Diyar Al Muharraq, a fully-integrated city taking shape off Muharraq, has been making commendable progress despite the current Covid-19 pandemic with several homes now being handed over, and shopping malls and hotels nearing structural completion, all supported by a world-class infrastructure and utilities network.

On a recent press tour, Gulf Construction witnessed first-hand the work in progress at the massive construction site where the master developer Diyar Al Muharraq singly or jointly with Abu Dhabi’s Eagle Hills is creating a sought-after address for future residents and a destination for tourists and visitors.

Diyar Al Muharraq is envisioned to be a comprehensive modern city mirroring the tranquil coastal lifestyle of its neighbouring region and the close-knit community spirit of the Muharraq people.

Al Ammadi ... focus on sustainability.

Diyar Al Muharraq comprises seven man-made islands, which are now fully reclaimed.  It enfolds 10.2 sq km of land.  Currently, work is under way on Phase One comprising the South island which offers an area of 5.3 sq km, where primary infrastructure such as roads, utilities and a treated sewage effluent plant, have been completed.

Also completed are the Canadian School and Kanoo School, which are operational; the 38,000-sq-m Diyar Park; the Dragon Mart; and the iconic Grand Mosque at the entrance to the overall development.

“Some 77 per cent of the space in Phase One has been allocated to residential development, offering affordable, social, mid-income, high-income and luxury homes, ranging in price from BD99,000 to BD600,000 ($261,140 to $1.58 million),” CEO Engineer Ahmed Ali Al Ammadi told Gulf Construction. “Around 60 per cent of the developments are freehold.”

He emphasised that the focus of development has been on social, economic and environmental sustainability of the integrated city.

Work is well under way on a number of residential communities, namely Al Naseem, Al Bareh and Jeewan, as well as the Thai Mart, which is receiving its finishing touches and Souq Al Baraha shopping destination, which is 40 per cent complete.

Al Ammadi, who accompanied journalists on the tour, indicated that remarkable progress has been made on the key projects despite the impacts of the global pandemic on various practices and sectors.

“We have around 7,000 to 8,000 workers coming to the sites at Diyar Al Muharraq every day,” he stated.

He pointed out that 2020 had been a challenging year across the globe, but Diyar Al Muharraq had made every effort to overcome the difficulties through utilising its significant talent pool and resources to ensure business continuity and the completion of its masterplanned projects in a timely manner.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has affected everyone, in the supply chain, in the construction and the sales. Given the conditions, we are proud to say that we have not fallen far behind on our construction schedule, and are pleased with the pace of our current project development as it stands,” he stated. “As we gradually return to normalcy, we remain even more committed to completing our projects and look forward to growth and success with many more accomplishments in the future.”

Masterplan of the Diyar Al Muharraq development.

Residential

Developments include exclusive residential estates, deluxe apartments, traditional-style family villas and affordable social housing projects. All houses are adaptable for double-sided meters, with provisions made for solar power.

Each neighbourhood – from those targeting only Bahrainis, such as Deerat Al Oyoun, Jeewan, Hai Al Noor, Hai Al Sheooq and Sarat, to the ones that offer freehold ownership such as Qamra, Marassi Al Bahrain, Bareh and Al Naseem – have complementary leisure, recreational and support features.

Jeewan housing community currently has a total of 452 homes under construction. Phase One comprising 173 units has been fully completed and will be handed over this month. Phase Two is nearly 98 per cent complete and handovers are ongoing, while work on Phase Three currently stands at 69 per cent completion.  All work on Jeewan is scheduled to complete by May this year.

Meanwhile, at Al Bareh, with Phase One now being handed over, Diyar Al Muharraq is set to launch this year the second phase of this community which offers a variety of freehold residential plots and luxury villas for sale.

The company is also making significant progress on Al Naseem, a distinguished residential community located on an area of 328,000 sq m, with stunning waterfront and city waterway views. It comprises 304 canal-views villas and 500 apartments each in gated and non-gated communities.

Other housing components includes the Deerat Al Oyoum development, which offers 2,100 villas for Bahrainis through the Mazaya social housing scheme, 277 of which have been handed over by Diyar Al Muharraq and the remaining are with Iskan Bank and the Ministry of Housing, according to Al Ammadi; the Sarat, which was sold as ‘build-your-own-houses’ plots to give owners the flexibility to build homes as per their desires; and Diyar Homes, which comprises 600 units, which have been handed over.

Also being developed at Diyar Al Muharraq is Sidra homes, being built by Bin Faqeeh Real Estate Investment Company.

Diyar Marina

In addition, Diyar Al Muharraq will host  the Diyar Marina on a manmade canal, which will berth over 250 boats in water and 50 to 60 vessels on land. 

“We are working on finalising the feasibility (of the marina) and getting the necessary approvals from the government,” Al Ammadi said.

Souq Al Baraha ... inspired by a traditional souq.

Commercial

Work is ongoing at Souq Al Baraha, which replicates a traditional souq with ready-to-rent units offering modern facilities.  More than 40 per cent of the project has been completed which is slated for official opening in the second quarter of 2021.

Souq Al Baraha has a built-up area of 20,242 sq m and covers a total land area of 64,202 sq m. The market contains indoor commercial spaces and various outdoor kiosks. It includes a total leasable space of 13,431 sq m and comprises 468 stores and 20 office units supported by 686 parking spaces.

Diyar Al Muharraq has also added a new retail outlet to its portfolio with Thai Mart, the first Thai-inspired shopping destination in the region, covering an area of 6,000 sq m and offering a wide range of popular products imported from Thailand. Thai Mart is expected to open soon.

Among other components, Hadiqat Al Diyar, an outdoor park and recreational area, is scheduled to open shortly. The 32,800-sq-m garden will offer a number of facilities to cater to all age groups, including outdoor areas for sports and entertainment, and over 200 parking spaces.