Downtown Rotana Hotel

Project Overview

GPZ was appointed as the main contractor for the ‘turnkey’ delivery of the five star Downtown Rotana Hotel. The hotel has a built-up area of 44,000m² which includes a one level basement substructure and a 27-storey superstructure reaching a height of 103m above ground level. The ground floor up to Level 4 accommodates the general public areas such as receptions, lounges, restaurants, kitchens and pantries. Levels 6 and 8 are predominantly for business and social functions and comprise meeting rooms, conference facilities, a business centre, a ballroom and a pre-function area. Level 9 is a recreational and leisure activity floor having a fitness centre, an outdoor roof terrace with an Infinity pool (21x10m), a sunbathing lounge and a bar. Levels 10 to 26 provide 249 guest rooms, including 16 junior suites and 8 executive suites. Level 25 offers a second terrace with Planters and the Building Maintenance Cradle system. Two electro-mechanical plant floors are located at Level 27 and on the roof.

The building is founded on a large piled raft structure that is 2.5m in depth and constructed using 3,720m³ of concrete. This mass concrete pour took 27 hours to complete, requiring detailed planning and monitoring of concrete temperature differentiation measurements using an extensive system of thermo-couplers. To construct the substructure, which was 12m below existing ground level at its deepest location, an extensive dewatering system was engaged due to Bahrain’s high water table. With a plan area of 52x50m, the substructure was retained by a contiguous bored pile perimeter wall with piles up to 30min depth. An internal perimeter wall was constructed in front of the piled wall for the single basement level.

The superstructure shape is approximately square up to Level 9 and thereafter steps in to a smaller oblong shape that gradually truncates with one elevation having a gradual inward curve. The design comprised double height floor slab construction from ground floor to Level 6 and single height floor slabs from Levels 7 to 27. The floor slabs were of post-tensioned construction which facilitated a fast track programme and eliminated the need for ‘drop beams’ on the typical floors. GPZ achieved at peak output the construction of one typical structural floor slab every 10 days.

High quality exterior and interior building fabric materials were used throughout and were supplied by specialist overseas companies. The building’s exterior cladding comprised combinations of aluminium curtain walling, stainless steel and honey-comb panels along with 24m high steel columns that support spider glazing on the main façade. Internal wall and floor cladding included different combinations of granite, marble, ceramic and mosaic tiles. GPZ’s specialised manufacturing divisions includingJoinery, Metalwork and Aluminium, prefabricated and installed many of the materials and finishes for the interiors, the building façade and the glass balustrades around the perimeter of the terraces. Additionally, the grand stainless steel entrance canopy was engineered and installed by GPZ.

The building incorporates 11 lift shafts including 5 passenger lifts, 3 service lifts, 2 kitchen lifts and 1 panoramic lift, as well as two concrete escape stairwell cores at Levels 9 to 27 serving the guest rooms and one escape stairwell from Levels 1 to 8. Six carpark floors, accommodating up to 211 vehicles, are located on Levels 2 to 7 and are accessed by a 6m high, 45m long reinforced concrete ramp spanning from the front to the rear elevation of the building.

The interior fit-out works throughout the building were managed by GPZ, where GPZ manufactured and installed the fit-outworks directly in the non-public areas, while nominated subcontractors undertook the interior design, fit-out and finishing works for the public and guest areas under GPZ’s management and supervision. All mechanical, electrical and plumbing installations were managed by GPZ’s MEP Division and installed by specialist nominated subcontractors.