Sweid & Sweid has completed the successful handover of the prestigious Visa Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEMEA) headquarters development, located in Dubai Internet City. The build-to-suit project was delivered on schedule over a fast-track programme of two years – a task made more challenging with the onset of Covid-19, which occurred midway through the project build.

The G+5 building, which has been the recipient of numerous awards including Best Office Architecture and Office Development in Dubai at the International Property Awards, and Best Office Architecture and Office Development at the Arabia Property Awards 2020, is designed to be an “office of the future”.

The project offers the level of flexibility required to accommodate the future needs of the world’s leader in digital payments, with hot desks, breakout spaces and collaboration zones to encourage innovation. The project also features four basement levels, as well as an activated urban frontage that integrates with the public realm and gives prominence to the entrance.

From the regional headquarters, Visa will serve almost 90 countries. Maher Sweid, managing partner of Sweid & Sweid, said: “Visa entrusted Sweid & Sweid to deliver a fit-for-purpose headquarters from which they can continue their growth across the region. The project has been an outstanding success, and the client is very happy with the outcome, which is testament to the efforts of the team involved in its delivery.”

The Visa CEMEA headquarters is now open to employees, and will serve as a destination from where staff, clients, and partners can collaborate and develop solutions for the digital commerce and payment sectors.