Dubai free zone operator Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) has appointed UK-headquartered construction firm Innovo Group as the main contractor to build the estimated AED1bn ($272m) next phase of its Uptown Dubai development.

The second phase includes constructing two 28- and 21-storey mid-rise towers featuring approximately 67,500 square metres (sq m) of commercial space and 5,000 sq m for retail and food and beverage outlets.

The construction work began last year when local enabling contractor Swissboring started the foundation works on the project.

In May, DMCC said it had appointed the local Brewer Smith Brewer Group as the lead consultant for the design and executive architecture, interior design and structural engineering for the next two commercial towers at the development.

Uptown Dubai, formerly known as the Burj 2020 District, is being built on a 106,000 sq m site next to Jumeirah Lakes Towers within the DMCC Free Zone. The original masterplan includes seven towers ranging in height from 60 metres to more than 500 metres. The towers will have commercial, residential and hotel space.

DMCC awarded Belgium’s Six Construct the contract to build a mixed-use high-rise tower as part of the first phase of Uptown Dubai in 2019. The 78-storey tower is about 300 metres tall and has a total gross floor area of about 103,650 sq m.

In June, DMCC appointed UK-based Mace to provide building operations management services for its 81-storey Uptown Tower in Dubai. The 340-metre-tall tower will feature a 188-key, five-star hotel, branded residences, commercial office spaces and restaurants.