Blue Rhine Industries has won the subcontract to install Sphere Abu Dhabi’s exterior LED display, giving a UAE company a prominent role in a $1.7 billion venue project planned for Yas Island.
ALEC Engineering and Contracting selected Blue Rhine to install and commission the screen, Blue Rhine said in an Instagram announcement. ALEC is part of ALEC Holdings. Blue Rhine described the assignment as its largest by scope in its 20-year history.
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi awarded ALEC the main construction contract earlier this year. The $1.7 billion agreement covers the venue’s design, procurement and construction. The department is developing Sphere Abu Dhabi in partnership with Sphere Entertainment.
Known as the Exosphere, the display will cover the outside of the 112-meter-high building. Blue Rhine’s subcontract covers installing the LED screens and commissioning the completed system, including checks before it enters operation. The specialist assignment sits within ALEC’s wider construction work.
Blue Rhine CEO John V. Joseph said in the announcement that the company was proud to take part in the project. Plans also include showing work by Emirati artists on the exterior display, Gulf News reported.
The planned site on Yas Island lies between Yas Mall and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. It is designed to hold as many as 20,000 people for concerts, immersive productions and other events. If completed, it would be the first Sphere venue outside the United States, where the company operates a venue in Las Vegas.
Plans also include concert residencies by regional Arabic and international performers, brand events and product launches, Gulf News reported. The exterior screen is intended to give residents and visitors a visual experience alongside the events held inside.
Construction is targeted for completion by the end of 2029, Gulf News reported.
