Dubai-based construction firm Arabtec Holdings has been awarded a US$653m contract to build the Abu Dhabi branch of France's Louvre museum, according to Reuters.

Awarded by Abu Dhabi's Tourism Development and Investment Company, the contract will see construction begin immediately with the museum expected to open in 2015.

Abu Dhabi Louvre was designed by French architect Jean Nouvel and will be located on the Saadiyat Island's Cultural District complex.

The museum is a joint venture between the governments of Abu Dhabi and France and will contain archaeological artefacts and works of art from a wide range of periods and cultures with universal themes and common influences highlighted.

There are plans for two other museums near the downtown area, the Guggenheim of the United States and the Zayed National Museum.

Both projects were postponed last year due to the economic conditions. Originally, all three of the Abu Dhabi museums were to be built between 2013 and 2014.

The Guggenheim is now slated for 2017 and the Zayed National Museum for 2016.