Leighton to build new IT park in Chennai, India

The Alliance comprising TRIL, Leighton and a number of specialist consultants will be responsible for the design, construction and commissioning of the project.

The project, worth approximately US$230 million, involves the construction of over 570,000 m2 of built up area comprising a mixture of IT offices, a convention centre, retail, residential, hospitality, entertainment and carpark facilities.

"This new project with TRIL provides another boost to our already strong workload in India," said Managing Director of Leighton International, David Savage.

"India is a core market for Leighton International, and we are committed to the country for the long-term.

"We are currently undertaking a range of large-scale infrastructure, building and offshore oil and gas projects throughout the country, and expect to consolidate our position as the leading international contractor in India by securing a number of other major projects this year," he said.

The project is to be developed within a special economic zone and comprises two distinct elements: a processing zone, and a non-processing zone.

Processing Zone

The processing zone/IT portion of the development consists of four office buildings of approximately 60m in height. The buildings are arranged around central courtyards located at ground and at the podium level. The courtyards serve as the centre of activity for the IT complex, providing links between the various amenity functions.

Three levels of basement carparking, along with additional multi-level carparking and utility buildings will also be provided to support the IT facilities.

Non-Processing Zone

The non-processing zone consists of a mixed-use development comprising of a convention centre, retail, residential, hospitality and entertainment facilities along with below ground carparking.

The project is located on a prime 25 acre site situated along the Old Mamallapuram Road opposite the Thiruvanmiyur MRT Railway Station in the district of Armani, Chennai. The site is situated just north of the Taramani IT corridor where the majority of the region's growing IT sector is housed and the development will offer a unique opportunity to serve as a gateway to the IT corridor.

Leighton has worked closely with TRIL and other Alliance team members to develop a design and construction proposal that fully responds to the functional requirements of TRIL whilst at the same time recognizing the quality and financial objectives that must be satisfied in order to ensure the long-term success and viability of the project.

Leighton has been working on the site since December 2008, undertaking the demolition of existing buildings, site clearing and commencement of bulk excavation and piling works.

Construction on the new building structure is due to commence in June and will provide Leighton India's Engineering and Construction division a solid baseload of work for the next three years.

TRIL is the real estate and infrastructure development arm of the Tatas Group, one of India's largest conglomerates, with a total market capitalisation of over $50 billion, 107 operating companies in seven business sectors, and employing over 250,000 people worldwide.