Work on the $3 billion Durrat Al Bahrain, the largest mixed-use residential, leisure and tourist destination is steaming ahead to meet the 2009 deadline for its completion.

“Within 24 months we have completed all the reclamation, made all the bridges and we are very proud of it. Hopefully by the end of this year residents would start moving in. We had signed a contract worth BD250 million ($596.8 million) for the reclamation, construction of bridges, infrastructural work and building some 1,000 houses,” says Jassim Ahmed Al Jowder, CEO of Durrat, a project in which the Bharain government and Kuwait Finance House (KFH), Bahrain have equal stake.
Referring to the investment on the huge project which, at 21 million sq m is equal to the size of Manama, Jowder says: “We initially raised $150 million through a sukuk and thereafter we have been raising money through the sale of the residential property being built on Durrat. For the Crescent part of the project we have come out with a fresh masterplan which will house five-star hotels. Construction of the villas is in full swing. We now want to construct the hotels, malls and the commercial district and are working with hotel groups but have not finalised anything yet. Hopefully we will do it soon.”
Durrat Al Bahrain is a world-class development that offers a lifestyle experience unrivalled in the Middle East.
In addition to the Commercial Crescent, the unique features of Durrat Al Bahrain include six Atoll Islands, five Petal Islands, a stand alone-island set to house a five-star family hotel and resort, a state-of-the-art marina and a world-class 18-hole golf course, all of which is being developed in phases.
The first phase of the development involves the construction of 390 villas on three islands – two Atoll islands and one Petal island, names used to distinguish the size and design of the these unique formations. The construction of the first phase will be over by the end of this year, says Mohammed Al Goud, sales executive, Durrat Al Bahrain.
At full capacity, Durrat will accommodate more than 50,000 full-time residents and receive around 4,500 visitors a day.
The project aims to create some 890 villas and about 65 per cent of them have been booked, he adds.
World-renowned Australian firm Woods Bagot was selected to put forth a dynamic concept for the development of the project’s Commercial Crescent.
The vision presented by the firm combines the unique features of Durrat Al Bahrain, leveraging the water views and natural beauty of the surrounding environment for the benefit of all investors, residents and the many commercial ventures that will become part of the Durrat Al Bahrain community.
Plans introduced by Woods Bagot are based on a number of beautifully elegant and distinctively powerful drivers expected to make the Crescent a vibrant hub of urban living and commercial activity whilst preserving the serenity of the Durrat Al Bahrain lifestyle.
Key among the design elements are breathtaking views, tranquil gardens, a thriving promenade and piazza, public beaches and a creek and canal waterway paradise — all of which will be lined with dozens of shops, restaurants and cafes.
Other conveniences such as a large-scale modern shopping mall, Arab suq, local markets, health centres, spas, schools and a mosque have also been planned so to create an active community atmosphere in the heart of the Crescent.
The Crescent will be divided into six distinctive zones that will have their own theme and feel whilst flowing into Durrat Al Bahrain’s overall concept and design. Each zone will offer a myriad of lifestyles with residential spaces comprised of modern office and apartment complexes, high-rise tower apartments and smaller luxury villas, all located within minutes of the vibrant and all inclusive urban setting.
Serving as the pinnacle of the Crescent will be a number of monumental structures including the 300-m-Durrat Central Tower. The Tower will be located right at the centre of Durrat Al Bahrain and will be both an icon for the development as well as Bahrain.
With the introduction of the unique vision for the Crescent and the bustling community it will create, investors and commercial companies from all around the world are now being invited to invest in this unique and developing resort city centre. The Commercial Crescent is expected to become one of the top retail and commercial destinations for a multitude of visitors and tourists as well as residents of Durrat Al Bahrain themselves.
The Crescent’s zones will consist of many unique plots of varying sizes; however, each has been established to ensure maximum benefit and investment value for both residential and commercial buyers. 
The masterplanner and architects of Durrat Al Bahrain is WS Atkins, the renowned engineering design and consultancy, and the project is being developed and managed by KMC Bovis.