, Science Center and office space, as well as several car dealerships. Following analysis of the site, the development managers drew up profitable land-use concepts and assisted with the development of a master plan. Currently the experts are assisting AZA Trade with the procurement of building approval.

Turkey
+++ Espark Shopping Center
ECE opened the Espark Shopping Center in Eskisehir at the end of 2007. With a gross floor area of 45,000 sqm, it offers space for 140 businesses. In order to ensure that the shopping center opened on schedule, Drees & Sommer supported the ECE team by providing management services. The project managers brought the EUR 76 million project to a successful conclusion through precise schedule coordination, quality control, and coordination of companies on the construction site.

USA
+++ German Embassy in Washington
Since 2007, Drees & Sommer has been assisting the Federal Office for Building and Regional Planning Bonn (BBR) with a general rehabilitation of the German Embassy in Washington D.C. The contract involves project control with technical & economic controlling and general planning, which is being undertaken almost exclusively in Germany. When rehabilitation work starts in 2009, Drees & Sommer will have a local presence in Washington D.C.

Download this press release
PDF