Renovation and retrofit MEP in Khalifa City 

Renovation and retrofit MEP in Khalifa City: local context

Khalifa City is a suburban district on the mainland between Abu Dhabi airport and Yas Island, made up of large villa plots, private palaces, schools, mosques and neighbourhood retail, with mid-rise apartment buildings in some sectors. It has grown steadily since the 2000s as a family area. Manolia completed the MEP works for a school project here.

• Schools need fresh-air AHUs with energy recovery and dehumidification, CO2-based ventilation control, and fire alarm and public address systems integrated for safe evacuation.
• Large villa and palace plots often use chilled-water or multi-zone VRF plant, with majlis halls, kitchens and staff quarters each zoned separately.
• Inland mainland sites bring dust and high summer temperatures, so plant is derated and air intakes protected with sand-trap louvres and good filtration.

Building types we serve in Khalifa City

For malls and retail centres, the work concentrates on large-volume air handling, tenant-ready chilled water or refrigerant capacity, smoke extraction for atriums and car parks and food-court exhaust.

Scope of work

• Capacity checks on existing chilled water, electrical supply and water storage to confirm whether new tenants, kitchens or extra floors can be served without upgrades.
• Fit-out MEP for offices, shops, restaurants, clinics and apartments within existing buildings, connected to base-building systems according to landlord technical requirements.
• Coordination with building management for permits to work, isolations, noise windows, lift use and protection of common areas during the works.
• Testing, commissioning and as-built documentation of all new and modified systems, including re-balancing of the existing systems affected by the changes.

Systems we install

• New AHUs, fresh-air units and fan coil units in existing ceiling voids.
• Replacement water and drainage pipework and new wet areas for fit-outs.

UAE site and climate challenges

• Corroded pipework and equipment in coastal buildings may leak when isolated and disturbed. Surveys identify high-risk areas, and replacement plans add new isolation valves, drain points and protection of finishes and tenants' goods below.
• Hot, humid roof voids above top-floor units in older buildings often contain poorly insulated ducts and pipes that sweat and drip. Retrofit packages replace damaged insulation and vapour barriers, and add roof insulation where the owner agrees, before re-balancing those floors.
• Phased versus full shutdown: phased work keeps a building occupied and earning but takes longer and needs temporary services, while a short full shutdown is faster when tenants can be relocated.

Relevant Manolia projects

Al Bahar Palace, Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi · HVAC · Completed

HVAC design & installation, fresh/extract air, plus swimming-pool works.

MEP

Aircraft-maintenance training school, Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi · MEP · Completed

MEP package for a technical training facility near Abu Dhabi Airport; separate AMC for A/C and plumbing.

Frequently asked questions