Construction work is progressing at a rapid pace on the highly prestigious Zamzam Tower, considered to be the first BOT (build-own-operate) project to be implemented in Makkah.

One of the five developments that make up the Al Bait Towers complex, the Zamzam Tower will also be the first Islamic timeshare property, being developed under the Sokouk Al-Intifa’a scheme,which allows Muslims from all over the world regardless of their nationalities to obtain a residential suit in the  tower for the duration of a week or two weeks per year over the next 24 years. The Kuwait-based Munshaat Real Estate Projects Company, which has invested in the development, is the company behind the Sokouk Al-Antifa’a concept.
Zamzam means Holy Water in Arabic and true to the sanctity of its name, the seven-tower complex enjoys a close view of the Grand Mosque, and is considered to be the tallest structure overlooking the Holy Haram and within walking distance of King Abdulaziz Gate. The project sits on the same site that was previously occupied by the historic Ajyad Castle, on land owned by the King Abdulaziz Foundation and dedicated to the two Holy Mosques.
The Saudi Binladin Group is the overall developer of the entire Al Bait Towers complex under a BOT scheme that extends for 24 years. Turner International and Project Analysis & Control Systems (Projacs) are the consultants for the project.
The Zamzam Tower, which has a built-up area of 91,326 sq m, will feature 31 residential floors, containing 1,240 luxurious residential suites. The Munshaat Group has selected Accor to manage the development, which will be known as Zamzam Sofitel Grand Suites.
The five-star hotel complex being built at a total cost of $390 million will include a convention centre, a shopping mall and a floor of restaurants that can seat up to 5,000.  The tower will offer a range of accommodation facilities including two types of studios (33 sq m and 38 sq m respectively), two types of Junior suites (approximately 50 sq m), large suites (55 sq m with two bedrooms rooms and a living room), Amiri suites (76 sq m with two bedrooms and a living room) and royal suites (76 sq m). Most of the suites will be marketed on a time-share basis. Accor will manage all of the establishment’s hotel services. The hotel will have capacity for 6,000 customers and employ 1,500 people, most of them Saudis.
Work on this high-profile development was launched in November 2002 when Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz laid its foundation stone for the project. Initial work involved excavating the surrounding mountains and preparing the site. Following the completion of foundations, work was launched on the massive superstructure using state-of-the-art construction techniques. The contractor has used precast technology, which has enabled work to proceed at a rapid pace so that the tower can be completed and ready for operation by mid-2006.
Zamzam Tower provides a range of unique services and advantages that distinguish it as the best residential project in the Gulf region, says a spokesman for Munshaat. These features include:
• Residential suites, which will be elegantly furnished according to international five-star deluxe standards;
• An architectural concept matching the religious environment of Makkah;
• Direct connection to the open space at the Grand Mosque;
• Close view of the mosque;
• 36 smart elevators to serve the residents and visitors efficiently;
• Hi-tech heating and air-conditioning systems;
• Grand shopping centre covering an area of 70,000 sq m and housing a wide range of leading restaurant chains and shops;
• Customised audio system transmitting Azan and prayers from the Grand Mosque to the residential suites;
• Prayer space inside the complex and neighbouring areas accommodating 50,000 worshippers;
• Parking facility with a capacity of 1,400 cars;
• Ring road linking the complex to the rest of Makkah area;
• Flexible interior design dividing the tower suites into five different types; and
• Round-the-clock security system.
Munshaat Real Estate Projects Company is a joint venture between Aref Investment Group and the International Leasing and Investment Company. 
Elaborating on the differences between Sokouk Al Intefa’a and the conventional time share concepts, the spokesman says: “The sokouk gives the flexibility to divide the week into weekends (three nights) and weekdays and allows two different people to use it in one year, while the time share does not. The sokouk can be sold or leased and the duration of the sokouk or the type of housing units can be changed.  There is no need to make prior reservation of the unit and the sokouk is very flexible, allowing the rights of use to others for one or more years.”