ENGINEERING and building contracting group, Murray and Roberts, announced in Johannesburg on Monday it has won a $70-million contract to build a marina mall in the oil-rich Gulf state of Abu Dhabi. M&R said it has received a letter of intent to proceed with the project — a joint venture with its Middle East partner Al Habtoor. The 20-month project comprises the construction of a two-storey building with basement and ground floors, topped by a tented roof structure. The development will have a built up area of 100000 square metres, with retail space taking up half of that. There will be parking for 3500 cars. This is the first project M&R will oversee in Abu Dhabi although it is involved in work at the Chicago Beach Tower Hotel in Dubai and the Dubai International Airport.