Visa CEMEA Headquarters building reaches handover

Words by BSBG Media Team, Wednesday 17 November 2021

The Visa Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEMEA) Headquarters building, located in Dubai Internet City, has reached handover, and the first Visa employees have started working from the high-tech business hub.

The base-building, designed and delivered by Brewer Smith Brewer Group (BSBG) with long term partner developer, Sweid & Sweid, was completed on schedule, despite the onset of Covid-19 and the ensuing restrictions imposed on site mid-programme.

The building increases Visa’s regional capacity to more than 500 employees serving approximately 90 countries throughout Central and Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The state-of-the-art headquarters has been the recipient of numerous awards, including Best Office Architecture Dubai and Best Office Development Dubai at the International Property Awards in 2020, subsequently going on to also win the Arabia Property Awards in both categories.

Michael Lewis, Group Design Director, led the concept team in developing the design, and worked closely with Sweid & Sweid Managing Partner, Maher Sweid, throughout the process. “The strength of Visa as the world’s leader in digital payments has made this a hugely significant project for BSBG and for Sweid & Sweid,” Lewis commented. “The outcome is a first-class commercial landmark for Dubai, and one that is fitting for the Visa brand.”

He continued: “We’re proud of the building, and it has been incredibly well received by the tenant. It’s highly efficient, secure and technically robust, which encapsulates the key components that make Visa such a trusted organisation. I’m certain that they will go from strength to strength in the regions they serve from this world class destination.”

BSBG Partner Scott Orwin added: “The Visa regional headquarters building provides the client with a world class facility from which they will be able to conduct their regional operations. It has been a pleasure for us to work alongside Sweid & Sweid on another successful project in Dubai. The finished product is a credit to them as a developer, and to our sub-consultants and all stakeholders involved in the project design and delivery.”

In addition to the architectural concept, BSBG provided lead consultancy and structural engineering for the Visa building. The Interior Design was produced by Gensler, and the main contractor was long-term partner and client, Dutco.

BSBG Media Team

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