Architect Gensler has won a masterplan competition for a financial centre in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The firm, working in partnership with engineering consultant Hyder, beat off US-owned rivals KPF and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill to win the 3500 ha scheme.

Gensler is also designing a headquarters for the project (pictured right), called the Gatehouse. This building will be located at the entrance to the district and house a stock exchange and administrative offices. The site is next to the Emirates Towers.

Construction work is due to start later this year and will be managed by is US firm Turner International.

The scheme is part of the first phase of the centre, which will include an underground transport system and landscaping. The developer said it was planning to create a financial centre that could cater for the whole of the Middle East region.

  • HOK is understood to have won a contract to design a series of residential towers at a marina site, also in Dubai.