Gyproc chosen for mega-mall development

High performance Gyproc partition and ceiling systems, valued in excess of AED 3 million, have been chosen to meet demanding acoustic, fire and structural performance requirements at Al Maryah Central, a new world-class shopping and entertainment complex in the heart of Abu Dhabi’s exciting new Al Maryah Island development.

Designed by US architects, Elkus Manfredi, the 3.1 million sq. ft. scheme includes 400 high class retail units spread over 4 four floors, topped by a fifth floor of restaurants, cafes and entertainment venues - including a state-of-the-art 21-screen cinema. It will be book-ended by two 40-storey towers, one housing high class apartments and the other a 5-star 200-room hotel.

To maintain the levels of acoustic control and fire safety necessary to support the varied and vastly different activities and environments within the complex, meant minimum performance standards of STC 55dB and 120 minutes’ fire performance were demanded for all internal separating walls and partitions – which in many areas reached unsupported heights of 6 metres.

Gyproc lightweight metal systems were chosen because they provided the performance and flexibility required to meet all of these requirements and are much quicker and easier to install than traditional heavy blockwork, which will help contractor Brookfield Multiplex Constructions to meet the demanding build programme and budget.

All internal partitions are being created using a single system, GypWall CLASSIC, which will be adapted to meet individual application and height requirements, thus minimizing the number of different components on site and ensuring compatibility between the various different wall specifications. 

Planned for completion in 2018, the Al Maryah Central complex is set to become one of the Middle East’s leading shopping and entertainment destinations with its own community facilities and health-club, as well as two major retail firsts – Abu Dhabi’s first Bloomingdales department store and the first Macy’s store outside of the United States.