2024 | Review of the Year

Words by BSBG Media Team, Thursday 12 December 2024

With a host of new project announcements, awards, and significant on-site progress across various developments, 2024 was a highly successful year for Brewer Smith Brewer Group (BSBG).

Managing Partner Alistair McMillan reflected on 2024, stating: “We have seen tremendous growth this year, and have welcomed many new faces across each discipline within the business. This is testament to the quality of our buildings, the standards we have set, and the coordinated, multi-disciplinary offering we have cultivated, which adds such a depth of value to our clients. We are in a strong position as we prepare to enter 2025, and this is thanks to the commitment, talent and hard work of all those that represent BSBG in our offices and on our active construction sites.”

In this blog, we look back at the key highlights from 2024.

New project announcements

Qiddiya Performing Arts Centre

In July, BSBG announced its involvement in the mega project, Qiddiya Performing Arts Centre, taking on the roles of Executive Architect, Lead Consultant, and Executive Structural Engineer. The project, which is designed by Tom Wiscombe Architecture, seeks to inject fresh interest in the performing arts among the youth of Saudi Arabia, creating new audiences, and adding an iconic theatre to be appreciated by those in the Kingdom and around the world.

Senior Partner Andrew Bereza said: “This project is the epitome of transformative, iconic architecture. Working alongside (Concept Architect) Tom Wiscombe and his team in LA to understand their vision and help guide the approach to deliver Qiddiya Performing Arts Centre is an incredible process to be involved in. This project is clearly without comparison, certainly in the region – the energy, creativity and originality of the scheme will surely set the stage for new discussions around the way we imagine our buildings, and it redefines what we can consider possible or feasible in the scope of 21^st Century architecture.”

Mercer House is a residential community development located within DMCC’s Uptown Dubai masterplan, featuring two residential towers of 46 and 39 storeys containing approximately 600 units, linked by a podium with a mix of retail and high-end F&B spaces.

Uptown Phase 2 features two mid-rise commercial towers of 23 and 17 storeys, providing approximately 70,000 m2 of Grade A commercial office space, as well as 8,000 m2 of F&B and retail.

BSBG announced its role in the delivery of Emaar’s Dubai Square, a large-scale mall set to become a futuristic fusion of cutting-edge retail, entertainment and technology, located in Dubai Creek Harbour

Mercer House

In January BSBG announced its roles in the design and delivery of Mercer House, a new residential scheme for client, Ellington Properties. The project is a community development located within DMCC’s Uptown Dubai masterplan, featuring two residential towers of 46 and 39 storeys containing approximately 600 units, linked by a podium with a mix of retail and high-end F&B spaces. BSBG is the Design Architect, Interior Designer, Executive Architect, Lead Consultant, and Structural Engineer on the project, and will also provide Construction Supervision.

Michael Lewis, Group Design Director, explained more about the striking dual-tower design of Mercer House. He said: “We tried to create some irregularity in the buildings’ façades to make them feel more dynamic, so while the core of each tower is incredibly orthogonal and highly efficient, through the skin of the façade and the balconies, we’ve added a playfulness with dynamic movement through a series of stacked cubes, with carved slots to create additional layering and interest. It creates a high-energy project which stands out in its environment.”

Uptown Phase 2

The +studio design of Uptown Phase 2 was revealed in February, as construction commenced with a groundbreaking ceremony. The commercial project is the result of the strategic collaboration between Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) and BSBG, announced in May 2023. Uptown Phase 2 features two mid-rise commercial towers of 23 and 17 storeys, providing approximately 70,000 m² of Grade A commercial office space, as well as 8,000 m² of F&B and retail. BSBG is providing Design and Executive Architecture, Interior Design, Lead Consultancy and Construction Supervision services on the project.

Michael Lewis said at the time: “The process of design involved analysing the masterplan beyond the plot boundary, to understand how to extract the most value for the client. We had the opportunity to look at the wider context of Uptown as a destination, and interpret the way in which that translates into our project.”

Dubai Square

In November BSBG announced its role in the delivery of Emaar’s Dubai Square, a large-scale mall set to become a futuristic fusion of cutting-edge retail, entertainment, and technology, located in Dubai Creek Harbour. BSBG is engaged by Dutco Group to perform the roles of Lead Consultant, Executive Architect, Architect of Record, Structural Engineering, and will also provide Construction Supervision.

Project Updates

The Lana Dorchester Collection Dubai Opens

The Lana, Dorchester Collection, Dubai opened its doors to guests for the first time in early 2024. The Lana is a five-star hotel and residential development located beside the waters of Dubai Canal. BSBG took the role of Lead Consultant, overseeing design coordination and technical supervision of construction. The design is by Foster + Partners.

The Lana hotel features 225 guest rooms and suites and eight dining concepts, as well as a ballroom and conference facilities, a rooftop bar with infinity-edge pool, luxury spa and gym facilities. The residential component is comprised of 39 exclusive residences, including six penthouses with private swimming pools, and a selection of two, three and four-bedroom apartments and duplexes

Construction Update | One Clapham Phase 3

Progress on Phase 3 of One Clapham continues at pace, with Plot 3D brickwork now complete, and the remaining five of the total of six buildings following closely behind. BSBG is the Executive Architect and Lead Consultant on the project, engaged by client Mount Anvil.

Watch the latest update here:

Construction Update | Eywa Dubai

Construction is now well underway at Eywa Dubai, with the basement raft cast in October, and the ground floor slab due to be cast shortly. Brewer Smith Brewer Group (BSBG) is the Executive Architect, Lead Consultant, and Structural Engineer on the project.

Watch the latest updates in the video below, as Bojan Stankovic, Lead Architect, guides us round the construction site at this early phase.

Watch the latest update here:

Construction Update | UH by Ellington

Numerous milestones in the construction of UH by Ellington have recently been hit, with tower slabs in progress on UH West, and the basement slab ongoing on UH East. We joined Chris Day, Harvey Hale, and Ian Westhead as they take us around the site to provide the updates.

Watch the video below:

Construction Update | Six Senses The Palm Dubai

It was in April that two key buildings housing 32 sky villas topped out at Six Senses The Palm, Dubai. Since that time, all structures are now complete, as construction continues. BSBG is the Lead Consultant, Architect of Record, Executive Architect, Structural Engineer and Construction Supervisor on the 135,866 m2 development (BUA).

The project is designed as an ultra-luxury offering to further enhance the Palm Jumeirah community. A 61-key hotel and 172 branded residences make up this milestone development, which brings the Six Senses international ethos of sustainability and wellness to the UAE for the first time.

Construction Update | Uptown Phase 2

In November, we reported that Enabling Works were underway at the Uptown Phase 2 project, a commercial development featuring two mid-rise towers of 23 and 17 storeys, providing approximately 70,000 m2 of Grade A commercial office space, as well as 8,000 m2 of F&B and retail.

The commercial project is the result of the strategic collaboration between Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) and Brewer Smith Brewer Group (BSBG). BSBG is the Concept Architect, Executive Architect, Lead Consultant, Interior Designer, Structural Engineer, and is now providing Construction Supervision as the project progresses on site.

Videos

Silk District Phase 2

With the completion of Silk District Phase 2 in London’s Whitechapel, this video presents the story of the project for client and developer Mount Anvil. Featuring contributions from BSBG's Andrew Bereza, Nick Turbott, Alistair Bradley, and Mark Vaughan, and Luke Taylor and David Bracken from Mount Anvil.

Watch the video below:

The process of design by +studio

BSBG’s +studio produces design from the global headquarters in Dubai under direction from Group Design Director, Michael Lewis. In this video, Michael is joined by Lead Design Architect, Roxanne Diaji and Chris Day, Associate, to explain the process of design, which adds key early-stage value to clients with a unique level of detail and coordination.

Watch the video below.

Awards

Misk Schools

Misk Schools received LEED Gold certification in recognition of the green building standards and outstanding sustainability practices implemented during the design and construction of the project. Later in November the campus was also recognised as the Education Project of the Year at the MEED Awards 2024.

BSBG was the Executive Architect, Lead Consultant and Structural Engineer on Misk Schools, and also provided Construction Supervision, resulting in the successful delivery of the educational facility. The Concept Architect is Design Engine.

Mercer House

Mercer House won the five-star award for Best Mixed-Use Architecture, Dubai at the Arabia Property Awards 2024. BSBG is the Concept Design Architect, Lead Consultant, Executive Architect, Structural Engineer, and is providing Construction Supervision on the project.

UH by Ellington

UH by Ellington won the five-star award for Best Architecture Multiple Residences, Dubai at the Arabia Property Awards 2024. BSBG is the Concept Design Architect, Lead Consultant, Executive Architect, Structural Engineer, and is providing Construction Supervision on the project.

One River Point

One River Point won the five-star award for Best Residential High-Rise, Dubai at the Arabia Property Awards 2024. BSBG is the Concept Design Architect, Lead Consultant, Executive Architect, Structural Engineer, and is providing Construction Supervision on the project.

Eywa Dubai

Eywa Dubai was recognised as the World’s Best International Apartment/Condominium Development 2023-2024, at the International Property Awards grand final event, hosted in London on 22^nd February. Previously, the project won in the Dubai and Arabia regional categories, before going on to pick up the global accolade.

Featuring just 48 spacious apartments over 19 storeys, along with a unique approach to sensory penetration throughout the development, and a wide variety of amenities, EYWA Dubai is designed to focus on the health, wellbeing, happiness, and spiritual growth of residents.