John Ferguson

In August 2015, John Ferguson and his colleagues at Brookfield Multiplex (BM) enjoyed a significant win, when they were appointed as main contractor for Abu Dhabi’s $1bn (AED3.67bn) Al Maryah Centraldevelopment.

The $425m (AED1.56bn) contract award, which was announced by Abu Dhabi-based developer Gulf Related, will see BM build a 214,000m2 mall that – upon completion in March 2018 – will host US department stores Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s, in addition to 400 retail outlets, 145 restaurants and cafes, and a 20-screen cinema complex.

With the award, Ferguson’s team became one of the leads in an all-star cast of construction outfits. In building Al Maryah Central, BM will collaborate with Elkus Manfredi Architects, Rockwell Group, Aecom, and WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff, and Thornton Tomasetti.

Also in 2015, the company was appointed as the main contractor for 500 residential units in Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City. The residential complex will contain 500 one- and two-bedroom apartments and supplementary amenities.

Construction is expected to be completed by the second quarter of next year. The two Abu Dhabi projects are the latest in a long line of high-profile contract wins for BM in the Emirates.

Since joining the core team that established the contractor’s Middle East operations in 1997, Ferguson has overseen a selection of high-profile developments, including the office tower and retail area of Emirates Towers, The Gate Building at Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), JW Marriott Marquis, and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Headquarters in Masdar City.

Outside of the UAE, Brookfield Multiplex Medgulf enjoyed an impressive year in Qatar – so much so that the firm scooped three trophies at the Construction Week Qatar Awards 2015.