THE first two of the iconic skyscrapers that are destined to take shape on Bahrain Bay reached their full height last year, proudly portraying the signature status that will be commanded by each development envisioned within this landmark $2.5-billion masterplanned waterfront community.

This year will see the completion of major office and hospitality projects, as the developer exerts all efforts to ensure that the necessary infrastructure is in place to enable each development to be fully functional from day one of its opening.

Masterplanned by the US-based Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Bahrain Bay comprises a combination of residential, commercial, retail, tourism and community facilities and public amenities located on reclaimed land across the Bahrain World Trade Centre and Bahrain Financial Harbour in the heart of Bahrain’s capital city.

At site on the development just off Manama’s shoreline, work is well under way as contractors working on third-party developments, namely Arabtec, Six Construct (SixCo), Younada, and Bahrain Dutch Foundations, press ahead with their individual assignments to create distinctive structures that the nation could be proud of. There are also a myriad of other local and international subcontractors engaged on the development.

These developments comprise hotels that will be managed by three internationally renowned hotel brands, namely the Four Seasons, JW Marriott and Wyndham Grand, as well as the headquarters of Al Baraka Group, while the latest development to be announced at the waterfront location – the KGH Towers – is expected to move ahead this year.

The ABG headquarters (above) and Wyndham Grand Manama ... nearing completion.

2013 was an exciting year in terms of the third-party developments as three major buildings – namely the ‘H’ shaped Four Seasons hotel, the twisting United Towers (Wyndham Grand Manama) and architecturally striking Al Baraka Group (ABG) headquarters – took shape, Abdulla Al Doseri, deputy CEO of Bahrain Bay Development tells Gulf Construction.

“These buildings in themselves have led to a huge amount of interest from the public and investors alike and as they have now all reached full height. They represent the embodiment of the Bahrain Bay vision, each being iconic constructions in their own right,” says Al Doseri, who has been spearheading the vision of creating a metropolis for the 21st century.

The United Towers (previously known as the Cooperation Investment House tower) will house the first Wyndham Grand property in Bahrain, which will cover 14 floors of the 50-storey mixed-use development and comprise more than 260 spacious guest rooms, ranging from 46 to 120 sq m in size, and five food and beverage outlets. The five-star hotel will also feature 500 sq m of meeting space, a 900-sq-m ballroom on the building’s top floor, indoor and outdoor infinity swimming pools and separate health clubs for men and women.

The Four Seasons hotel, being built by Six Construct, is housed within an iconic 43-storey structure. It will offer 260 guest rooms and boast a penthouse-level “Sky Pod” restaurant and conference facility.

The ABG headquarters comprises two office towers (Buildings A and B) with nine levels above ground plus a mezzanine level, with an approximate gross floor area (GFA) of 22,221 sq m in addition to four basement levels to accommodate 365 cars and other facilities. The two towers share a common podium and ground plaza level, while the upper floors are linked by a bridgeway. Tower A will be leased out while Tower B will house the headquarters of the ABG. The office tower will comprise administrative offices while the podium levels will consist of banking and retail areas, and a VIP reception area.

Outlining the current status of work on these projects, Al Doseri says structural work on all three buildings is complete with cladding and internal fit-out well in progress. Cladding work on the United Towers stands at 90 per cent complete.

Meanwhile, piling is due to be completed this month (January) on the commercial tower that will house the JW Marriott Manama hotel, with main construction works due to commence shortly afterwards.

The commercial tower being developed by Khaleej Capita will consist of five basements and a 50-storey superstructure on the North Island of Bahrain Bay. The five-star hotel, which will be managed by Marriott international’s world-class luxury hotel brand JW Marriott, will have 274 rooms and suites and 102 residences; an executive lounge with ocean views; one casual and five specialty restaurants; four lounges and 17,119 sq ft of meeting space, among other amenities.

Meanwhile, the KGH Towers will host two hotels, serviced apartments, as well as commercial and retail space. Currently, the concept design for the project is being finalised and it is anticipated that the investor – Nama International Real Estate (a fully-owned subsidiary of Kooheji Global Holding) – will break ground in 2014.

The project will comprise two phases, where Phase One will consist of a four-star hotel with around 175 keys, 120 luxury serviced apartments, high-end commercial office space and retail zone and a multi-storey car-park and Phase Two will include a five-star hotel comprising of around 240 rooms.

“The KGH Towers is another landmark project for Bahrain Bay and its location on the development is considered prime,” Al Doseri says.

Following this latest success, Bahrain Bay has been in discussions with a number of other investors, some of which are expected to “join the Bahrain Bay experience in the coming 12 months”, according to him.

And with many projects set for completion in 2014, preparations are under way to ensure that the best infrastructure is in place to facilitate the smooth functioning of these landmark developments. All land parcels are now provided with roads, sewage, water, electricity, district cooling and ICT capabilities,

Al Doseri elaborates: “As with all the Bahrain Bay Development parcels, they are all serviced with district cooling, 11 kV electrical supplies, sewage and stormwater drainage irrigation and lit fibre ICT cabling. In addition, all developments will have signature landscaping on completion to ensure that each project is fully operational on day one of opening. Along with its utility partners, Bahrain Bay carries out detailed co-ordination for each design at an early stage.”

With regard to any infrastructure work still to be implemented, he says: “Primarily, the remaining works consist of landscaping, which is being phased to meet target opening dates. Key tenders for 2014 will be landscaping to the south of the development.”

Work on the project was launched with reclamation on the island development, which was completed in 2009 by the Dutch firm Boskalis. Local company Ahmed Mansour Al A’Ali (AMA) then followed up with the main infrastructure consisting of all the utilities, roads and bridges. Electrical supplies were completed jointly by the local authorities and by AMA in 2011, culminating with the commissioning of a 220-kV substation feeding the four dedicated 66-kV substations.

The project has also benefited for the recent completion of the North Manama Causeway, which has enhanced the visibility of the Bahrain Bay and given residents and investors a full view of its scenic location.

“The North Manama Causeway has clearly raised a lot of interest as for the first time the full development can be circumnavigated by investors and the public alike,” Al Doseri says. “Geographically, it has changed Bahrain Bay into being part of the Manama city centre, instead of an islet offshore.”

As for the challenges faced by Bahrain Bay in implementing projects, given the current scenario in the country and globally, he says the development has suffered no more or less than other developments worldwide due to the economic situation over the past few years.

“Local issues have made little or no impact on the development other than raising awareness of being vigilant. Investment remains buoyant and is now starting to come to fruition,” he concludes.