Tenders for the renovation of Manama’s Suq is expected to be announced in six months time, and the first phase is expected to be completed in 18 to 24 months from the start date.

The BD5 million ($31.26 million) first phase starts from Bab Al Bahrain in the north and extends to Shaikh Abdulla Avenue in the south, near the old Gold Suq, along with some connecting roads.
It is approximately 300 m in length and the area of the renovation within it is about 18,000 sq m.
Shaded walkways and rest areas, more car parks and shuttle stops are included in the first phase of the suq’s renovation project.
The whole area will be covered with wooden and teflon shades, which will be used to allow light in while keeping the heat out. One area, near Bab Al Bahrain, will even be air-conditioned.
New parking areas will be strategically located in different parts of the suq allowing visitors to leave their cars behind and hop onto a shuttle that will take them closer to their destination.
Some buildings, including private-owned properties, will receive a facelift while others – including the Manama Post office, the Manama Police Station and the Bab Al Bahrain building – will be renovated. A few buildings will also be rebuilt from scratch.
Some properties will also have to be repossessed by the government to make room for car parks, toilets, rest areas and other facilities. The repossession of property is not included in the BD5 million budget.
The project’s designs are based on traditional Bahraini architecture and will include rest areas and other facilities.
The second and third phases of the project, which still have to be studied, include the areas surrounding Bab Al Bahrain Avenue and north of Bab Al Bahrain. The total area is around 100,000 sq m, although the actual parts within that will be worked on will be much less.