ACC deal a tall order in new market

Arabian Construction Company (ACC) has been awarded a contract to erect the tallest building in India.

In a joint venture with the Indian infrastructure company Simplex, ACC will build the 117-storey World One development in Mumbai.

The tower would be the second-biggest residential building in the world when completed in 2015, standing 442 metres tall.

This is the first foray into India for ACC. The company is building the Pentominium and Princess towers, two competitors for the title of the world's tallest residential tower.

Princess Tower at 414 metres will take the title when it is completed in a few months at Dubai Marina.

But it will be surpassed by Pentominium, also at Dubai Marina, which is planned to be 516 metres tall when completed in the next few years.

Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, includes a hotel and offices and is 828 metres tall.

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"There is certainly a market" for tall residential buildings, said Eric Tomich, the associate director for the Dubai office of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the company that designed the Burj Khalifa.

As well as providing density in an urban setting, tall residential buildings are also more sustainable, Mr Tomich said. "The more compact the package, the less material is needed."

World One represents what could be a lucrative new market for ACC.

"It's very natural for us to extend into the market," said an ACC spokesman, noting that many of the company's engineers and staff were from India.

A fee for the contract was not disclosed.

Ghassan Merhebi, the chairman of ACC, said: "We are proud to contribute our resources and expertise in high-rise construction that we have developed in the Gulf."

The joint venture will work with the Indian developer Lodha.

Designed by the New York architectural firm Pei Cobb Freed & Partners, World One is set to be one of the most desirable locations in India.

rjones@thenational.ae

kbrass@thenational.ae