Reclamation work on the $2.5 billion man-made island – The Pearl-Qatar – being built offshore the Qatari capital of Doha, is running a month ahead of schedule.

First signs of the rediscovered island emerging from the sea are now clearly visible from the city’s prestigious West Bay Lagoon area.
“Early completion of this first phase will allow piling contractors on-site to drive piles for the first seven of the 21, 20-storey towers which will surround the island’s main marina,” said Nick Bashkiroff, development director, of the project.
The first phase of reclamation work, which began in April this year, is due for completion this month with some four million cu m of sand having been lifted and 1.7 sq m of land being reclaimed, he adds.
“Progress has been swift largely due to the shallow waters in the area,” said Abdul Rahman Abdulghani, chairman, Qatar Dredging Company.
The company was awarded the 21-month contract to reclaim 998 acres of land, which will make up The Pearl-Qatar.
Qatar Dredging’s contract with United Development Company (UDC), the promoter and developer of The Pearl-Qatar, includes all reclamation work and revetment for shore protection and quay walls. The project is due for total completion in 2009.
The Pearl-Qatar is being reclaimed to 2.5 m above sea level and in all, some 14 million cu m of sand being lifted for the project.
The first phase of the marina is due for completion in late 2006 when the first investors are due to take up residency on this Riviera-style island. In all, some 30,000 residents are expected to eventually live on The Pearl-Qatar in an up-scale, multi-cultural island retreat.
The Pearl-Qatar is being built 350 m offshore the West Bay Lagoon area. Whilst offering an exclusive retreat, the island will also be closely integrated with, and have easy access to, the capital’s thriving community.
The four-phase development comprises 10 distinctly themed districts to be developed over five years and will include luxury hotels, four marinas with combined mooring for over 700 boats, and 60,000 sq m of luxury retail and restaurant space, he adds.