The five-star 15-storey extension of the Diplomat Radisson SAS Hotel, Bahrain, moved a step closer with the signing of a $15.6 million contract between the hotel's owners, Bahrain's National Hotels Company and Indian construction and engineering giant Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T).

The landmark contract covers the construction of the new 22,000 sq m hotel and serviced apartment extension, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2005.
The expansion will double the built up area of the hotel complex and will feature a combination of one-, two- and three-bedroomed, generously proportioned serviced apartments, and a limited number of VIP penthouse suites.
National Hotels Company (NHC) chairman Ahmed Abdul Rahman Al Zayani and L & T vice-president Vivek Gadgil signed the contract on March 15.
The new project is expected to create 150 to 200 jobs. The hotel now has 246 rooms and employs about 300 to 350 people, 40 per cent of whom are Bahraini.
The new 16-storey structure will boast 121 deluxe apartments of one to three bedrooms, and luxury penthouse suites, within a total built-up area of 22,000
sq m.
As the site enjoys a prominent location overlooking the Muharraq bay, striking gold-coloured high-performance double-glazed curtain walling has been selected for use on the building.
Aluminium composite cladding panels, which complement the glazing, will also be used for the facades.
There will be four turrets, when back-lit at night, will visually bring to mind traditional lanterns.